Helping Children in Need

Create your own toy drive and have your children help. Do some research and choose a charitable organization that accepts your type of donations as well as one that "moves" you.

Holidays 2011

The Justin Charity Bear Fund - a NJ boy's goal this season is to give 1,000 bears to sick & needy kids in NJ; they exceeded that goal in 2010 but need help to do it again this year
Holiday Fashion Show - holiday fashion show on Dec. 3, 2011 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ
Books for Kids - the Warren Library is accepting new books for kids up to 18 years old until Dec. 3
NJ Operation Toy Train - on Dec 10 & 11, a special train to collect toy donations from the public for Toys for Tots; specifics on the train schedule and which train stops will collect toys
Annual Toy Drive - Beechwood Heights Fire Co#2 hosting drive for new, unwrapped toys for kids up to 18 years old; the drive will be every Saturday from Nov. 26 to Dec. 10; toys also can be dropped off at L&M Dance Wear in Middlesex; for more info, call Vic Capolunghi at 732-356-0063.
Community Food Bank of NJ - Annual Turkey Drive starts November 19 to collect frozen turkeys & canned, non-perishable food items at locations throughout NJ; also has other initiatives for helping kids
Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree - you can donate online through JC Penney or go to the Bridgewater Commons Mall and pick a tag to fulfill someone's wish this holiday season

Check our holiday listings page for other charity events

Kids Helping Kids

Lemonade Stands for Red Cross - kids can get free lemonade stands to raise money for the Tri-County American Red Cross (serving Union, Somerset & Middlesex counties)
The Justin Charity Bear Fund - an 8-year-old NJ boy & his father created this charity to make bears at Build-A-Bear and distribute them to needy & sick NJ kids

Hospital Donation Programs

Many children's programs at local hospitals gladly accept monetary and toy donations for patients and visiting children. For sanitary reasons, nearly all require new toy donations but please check the hospitals' program guidelines.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital - the child life program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick (Middlesex County) has a long wish list
Children's Hospital of New Jersey - at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark (Essex County); accepts new toys, games, some clothes and more. They even have an Amazon registry established through Child's Play Charity
Children's Specialized Hospital - They have an Amazon registry through Child's Play Charity
The Children's Hospital at St. Peter's University Hospital - located in New Brunswick (Middlesex County); make a playroom donation

Other Organizations Helping NJ Kids

Hearts & Crafts Counseling (Ramsey)- a nonprofit, counseling service dedicated to helping children and teens cope with various issues including divorce, abuse and loss of a loved one
Project Linus - donate or make new, handmade blankets to children with cancer; New Jersey chapters include those serving Bergen, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris & Warren counties and Linden, Westhampton and Mt. Holly
Fight for Frankie - a grassroots effort to raise money to help 3-year-old Frankie's family pay for his medical care (to treat neuroblastoma) that is not covered by insurance
Big Hearts to Little Hearts (Spring Lake) - a nonprofit committed to supporting research and care for pediatric cardiac patients
The Children's Home Society - mission is to find loving families for children, protect children from harm, and help parents find better ways to be parents so they can keep their children
Ronald McDonald House Charities - the Southern NJ House in Camden has a wish list; the Long Branch & New Brunswick House has a wish list through their "donate" tab; There also are Family Rooms at several area hospitals
Child's Play Charity - Since 2003, more than $3.5 million dollars in donations of toys, games, books and cash for sick kids in children’s hospitals across North America. NJ participating hospitals include Children's Hospital of NJ and Children's Specialized Hospital
Toys for Tots - the Marine Toys for Tots nonprofit that usually runs big toy drives during the holidays but you can also search for NJ drop off locations.
Goodwill - use the locator to find a place near you
Second Chance Toys - accepts gently used toys, mostly plastic, and redistributes them to children in need through local groups; collections are done in April for Earth Day and before the winter holidays. See the site for current info & NJ drop-off locations
Pajama Program - New Jersey chapter; provides new pajamas & new books to children waiting to be adopted
The Children's Home - with locations in Mt. Holly (Burlington County) & Ewing Township (Mercer County), Children's home provides special education, residential treatment and emergency shelter to emotionally disadvantaged, at-risk girls and boys, ages 11-17, throughout New Jersey. Ways to donate.
The Children's Home Society of NJ - located in Trenton, its mission is to find loving families for children, to protect children from harm and help parents find better ways to be parents so they can keep their children

Give the Gift of Reading

The Bridge of Books Foundation - located in Rumson (Monmouth County)  and accepts new and used books for children
Reach Out and Read - gently used or new books are welcome. NJ locations to donate books or money or  volunteer
First Book - provides new books to needy children from books received directly from publishers. The public can donate money (every $2 donation provides one new book) or volunteer locally - such as with a NJ Advisory Board

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