Tis the season to give back! Make your list, check it twice, and then check out our list of how to get involved and volunteer in Hoboken and Jersey City this December. From happy hours to workouts to shopping that gives back, there are feel good fun activities for the whole family – furry friends included! Here is the list of December 2017 volunteering opportunities in Hoboken and Jersey City:
Kick Cancer’s @$$ Fitness Donation Class with Bachata and Barbells at Intrepid Gym: Friday, December 1st at 7:15pm
Start your weekend out right with a workout that will make you feel good inside and out! Join @bachataandbarbells to raise money for Kira from New York Bully Crew and help her kick cancer’s @$$. New York Bully Crew rescued Kira from Puerto Rico and this sweet pup is currently being fostered by Lauren of @passion.for.pitties. Unfortunately, she was recently re-diagnosed with cancer and needs to go through chemotherapy and radiation. A $15 donation gets you into class and all proceeds go to Kira’s treatment. Bonus, you can meet her there! More information can be found here.
Stop, Drop and Crawl – A First Responder Themed Bar Crawl at White Eagle Hall: Saturday, December 2nd at 2:30pm
Kick off the holiday season and party for good cause with the Jersey City Fire Department at the Stop, Drop and Crawl Bar Crawl. Start your day at 2:30pm at White Eagle Hall and hit up neighborhood favorites like Healy’s, Pet Shop, and Lucky 7. The crawl culminates at 8pm with a show by hometown rockers MoTHER back at White Eagle Hall. Portions of ticket sales will benefit the Jersey City Fire Department Holiday Toy Drive and everyone is asked to bring a new toy to donate. Get more info and buy tickets ($25 for first responders and military, $30 for civilians) here.
7th Annual Jersey City Ties Holiday Toy Drive and Happy Hour at HopsScotch: Saturday, December 2nd from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Get in the holiday spirit with Jersey City Ties at their 7th Annual Holiday Toy Drive and Happy Hour. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card appropriate for kids ages 5 – 17 to benefit members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County. Don’t have time to hit up the toy store? Cash donations are also welcome and will be matched by Jersey City Ties up to $350! If you can’t make it on the 2nd but would like to contribute, contact info@jerseycityties.com to donate. More information about Jersey Ties and the happy hour can be found here.
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Ride at CycleBar: Sunday, December 3rd at 12:00pm
Burn off those holiday treats and support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – New Jersey Chapter with a special ride at CycleBar. Registration is $25 and 100% of the proceeds support the work of AFSP; the largest suicide prevention organization in the United States. Class starts at 12:00pm but arrive 15 minutes early to get yourself set up. Questions? Email Elizabeth at eroithmayr@afsp.org. Register for your spot here.
OUTWOD Fitness Event at Intrepid Gym: Sunday, December 3rd from 9:45am to 11:30am
OUTWOD is the largest international initiative for bringing together LGBT+ athletes and their allies to raise funds for local charitable organizations and they’re making their NJ debut in the Mile Square! Sweat through an inclusive, high-intensity interval training workout and support Garden State Equality. No experience is required and athletes of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels are welcome. Registration is $25. Lock in your place and learn more about OUTWOD and Garden State Equality here.
Santa Photos with Hudson County CASA at the W Hotel and Pilsener Haus and Biergarten: Sunday, December 3rd
Still need a photo with the big guy for holiday cards or just for fun? You’re in luck! Visit Santa in TWO locations on December 3rd. If you’re an early bird he’ll be at the W Hotel in Hoboken from 9:30am to 2:30pm. If the afternoon is more your speed catch him at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten in Jersey City from 12:30pm to 5:30pm. $50 gets you 5 – 10 digital photos and priority appointments can be made for $150. The event is sponsored by Hudson County CASA and proceeds benefit children in foster care. Holiday win! Check out more information here.
Cat Adoption Event at Hoboken Pet: Sunday, December 3rd from 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Find a furry friend at Hoboken Pet on JerseyCats Adoption day at Hoboken Pet. JerseyCats is dedicated to improving the live of homeless cats and kittens through rescue and adoption. Landlord doesn’t allow pets? Check out their website here to learn about more volunteer opps or make a donation.
Liberty Humane Society Pet Photos with Santa: Sunday, December 3rd from 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Who says that Santa Claus photos are just for kids? Bring your furbabies to the Liberty Humane Society to meet and take a photo with the man himself. A $20 donation gets you a glossy photo of your pet and Santa and supports the great work the Liberty Humane Society does all year long. Perfect timing for holiday cards and gifting! Get the details here.
Hudson School Book Fair Shopping Party at Little City Books: Tuesday, December 5th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Let your holiday shopping do double duty! Pick up some great new reads or classic favorite and support the Hudson School with your purchase. Swing by Little City Books on December 5th for Hudson School’s annual book fair shopping party and 20% of your purchase will be donated to the school. Busy that day? Shop from December 2nd to December 10th and mention Hudson School to be a part of the fundraiser. More information here.
TRUEMentors Holiday Soiree at The Hub: Wednesday, December 6th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Eat, drink and be giving with TRUEMentors! Come celebrate their amazing volunteers and supporters and spread some holiday cheer. Tickets are $10 and cover appetizers and drink specials — 100% of the proceeds go directly toward funding mentoring opportunities for Hoboken children. Get your ticket and more information here.
Making Merry for the Hairy Shelter Pet Holiday Party at The Archer: Wednesday, December 6th from 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Raise a glass to support shelter pets this holiday season with the Liberty Humane Society. All proceeds from Tito’s vodka cocktails will be donated to LHS {vodka sodas anyone?!} $5 suggested donation at the door. Bring friends for a night of holiday revelry, live music, and saving animals. More information here.
Strong as a Mother Party for a Cause at Birch: Saturday, December 9th from 3:00pm – 5:30pm
Show a Hoboken family what our community is all about! A local mom was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and her medical and childcare bills are mounting. Join Little Hoboken in supporting her with a party that’s a blast for the whole family. The event features a performance by Songs for Seeds, balloon animals, crafts, treats and a cash bar. There will be a raffle as well and all proceeds from that and tickets will be donated to the family in need. Family tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.
Madison Rose Heart Project Spirits and Cheer Event at Black Rail Coffee: Sunday, December 10th from 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Spread cheer with the Madison Rose Heart Project at Black Rail Coffee. Enjoy wine, coffee, cocktails, chocolates and small bites as well as raffle giveaways featuring gifts and goodies from around town. The Madison Rose Heart Project is a non-profit foundation raising awareness about Congenital Heart Defects and supporting the CHD community. Tickets to the event are $25 and all proceeds will benefit the foundation, named in memory of little Madison Rose. Consider bringing some new infant items (clothes, diapers, etc.) for donation as well — they’ll be distributed to families in need! Guests must be 21 and over, more information and tickets can be found here.
14th Annual Hoboken Shelter Auction at BIRCH: Wednesday, December 13th from 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Support the Hoboken Shelter’s mission this holiday season with drinks specials, light apps and the always amazing silent auction and tricky tray prizes. Bring friends to help celebrate this amazing local organization. Get tickets and more information, here.
1st Annual Jingle Bell 5K at Pier A Park: Saturday, December 16th from 9:00am – 12:00pm
Get out your ugly sweater and lace up your sneaks for the inaugural Hoboken Jingle Bell 5K and 1-mile fun run. The fun run kicks off at 9:30am and the 5K follows at 10:00am. Bring the whole family! Register for the race, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation here.
Hoboken Museum Craft Fair at the Museum and Walkway: Saturday, December 16th and Sunday, December 17th from 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Shop local and support the Hoboken Historical Museum this year! Stop by to pick up a unique gift for everyone on your list. Handmade jewelry, household items, historic prints and more will be on sale both inside the museum and out on the walkway. Check out their official page for a full list of artisans and items and more information.
Hoboken Holiday Market for Charity at the W Hotel: Tuesday, December 19th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Be a part of the first ever Hoboken Girl Holiday market for charity! Score gifts for your whole crew from local Etsy shop and boutique owners and feel warm and fuzzy about the fact that 100% of proceeds will support the the Dustin and Daniel Friedland scholarship foundation. Check out our full post for more details and snag your $10 tickets here. See ya there! {PS: We are also looking for event volunteers; if interested in helping out, please email hobokengirlteam@gmail.com}.
Lunchtime Volunteers Needed at St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church: Monday, December 25th from 8:00am – 12:00pm
Give back on Christmas Day by serving food, organizing and distributing donations, or putting in a little elbow grease in the parish hall of St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church. Their goal is to provide our neighbors with a warm meal, a compassionate community and a peaceful place to spend the morning. If you’ll be away for the holiday, there’s plenty of time to volunteer during the rest of the month and into the new year. They’re open Monday – Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00pm every week. No worries if you can’t stay for the whole 4 hours, come for as long as you can. More information can be found here.
Project H.E.R.O.I.S.M New Year’s Event at Monroe Gardens Community Room: Thursday, December 28th from 9:00am – 4:00pm
Kids in first grade and older can celebrate an early NYE with Project H.E.R.O.I.S.M! They’ll spend time with other service minded little ones, learn about New Year celebrations around the world and create projects to continue the celebration at home. There will also be lunch, a holiday movie and Bingo. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here. Here’s to 2018!
Ongoing:
Daymaker: Fulfill a little one’s holiday wish with this online giving platform that gives personal gifts to kids in need. Select a child here, then pick a gift from their wishlist, and it will be sent right to them!
Little City Books: Samantha Glass Book Drive
WISE Animal Rescue: Donate dog toys, treats, food and accessories at Prime Real Estate, Hoboken Pet and Cornerstone Pets through the end of December. Email hobokengirlhelps@gmail.com for a detailed list of needed items and more information.
Alba Boutique: Donate clothing, toiletries and non-perishables at any Alba location to support the Kid’s Dream Big Foundation through December 17th. Get a $5 credit for each item you donate!
WomenRising: Gather a group of colleagues and friends to participate in a Holiday Toy Drive. Email info@womenrising.org for more information
Toys for Tots @NJ Beer Co: Stop by NJ Beer Co in North Bergen on Wednesday, December 13th with a toy to donate and receive a percentage off your tab! Toys will be collected through December 19th.
Help Rebuild Iglesia Escuela Castillo Fuerte in Puerto Rico: This private school was devastated by hurricane Maria. Read more and support rebuilding, here.
Hoboken Family Alliance Book & Pajama Drive: Books and Pajamas for kids aged newborn – 17 can be dropped off at the following Hoboken spots through December 22nd – Big Fun Toys, Little City Books, Apple Montessori, New York Sports Club North, PilsenerHaus & Biergarten, Diamond Gymnastics, Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts. If you can’t make it in person, a donation can be made here!
Have another way to give back this December? Let us know in the comments or at hobokengirlhelps@gmail.com. Happy volunteering!
