Welcome to our guide of local places where children can make positive contributions in our community by volunteering their time. Click on the pink title for relevant links with more information on each opportunity.
Online
Earn community service by reviewing teen books! The Monmouth County Library is looking for teens in grades 7-12 who would be willing to read a teen novel and write a brief review. The participant must be between grades 7-12 and is limited to 4 book reviews per month. Books chosen for review must be at an appropriate reading level. Hours Given: 1 hour per book Length of review: Min 100 Words, Max 300 Words
Red Bank, NJ
Are you between the ages of 5 and 12? Want to learn how to cook? Sign-up for Lunch Break’s Kids Cooking Class on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30. All meals prepared are served the next day at Lunch Break. Students learn about kitchen safety, sanitation, cooking methods, knife skills, proper measurement, and kitchen tool identification. Class size is limited - register in advance with Melia Owens at 732.747.8577, ext 3022 or mowens@lunchbreak.org and tell them you saw it on Macaroni Kid.
Middletown Township Public Library
Middletown, NJ
Come in once a week for 1-2 hours to help with general library activities. These will be shelving books, moving books, neatening the shelves, making sure books are in order, and helping with craft and activity preparation. Help out with Children’s, Tween, and Teen Programs at the library. Programs can be a regular, weekly or monthly assignment, or a one time event. You can also join the Teen Advisory Board.
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
patty.bartiromo.bbbnj@gmail.com
Blessing Bag Brigade is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to show compassion and humanitarianism to those in need. They need volunteers for supply drives, packing events, fundraising, and more. Contact them at the email provided about to find out how you can help. Make sure to tell them you saw it on Macaroni Kid.
Neptune City, NJ
732.775.1140
Teens can help to clear out the thrift store and organize goods. Younger kids may want to organize collections of new toys and clothing for approximately 600 children they help during the holidays.
Spring Lake, NJ
732.546.8805
Kids can help out at adoption events and fundraisers with this animal rescue and shelter. Volunteer opportunities also include walking and socializing dogs, as well as fostering an animal. They have several events in January at Pet Supplies Plus in Wall; Hungry Puppy in Farmingdale; PetSmart in Manalapan, Brick and Ocean; Pet Valu in Jackson; PetSmart in Ocean, Georgies Bar in Asbury Park; and for Strut Your Mutt at Arbor Terrace in Middletown.
The Oceans Family Success Center
Asbury Park, NJ
732.455.5272
During the holidays, the center is looking for donations of new coloring books. The center has two playrooms that kids can use with their parent or guardian’s supervision, and they always need toys for kids to play with on site. Toys can be dropped off year-round at the center, which is located at 1201 Springwood Avenue, Unit 105 in Asbury Park. To coordinate a donation, call 732-455-5272. They also need help decorating around the office, and welcome artists to help with coloring projects. Call the same number to coordinate a coloring trip!
Neptune, NJ and Toms River, NJ
732.918.2600
The food bank always needs volunteers; kids must be over 13 to work at the facilities in Neptune and Toms River. Younger kids can host food drives to collect food.
Macaroni Kid Lincroft-Holmdel-Tinton Falls
Online
staceyj@macaronikid.com
Earn community service hours by helping us fill our event calendar! Macaroni Kid Lincroft-Holmdel-Tinton Falls is always looking for reliable teen volunteers in grades 8 -12. Kids will assist with finding local events in the 17 towns that we cover and entering the event details into our website's calendar using a link that we provide to the volunteer.
Do you know of another organization that can use some volunteers? Please e-mail details of the volunteer opportunities for kids to staceyj@macaronikid.com.
