Kids Hold Fundraiser for Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity

Toms River, NJ (November 21, 2023) A group of six kids aged 8-13 years old spent this past summer making a difference for Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity by holding a bracelet fundraiser in Lavallette, NJ.

Every year, each child comes to Lavallette with their families from different states to spend the summer in their vacation homes. Emma, Bryce, Gianna, Kaitlyn, Mary, and Maggie developed a close relationship from living close by and spending a lot time together each summer.

At first, this fundraiser started with 5 of the kids selling bracelets for cancer. This year, the group asked Maggie Cookson, a St. Joseph’s Grade School student, to join their fundraiser. When it was time for them to decide where the proceeds would go this summer, Maggie suggested Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity.

“My friend Sarah’s mom is the Executive Director of Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity. Sarah was telling me about Habitat and I decided to join the Habitat Club at my school this year,” Maggie, 12, said.

In total, the group made around 700 bracelets that were glass bead, moon, and clay styles. They viewed bracelets as a quick and easy item to fundraise with, especially with the tourists taking a liking to them in Lavallette during the summer months.

“We started out going door to door selling the bracelets. Then we started selling them outside my house because people had to walk past us to get to the beach. We did this a couple of days per week. It was a bonding moment for us and to know that what we were doing was going towards people in need in our community made it even better. We call ourselves the Ocean Beach Bracelet Society,” said Maggie.

The Ocean Beach Bracelet Society plans to continue fundraising every summer for different causes. Their efforts this year will be going towards our 23rd home build in Berkeley Township.

Maggie’s favorite quote is by Jackie Chan: “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.”

About Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity
Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, a New Jersey-based affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, was founded in 1999. Through volunteerism, skilled labor, and donations of money and materials, the organization rehabilitates and builds safe houses alongside its homeowner/ partner families. Northern Ocean Habitat also operates the ReStore, a retail shop that generates funds through sales of donated goods and keeps materials out of landfills. The ReStore proceeds are to support new home builds and its Neighborhood Revitalization programs. The Neighborhood Revitalization initiative includes the Home Preservation, Housing Plus Aging in Place, A Brush with Kindness, and Veteran Repair programs. These programs provide home renovations addressing health and/or safety issues, all with the goal of keeping residents in the comfort of their own homes. To learn more, visit https://northernoceanhabitat.o...