The Ocean County Business Association (OCBA) is proud to help spread the word about two opportunities to support local children and families this holiday season.
OCBA member Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) is organizing its 2026 Holiday Gift Drive and hosting Paws & Claus, a festive fundraising event featuring photos with Santa, family activities, raffles, and opportunities for local businesses to get involved.
Whether you’re a business owner looking to give back, a family hoping to enjoy a fun holiday outing, or someone who simply wants to help make the season brighter for a young person in need, there are several ways to participate.
Making the Holidays Brighter for Local Youth
Ocean Partnership for Children supports approximately 1,100 young people every day, providing services to youth with mental health and developmental needs.
This holiday season, OPC is collecting gifts for young people up to age 21 who are experiencing financial hardship.
Through its Holiday Gift Drive, community members can purchase gifts directly from OPC’s online gift registry, helping provide meaningful holiday surprises for the youth they serve.
The holiday gift registry will remain open through November 30, 2026.
Three Easy Ways You Can Help
1. Organize a fundraiser at your business
Local businesses can organize a workplace collection or an online fundraiser, then use the money raised to purchase items from OPC’s holiday wishlist.
Consider inviting employees, customers, friends, or social media followers to participate. Even a small group effort can make a meaningful difference.
2. Display the Holiday Gift Drive flyer
Help spread awareness by posting the gift drive flyer at your storefront, office, or workplace. Encourage employees and customers to scan the registry QR code and consider purchasing an item.
3. Share the holiday wishlist
You don’t need to organize a formal fundraiser to help. Sharing the gift registry with friends, family, coworkers, and social media followers can introduce the drive to people who might otherwise never hear about it.
The more people who know about the opportunity, the more potential support OPC can receive.
Paws & Claus: Holiday Fun for a Great Cause
Looking for a festive way to celebrate the season while supporting an important local organization? Join Ocean Partnership for Children for Paws & Claus, a holiday fundraising event at Icarus Brewing in Brick Township.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Icarus Brewing
2045 Route 88, Brick Township, NJ 08724
The event will feature:
- Professional holiday photos with Santa for pets and families
- Food and refreshments
- Raffles and a 50/50 drawing
- A vendor village featuring local businesses
- Door prizes and holiday fun
Event tickets include professional pet and family photos, food, and a door prize entry. Bring a gift from OPC’s holiday registry to receive an additional door prize entry!
It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the holidays, enjoy time with family and pets, and support a local organization serving Ocean County youth.
Local Businesses: Sponsorship Opportunities Are Available
Ocean Partnership for Children is also seeking businesses and community partners to sponsor Paws & Claus.
Sponsorships help offset event expenses while providing participating businesses with opportunities for recognition and community involvement. Several sponsorship levels are available:
| Sponsorship | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Season of Giving — Exclusive Venue Sponsor | $3,000 |
| Holiday Hopps | $1,500 |
| Comfort & Joy | $700 |
| Santa Paws | $300 |
| Vendor Table | $50 |
Depending on the sponsorship level, benefits may include event tickets, drink tokens, recognition on marketing materials, social media spotlights, event signage, and opportunities to provide promotional materials to attendees.
Local vendors can also participate in the event’s vendor village, with a limited number of tables available.
Interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor? Contact Jessica Pepe, Development Coordinator, at development@oceanpartnership.org for sponsorship information and availability.
You Don’t Have to Be a Sponsor to Make a Difference
One of the best things about this holiday initiative is that businesses and individuals can participate in ways that fit their circumstances.
You can sponsor the event, purchase gifts from the registry, organize a workplace fundraiser, display a flyer, or simply share the information with others. Every effort helps raise awareness and encourages community participation.
The holiday season is an opportunity for Ocean County’s business community to come together and support neighbors who may need a little extra help.
OCBA Is Proud to Support Our Members and Our Community
The Ocean County Business Association believes that strong business relationships contribute to a stronger local community.
Our members represent a wide range of industries and professions, and we’re always pleased to highlight the charitable efforts, community initiatives, and important work being done by the businesses and organizations within our association.
We encourage OCBA members, local business owners, and Ocean County residents to support Ocean Partnership for Children’s Holiday Gift Drive and Paws & Claus fundraiser.
Learn More About OCBA
Are you an Ocean County business owner or professional interested in building meaningful local relationships while connecting with businesses and organizations that care about our community?
The Ocean County Business Association is an industry-exclusive networking organization where members exchange referrals, share knowledge, support one another, and build lasting professional relationships.