CAREing for Children: An OCBA Legacy That Lifts Local Families

OCBA’s charity, CAREing for Children, began with a simple decision: keep charitable giving local and make a direct, practical impact. In this video, Barbara Farley recounts how the effort took shape inside OCBA and how members still power the work today.

How it started

OCBA members launched CAREing for Children so the business community could support kids and families right here in Ocean County. Among the early champions were Chuck Laing (Chap Construction) and the late Clare Bojus, who organized year-round purchasing and holiday distributions of toys, food, and essentials through trusted local organizations.

What the program provides

The core mission is straightforward: ensure families in need receive food and gifts during the holidays and, increasingly, essentials that help kids thrive all year. Barbara notes that children often overlooked—especially teens—are kept in mind with clothing and age-appropriate items. In the past few years, CAREing for Children also added a back-to-school effort; Barbara delivered 100 backpacks filled with supplies to local foster children last year and again this year.

The need has grown

Partner organizations tell a consistent story: demand is up, donations are tighter, and some groups have closed programs they can’t sustain. That makes CAREing for Children’s work—and the volunteers who show up, purchase, sort, and deliver—more important than ever.

Honoring two driving forces

Two OCBA members helped shape this effort for years.

• Clare Bojus ran operations with relentless energy, ensuring holiday distributions reached the right families through local partners.
• Mike Reilly (SERVPRO of Toms River/Point Pleasant) poured his passion into fundraising, especially the annual golf outing. His commitment came from lived experience, and his leadership inspired broad support across the business community.

Losing Mike during the pandemic, and then Clare soon after, was a heavy blow. OCBA asked Barbara to step in and lead; she took time to consider the responsibility and has since carried the mission forward with the help of dedicated members.

The Golf Outing fuels the mission

The Marty Aronow Charity Golf Classic is the primary fundraiser for CAREing for Children. Proceeds fund holiday food boxes, toys, clothing, and school supplies. Barbara is seeking:

• Golfers (singles and foursomes).
• Sponsorships (from tee signs to headline placements).
• Raffle baskets and premium prizes that drive event-day giving. Past highlights have included a Costa Rica fishing charter, a Hollywood Golf Club experience, and major gifts from Carl’s Fencing (pergola, mailbox, and post packages).

Barbara’s immediate goal: meet the course guarantee of 80 golfers—and push past it to 100.