Verona’s biggest charity block party, the Newman Cares Blockfest, will return for its seventh year on Saturday, September 21, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and this time the spotlight charity is NJ Sharing Network. This Saturday, September 7, is the last day to get discounted tickets to Blockfest.
NJ Sharing Network is a non-profit responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for those in need of a life-saving transplant. Nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents are currently awaiting transplants. NJ Sharing Network is also part of the national recovery system, and there are 115,000 people on the national waiting list.
In addition to the nonprofit, Blockfest will also be honoring tissue and organ donors Jenny Collentine, Chris Erikson Jr., Sara Ford, and Samantha Pesaresi as well as recipients Thomas Erickson, Bryan Indergrund, Mike Mania and JB O’Hanlon.
The Blockfest, which takes place on the lower part of Newman Avenue from Wildwood Terrace to Cumberland Avenue, features a full lineup of local bands, children’s activities, a barbecue and, for those over 21, an open bar. This year’s bands are The Dad Band, 3 WAY, TCP, Scotty and the Gottis, and Pet in the Middle. There will be tables and chairs near the BBQ grills but attendees are also encouraged to bring their own beach chair.
Blockfest tickets are $35 for ages 21+ before September 8 (and $45 thereafter) and $20 for ages 9-20 before September 8 ($25 thereafter). Children up to age 8 are free with a paying adult family member. You can buy your tickets today online.
Verona-based Newman Cares is a 501(c)(3) organization that has raised $75,000 for a wide variety of charities since 2013, including The Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Heart Association, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Minette’s Angels.
The Blockfest also needs volunteers beginning at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. Full details on how you can help here.
