Here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments from 2025

January 2025:
In a heartwarming display of community collaboration, JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit community restaurant operated by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, was selected as the recipient of our “CauseWheels” vehicle donation. This generous gift, made possible by Meals on Wheels, the Causeway Family of Dealerships, and Causeway CARes, helped empower the organization by providing essential transportation support.

February:
Causeway CARes is dedicated to making a lasting impact in the community, and its latest act of generosity is helping to drive real change. Causeway CARes and the Causeway Family of Dealerships donated a vehicle to Sea Change Recovery Community Organization (Sea Change) a nonprofit organization committed to providing recovery support, harm reduction services, and outreach to individuals facing significant challenges.

March:
Causeway Family of Dealerships and Causeway CARes recently hosted the 6th Annual Summer in Winter Carnival, an event that continues to unite nonprofit and community organizations from across Ocean County. Held at The Mainland Kitchen & Pub in Manahawkin, this year’s carnival welcomed 33 nonprofit and community groups dedicated to making a difference in the region.

May:
Fulfill hosted its third annual Shore to Rock Hunger gala on May 8 at Baseline Social in Oceanport, bringing together supporters from across Monmouth and Ocean Counties to raise awareness and funds in the fight against hunger. The evening featured live entertainment by the Kings of Disco, former members of the Village People, and honored four partners for their outstanding contributions to hunger relief. The event highlighted the growing need in the community, as more than 110,000 local residents now rely on Fulfill and its network of food pantries, a number that has doubled since before the pandemic.

June:
Meals on Wheels of Ocean County has a history of resilience, serving the community for over 50 years and proving its value during times of crisis. For example, when Superstorm Sandy disabled their kitchens, they partnered with a local restaurant and missed only two days of delivery, and during Covid-19, partner organizations utilized MOWOC to deliver essential items to the homebound.

The demand for their services has skyrocketed in recent years; just ten years ago, MOWOC received 20-30 referrals per month, whereas today, they receive 20-30 referrals every week, highlighting the growing need among the more than 200,000 seniors in Ocean County. MOWOC can serve a senior for an entire year for roughly the cost of one day in the hospital or eight days in a nursing home.MOWOC depends heavily on the generosity of the community through donations to “Pick Up The Tab” and ensure that no senior is ever denied a meal due to inability to afford a contribution.

August:
The countdown was on for the 8th Annual Causeway CARes 5K! We brought the community together once again to support local nonprofits, and we were excited to announce the recipients: Fulfill, Project Home Repair, and Meals on Wheels of Ocean County. Over the past seven years, the event had raised more than $305,000 for organizations addressing food insecurity, housing safety, and senior support, with a goal to surpass previous fundraising totals in 2025 that was met.

September:
Causeway CARes proudly donated a reconditioned vehicle to Scouting America’s Jersey Shore Council to help expand youth programs and community outreach across the region. The truck, originally part of the Meals on Wheels of Ocean County fleet, continues a meaningful cycle of service as Meals on Wheels donates retired vehicles to Causeway CARes for refurbishment and redistribution, marking its 20th such donation.

Now supporting Scouting operations at the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation, the vehicle will be used to transport gear, support camps, and strengthen outreach efforts, helping remove barriers to participation and connect more families with Scouting. This partnership honors a shared commitment to community, youth development, and service, ensuring the vehicle’s impact continues in new and lasting ways across the Jersey Shore.

October:
Despite severe weather forcing the cancellation of the 8th Annual Causeway CARes 5K, the event still achieved a record-breaking milestone, raising more than $100,000 for the first time in its history. Made possible by the generosity of sponsors, registered participants, and community supporters, including Premier Sponsor La Jarochita, the cancelled race delivered an even bigger impact than expected. Proceeds were split evenly among three local nonprofits, with each organization receiving $33,400 to support essential services throughout the Jersey Shore.

This year’s beneficiaries include Fulfill, which continues to fight hunger while expanding its Neptune headquarters; Project Home Repair, which helps seniors, veterans, and families remain safely in their homes; and Meals on Wheels of Ocean County, which provides nutritious meals and critical support to local seniors. Causeway CARes and the Causeway Family of Dealerships extend sincere thanks to all sponsors and supporters, for turning an unexpected challenge into a powerful demonstration of community compassion and generosity.

November:
Causeway CARes hosted its Holiday Food Drive benefiting Fulfill NJ in response to the SNAP benefits crisis and rising food insecurity across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. From November 12 through December 18, all Causeway Family of Dealerships showrooms collected non-perishable food donations to support local families, seniors, and individuals in need. Fulfill NJ, which distributes more than 13 million meals annually, faced increased demand as gaps in federal assistance strained food bank resources, making community support especially critical during the holiday season.

As part of the initiative, Causeway CARes also held a Holiday Giveaway to encourage community participation. Donors received one entry for every bag of food donated, with no limit on entries, while vehicle purchases during Black Friday weekend earned bonus entries. Each Causeway showroom awarded its own prize, including a Dyson vacuum, Ooni pizza oven, Ninja Creami XL, and Yeti cooler, with winners announced December 19. Through this effort, Causeway CARes helped bridge the food gap while spreading generosity across the Jersey Shore.