Friends of Jack Foundation

11/05/2026

Yesterday, an incredible team of volunteers from First Citizens' Federal Credit Union wrapped more than 250 holiday gifts for children at a local New Bedford school!

And they didn’t stop there! First Citizens’ also generously awarded the Friends of Jack Foundation a $2,500 grant to help purchase the toys.

Thank you, First Citizens’, for giving your time, resources, and heart to help make the holidays brighter for local children!

11/04/2026

The Tutu Challenge is officially underway!

On November 1, we kicked off one of our favorite holiday traditions, and this year’s challenge is all about having fun, spreading some holiday cheer, and making a difference for local children!

The concept is simple: Put on a red tutu, snap a photo or video, challenge a friend to do the same, and help us raise money to purchase holiday gifts for children in need throughout the South Coast.

Here’s how it works:
- Put on the red tutu and get creative!
- Take a fun photo or video and share it on social media.
- Tag , use , and challenge a friend to participate.
- Pass the tutu along to your friend.
- Make a $100 donation to the Friends of Jack Foundation to support our Holiday Toy Assistance Program.

Every dollar raised stays right here in our community, helping make the holidays brighter for local children and families.

A special thank you to Yard Boss Landscape Design, our Presenting Sponsor, for helping make this year’s Tutu Challenge possible!

Who’s ready to put on the tutu?

Learn more or make your donation at www.friendsofjack.org.

GivingBack

11/03/2026

What an incredible day to kick off the holiday season!

Our Holiday Color Run & Family Fest brought together families, friends, and community partners for an afternoon filled with fun.

From the colorful races and bounce houses to the music, treats, and activities, it was everything we hoped it would be. Most importantly, we were able to provide a completely FREE afternoon of fun for kids and families while kicking off our annual Holiday Toy Assistance Program.

Events like this are only possible because of the generosity of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe in giving back to their communities.

A very special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Waterman Building & Remodeling (Brian Waterman), and our partners the Rochester Police Department (Rochester Police Department (MA)) and FUN 107 (WFHN FUN 107).

To our volunteers, participants, and everyone who helped bring this event to life … THANK YOU!

Especially The Smile Factory, who helped bring the event to an entirely new level, and all of our other incredible supporters, including:

* Busy Bee Jumpers (BUSY BEE JUMPERS | INFLATABLE EVENTS)
* Massachusetts State Police (Mass State Police)
* Rochester Fire Department

And we are also grateful to vendors and partner companies who were on hand, including:

* Deborah Thompson (Deborah Thompson | Award-Winning Author | Speaker)
* Cool Licks Ice Cream
* Fox & Plover Designs (Annie Yakovleva)
* Clear Coast Dental (Clear Coast Dental)
* Sullivan Therapeutic

We believe every child deserves opportunities to have fun and simply enjoy being a kid. Seeing so many smiling faces reminded us exactly why we do what we do.

11/03/2026

We’re excited to share that the Friends of Jack Foundation has been selected as a November beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program.

Throughout the month of November, when you purchase a $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Stop & Shop located at 221 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven, MA, $1 will be donated to Friends of Jack Foundation.

It’s a simple way to support our mission while doing your regular shopping.

Every dollar helps us continue providing programs and services that support the physical, mental, and emotional health of children and families throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Thank you to Stop & Shop for this opportunity, and thank you to everyone who helps us make a difference in the lives of local families.

221 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven, MA
November 1–30
$1 donated for every Community Bag purchased

11/01/2026

TODAY’S THE DAY!

Join us for the Friends of Jack Holiday Color Run & Family Fest!

Today, November 1, from 1–3 PM at Dexter Lane Field in Rochester.

Enjoy an afternoon of FREE family fun, including color dashes, bounce houses, touch-a-truck, games, and more!

Help us kick off our Holiday Toy Assistance Program!

If you’re attending, please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to help make the holidays brighter for children across the South Coast.

Can’t bring a toy? You can still participate by purchasing one directly from our Amazon Wish List!

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Waterman Building & Remodeling, and our partners at Fun 107 and the Rochester Police Department.

We hope to see you this afternoon!

10/29/2026

Wondering how the Holiday Color Run works? Swipe through for a quick guide.

Kids line up for short 50- or 100-yard dashes, depending on age, then make their way through bursts of color. They can run, walk, skip or dance—kids of all ages are welcome!

What should they wear? A white or light-colored shirt makes the color pop. Choose clothes you don’t mind getting colorful, add layers and comfortable sneakers, and pack a towel and change of clothes for the ride home.

Then stick around for the FREE Family Fest, including a bounce house, touch-a-truck, crafts, games and music!

THIS SUNDAY, November 1
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Dexter Lane Field, Rochester, MA

Register FREE: https://colorrun.givesmart.com

New, unwrapped toy donations are welcome but optional. All toys collected stay on the South Coast.

Presented by Waterman Building & Remodeling, in partnership with the Rochester Police Department and Fun 107.

10/26/2026

Your Sunday plans are covered—and they’re FREE!

Join the Friends of Jack Foundation THIS SUNDAY for the Holiday Color Run & Family Fest, a free afternoon for kids of all ages and their families.

Enjoy 50- and 100-yard color dashes, a bounce house, touch-a-truck with Rochester PD, holiday crafts, games, music and more!

Sunday, November 1
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Dexter Lane Field, Rochester, MA

We’re also launching our Holiday Toy Drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy if you can. Every toy collected stays right here on the South Coast to help brighten a local child’s holiday. Toy donations are welcome, but not required to attend.

Presented by Waterman Building & Remodeling, in partnership with the Rochester Police Department and Fun 107.

Register FREE: https://www.friendsofjack.org/events/holiday-color-run-2026

Share this post with a family who would love to join you!

10/24/2026

Thank you to Milestone Mortgage Solutions (Milestone Mortgage Solutions, LLC) and Lapointe Insurance (Lapointe Insurance) for donating two new Therapy Cars through the Friends of Jack Foundation to Saint Anne’s Hospital, part of Brown University Health (Brown University Health)!

These rechargeable ride-on cars give young patients a playful way to travel to surgery, bringing a little fun and comfort to what can be an unfamiliar and overwhelming experience.

We’re grateful to both businesses for helping us put children first, and to the Saint Anne’s team for making these special moments possible. Together, we’re helping hospital visits feel a little less scary and a lot more kid-friendly.

10/22/2026