Support The New Weis Center!
As a small private 501(c)3 nonprofit, we rely on donations, membership fees and program income from supporters and visitors to keep our Center going! Here are some ways you can show your support:
- Visit our Weis fundraiser merchandise shop and purchase a fundraiser item, including: t-shirts, reusable water bottles, cookbooks and notecards.
- Make a donation via cash, check or Venmo.
- Join or renew your membership! In addition to supporting Weis, membership at every level has some great benefits too!
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation | 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456 | 973-835-2160
Owned and operated by the Highlands Nature Friends, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation | 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456 | 973-835-2160
Owned and operated by the Highlands Nature Friends, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
Join us and celebrate the season with fun, free activities - and an easy way to give back with our 1-stop drop-off donation collection for several area nonprofits
Celebrate the Season!
- Donation drop-off for several wonderful area nonprofits: BASS Animal Shelter, Highlands Family Success Center, Center for Food Action, Toys for Tots and more! See below for details about items they need and accept.
- Guided Nature Walks - Experience a taste of the type of public nature programs we offer regularly throughout the year! Easy pace, with plenty of stops. All ages welcome, and no registration required.
- 12:30-1:30pm - Winter Birding (no experience needed)
- 2:00-3:00pm - Signs of the Season
- 12:30-1:30pm - Winter Birding (no experience needed)
- We will have a cozy campfire going all afternoon, with plenty of benches and picnic tables to sit and socialize.
- Warm up and grab some free refreshments, including hot chocolate, tea, snacks, or marshmallows to toast over the fire.
- Get creative and make a seasonal nature craft in our rustic (heated) cabins with our Weis educators!
- Visit the Sustainable Ringwood Green Team in our main building cabin for a fun nature art activity
- Gift wrap station! Bring any holiday gifts you've purchased, and for a small donation (you choose the amount) we will wrap it for you with recycled and natural wrapping materials.
- Bring your family and friends and take a photo in front of our festive winter backdrop - or have our staff take one for you with your phone or camera. Don't forget to tag us on social media!
- Facebook: @newweiscenter; Instagram: @thenewweiscenter
Support the Community - 1-Stop Drop-Off Site for Multiple Charities!
There will be a designated area near our small cabins (behind the main brick building) to DROP OFF YOUR DONATIONS for the following organizations, and we'll have staff on hand to help you unload. After the event, Weis volunteers and staff will sort and deliver all donations received during the event!
- BASS Animal Rescue accepts supplies for cats and dogs. High priority items include Friskies wet cat food 6oz cans any flavor/variety, Science Diet Kitten Chow, Irons Indoor Hairball Dry Food, paper towels, laundry detergent, and bleach. For more information regarding preferred brands and other specifications, check out their wish list.
- The Highlands Family Success Center accepts non-perishable, unexpired pantry foods such as pasta, cereal, canned goods, etc. They are also in need of winter coats and new unwrapped toys (not wrapped).
- Center for Food Action New Jersey provides a list of their most needed items, including supermarket gift cards, baby food, diapers, and non- perishable foods. Download a PDF of the most needed items to bring with you the next time you are shopping.
- The Warwick Hope Chest collects jackets, cardigans, coats, sneakers, boots, scarfs, hats, gloves, mittens, and socks. The Warwick Hope Chest provides free clothing to anyone in need through The Clothing Closet (Warwick's free clothing bank).
- Toys for Tots accepts any new, unwrapped toys or gently loved stuffed animals.
FAQs
Q: Is the event free?
A: YES, there is NO FEE to attend, and ALL programs, crafts and refreshments are free (hot chocolate & marshmallows for toasting at the campfire).
Q: Do I need to register for the nature walks or crafts?
A: NO registration is needed, but if you are planning to participate in one of the nature walks please arrive a few minutes beforehand. The nature crafts, campfire, gift wrapping station, and winter photo booth will be ongoing throughout the afternoon.
Q: When and where can I drop off supplies/donations?
A: We will be collecting donations for several area nonprofit charities in the small cabins behind the main brick building from 12-4pm. If you have a lot of donations (Yay!) follow the driveway to the main building where someone will direct you where to go and a staff person will assist you with unloading.
Q: Is this a fundraiser?
A: YES, this event is also a fundraiser to support several nonprofit organizations (see list above), as well as the nonprofit the owns and operates The New Weis Center (Highlands Nature Friends, Inc). Weis fundraiser merchandise will be available for sale throughout the event (tshirts, reusable water bottles, baseball caps, notecards and cookbooks), and we also welcome monetary donations!
Q: What forms of payment are accepted if I want to purchase Weis merchandise or make a donation?
A: We accept cash, check, and Venmo!
Q: Is this event inside or outside?
A: It's BOTH! Inside we'll have refreshments, music, a slide show celebrating our 10th anniversary of owning and operating The New Weks Center, a winter photo booth, and an art activity with the Sustainable Ringwood Green Team. Outside we'll have more fun nature-inspired crafts in our decorated 1-room heated cabins, and a blazing bonfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Q: Where should I park?
A: Free parking is available in the outer lot on Snake Den Road, near our sign. If that lot is full, a staff member will direct you to our overflow parking area. We encourage carpooling whenever possible!
Q: Are there bathrooms on-site?
A: YES, restrooms in our main building will be open throughout the event, including a handicap/gender neutral bathroom on the main floor and multiple restroom facilities on our lower level.
Q: Is the event handicap accessible?
A: Pathways around the property (to the cabins and campfire area) are unpaved and may be rocky or uneven, but we do have an electric utility vehicle (generously donated by our Trustee Annie Darling!) to transport people to and from our parking lot, and to the cabin and firecircle area as needed.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: We welcome furry friends for the campfire portion, as long as they are leashed and all pet waste is picked up and properly disposed of. Due to space limitations, we cannot accommodate animals in the main building or cabins.
Weis Wonders of Winter Event!
Saturday, December 6th, 12-4pm
Join us for a seasonal celebration at the "Wonders of Winter" event! Relax by a cozy campfire, enjoy some free hot chocolate and refreshments, make a nature craft, take a holiday photo in front of our winter wonderland backdrop, and even bring you gifts from home and have them wrapped!
The New Weis Center's mission is not only to give back to the environment, but to give back to the community as well, so we will also have a drop-off station setup to collect donations for Toys for Tots, BASS Animal Rescue, the Center For Food Action, the Highlands Family Success Center and more (details below). So gather up your new and gently used items and bring them to Weis on December 6th, and we'll unload them, sort and collate, and drop off at the appropriate charity after the event.
The "Wonders of Winter" is a FREE event for all ages. NO REGISTRATION needed - just stop by!