New Jersey

New Jersey  is the founding chapter of Best Day, started by Alexis and Lake Downham.

We typically host 6-8 beach events per year.

Serving New Jersey and surrounding areas including New York and Pennsylvania with beach based events from Long Branch to Brick and snow events in New York.

Our events include:

  • Beach obstacle course
  • Tandem surfing
  • Body-boarding
  • Kayaking
  • SUP

We would love to have you join us as a participant family or volunteer. Please choose the appropriate link to the left to sign up. We also encourage you to follow us via our social media accounts using the links above so you can keep up with all the fun Best Day has in store.

Our Founding Chapter Established in 2008

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See Our Upcoming Events

CHAPTER WANTS & NEEDS

Services & Support

  • Media Professional to help with PR
  • Fund-raising/Grant writer
  • Experienced photographers to shoot our events

Equipment

  • 2 Beach Wheelchairs cost $2400 ea
  • 2+ Popup tents

Meet Our Team

  • Alexis Downham
    Alexis Downham Co-Chairperson

    Passion, enthusiasm and pure joy – that’s what Best Day means to me

  • Lake Downham
    Lake Downham Co-chairperson

    Lake is a waterman, rescue & survival expert,  and passionate for sharing the joy of the ocean.  The thrill he gets from taking our campers surfing is the single most rewarding aspect of his life.

  • Faye Gilmore
    Faye Gilmore Volunteer Coordinator

    I love that Best Day brings our local communities together! We could not run our events without our volunteers who come out year after year to give children that they have never met a day at the beach. The smiles on the faces of both participants and volunteers is incredibly heart warming!

  • Cori Mezzacappa
    Cori Mezzacappa Volunteer Coordinator

    Best Day is about smiles, laughter, selflessness, teamwork & family.  The joy that radiates from the volunteers & participants faces is just priceless and unforgettable. It keeps me coming back for more.

  • John & Tricia Henkes
    John & Tricia Henkes Participant & Water Teams Coordinators

    Were hooked volunteering as a family at the very first Best Day events. Their son Brodie enjoys volunteering because he likes making the day feel like its the Super Bowl or Olympics for the kids we serve.

  • KC Yoon
    KC Yoon Participant Coordinator

    “To me Best Day is about serving others and putting smiles on faces! Spending the day at the beach with friends new and old is the cherry on top!”

  • Paul Podesla
    Paul Podesla Fundraising Coordinator

    “Best Day is a blessing for all involved. Taking in the smiles from the kids and their families on the beach is indescribable, a day that truly lives up to its name!”

Special Thanks to our Generous Supporters

Contact Us

Thanks for connecting with us! We are a volunteer organization so sometimes it might take a day or two for us to respond.

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