NJ Toddler Raises $1,400+ For Healthcare Workers

POINT PLEASANT, NJ – A toddler in Point Pleasant is proving that age doesn’t matter when it comes to raising money for charity.

Two-year-old Charlie Balut is current the top fundraiser, with over $1,400 raised, for this year’s RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils 5K Run and Wellness Walk.” His mother, Lauren, who is the director of the RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center in Toms River, signed Charlie up to be part of the center’s team, which has so far raised over $3,100.

This year’s event will be held in two locations, with the 5K taking place at the South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange, while the Live Wellness Walk will be held at the Turtle Back Zoo.

“I signed him originally so that he can go to the zoo,” Balut said to Patch. “ I thought it would be fun for him to raise money so I sent out an email with a photo of his face and I’ve gotten a lot of donations.”

According to Lauren, Charlie has gotten into the spirit of giving, even to the point where he pretends to give his mom $10 every time he wants a bite of a hot dog.

100% of proceeds from Running with the Devils will be used to support Healthcare Heroes in their efforts to protect and build healthier communities.

The work that healthcare workers, especially over the past year or so during the COVID-19 pandemic, do is something that is not lost on Balut.

“Charlie’s aunt is a nurse that treated COVID patents for most of 2020 and I saw the impact of treating patients on a healthcare worker,” Bault said to Patch.

“It definitely lights a fire under anyone who has had someone go through that.”

For more information on Charlie’s team and how to donate or how to register for the Running With The Devils 5K and Wellness Walk, you can go to Charlie’s team page and the event’s website.