Petco Inc., based in San Diego, Calif., announced that it raised more than $105,000 in its Greyhound Planet Week held in mid-September. Customers were asked to “round up” purchases to the nearest dollar, with proceeds going to the Petco Foundation. The foundation will then distribute funds to greyhound rescue groups in Petco communities nationwide. Petco stores in the local area are located in Long Branch and Freehold Township.
General Nutrition Centers Inc. (GNC) of the Freehold area will help to generate public awareness of breast cancer through National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in October. The store will take part in a national GNC initiative by distributing a health guide for women that focuses on early detection and prevention of breast cancer. All customers who wear a pink ribbon to participating GNC stores on Oct. 15 — National Mammogram Day — will receive 10 percent off their purchases of regularly priced products. In addition, for each GNC employee who participates in Denim Day by wearing jeans and a pink ribbon to work on Oct. 15, the company will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. GNC, based in Pittsburgh, has centers in the local area in Howell at Aldrich Plaza, in Manalapan at Tennent Nine, and in Marlboro at Acme Shopping Center.
Cost Cutters has joined other local businesses in the March of Dimes’ “Pick a Pumpkin” promotion throughout October to support March of Dimes programs that improve the health of mothers and babies. Cost Cutters will be selling paper pumpkins in their stores throughout the Monmouth County area. Customers may purchase the pumpkins for $1, $5 or $10 each, then write their names on them, and have them displayed at the store where they are purchased.
Businesses and companies who would like to participate in the “Pick a Pumpkin” promotion can call the March of Dimes Central Jersey Division, (609) 655-7400.
Central Jersey Women’s Network will hold a dinner-meeting Oct. 14, 6-9 p.m., at the Holiday Inn at Tinton Falls, 700 Hope Road. MaryAnn Parmelee, of the law firm Parmelee & Parmelee LLP, will discuss the need for a will. The cost is $30 for members, and $39 for guests and nonmembers, if reserved by the deadline of Oct. 6; thereafter, the cost will increase by $5. For reservations, call (908) 281-9234 or e-mail [email protected]. Payment by check may be made at the door.
Woodward Realty Group will again be making a monetary donation to “Operation Gratitude,” a program that supports U.S. troops.
According to a press release from Woodward Realty, “Operation Gratitude” was started by Carolyn Balshek, a former New Yorker now living in California. Balshek does not receive a salary and has donated thousands of dollars toward the purchase of items ranging from CDs to candy and toiletries, creating packages for men and women serving in the military, as well as paying the cost of shipping the packages.
Woodward Realty is accepting checks payable to “Operation Gratitude” at any of the Woodward Realty locations: 31 Schanck Road, Suite 1B, Freehold 07728; 6 Kings Highway, Middletown 07748; and 114 Avenue of Two Rivers, Rumson 07760.