BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
Oct. 24 has been designated as Mitzvah Day, a day for people to do good deeds by helping others and the community.
“We invite you to join us in this rewarding and worthwhile effort on Oct. 24,” said Shelley Feingold, outreach and operations director of the Jewish Community Center of Western Monmouth, Manalapan. “It is an opportunity to reach out and share with others who are not as fortunate. The only requirements to participate are a willingness to give of yourself and the desire to make an impact upon our community.”
Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will be organizing and presenting a talent show at Liberty Manor, Englishtown.
Congregation Sons of Israel, Manalapan, will be sponsoring a knitting and crocheting drive to donate caps for preemie babies and granny square afghans to the neonatal units of a local hospital.
There will blood drives and bone marrow donor locations throughout the county in cooperation with the Central Jersey Blood Center. Donors are asked to call ahead for times, although walk-ins are welcome.
The blood drive and bone marrow donor locations include the Monmouth Reform Temple, Tinton Falls (732) 747-9365); Temple Beth Ahm, Aberdeen (732) 583-1700; Temple Beth Miriam, Elberon (732) 222-3754); and Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro (732) 308-0055.
Several locations have been designated for clothing drop-off. Donations will go to Goodwill of New Jersey for needy families.
Clothing can be dropped off at Congregation Sons of Israel, Manalapan from 10-11:30 a.m; at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth, Deal, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Temple Beth Ahm, Aberdeen, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Temple Beth Shalom, Manalapan, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the Marlboro Jewish Center Chai Building, Marlboro, from 12:15-3 p.m.; Congregation Ahavat Achim, Howell, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and at the Monmouth Reform Temple, Tinton Falls, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Supermarkets will collect food which will be sent to the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and to Jewish Family and Children’s Service for Thanksgiving food baskets for the needy and for area food pantries.
Participating food drive supermarkets include ShopRite, Aberdeen and Marlboro; Pathmark, Marlboro; Super Stop & Shop, Aberdeen and Howell; and Acme, Marlboro.
Donations of food may also be brought to the Marlboro Jewish Center Chai Building, Temple Beth Miriam or Young Israel of Aberdeen.
The second annual toy drive to benefit the Emmanuel Children’s Cancer Foundation will take place at two locations. New or gently used books, board games, videos, and video games may be brought to the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center, Deal, (732) 531-9100, or to the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, (732) 431-5525. Drop-off time is set from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Participating organizations for 2004 include the JCC of Western Monmouth; B’nai B’rith Youth Organization; Congregation Ahavat Achim, Howell; Congregation Kol Am, Freehold; Congregation Sons of Israel, Manalapan; Freehold Jewish Center, Freehold; Jewish Family and Children’s Service; Marlboro Jewish Center, Marlboro; Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro; Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro; and Temple Beth Shalom, Manalapan.
For more information call Shelley Feingold at (732) 683-9300.