The United Way of Ocean County is encouraging the community to support its annual Halloween costume drive. The organization is currently collecting new and gently used costumes through Oct. 21, so all children can have a happy Halloween.
More than 600 costumes were collected and distributed during last year’s costume drive. Some of the agencies that received costumes were the Family Health Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Vetgroup and Dottie’s House, just to name a few.
United Way of Ocean County has raised over 26 million dollars since its inception in 1976. The current board president, Tom Hourigan, is supported by 36 additional board members from the community.
United Way is committed to helping solve critical issues in the community and currently has 53 partner agencies who provide programs and services for the residents of Ocean County. These programs address the communities’ urgent health- and human-care needs, including: emergency food and shelter, overcoming disease and disability, strengthening families and neighborhoods, caring for the elderly, investing in youth and helping the working poor.
To learn more about the United Way of Ocean County, call (732) 240-0311.
Clean Ocean Action’s annual Fall Beach Sweeps
Hundreds of volunteers are expected to participate in Clean Ocean Action’s 20th annual Fall Beach Sweeps on Make A Difference Day Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Beach Sweeps are unique in that Clean Ocean Action (COA) tracks information about marine debris off the Jersey Shore by collecting data at the cleanups and forwarding the results to The Ocean Conservancy for its international database on marine debris.
COA invites people of all ages to engage in the fight against ocean pollution by participating in the next cleanup at ocean, lake, river and bay locations from South Amboy to Cape May.
The event is especially popular with students and Scouts, who also benefit from the event by fulfilling service hours and school projects and making a difference in their communities.
Volunteers interested in participating in the Fall Beach Sweeps are instructed to bring gloves, dress for the weather (event is rain or shine), and wear sunscreen and hard-soled shoes. Only groups of 15 or more must preregister by contacting Clean Ocean Action one week in advance.
Locally, Beach Sweeps will be held at Brick Beach III, Normandy Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, and Ortley Beach.
For a complete list of sites, visit COA’s Web site at www.cleanoceanaction.org or call (732) 872-0111.
Brick Knights slate trip to see The Rockettes
The Brick Knights of Columbus Council 836 will host a trip to see The Rockettes perform in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City Nov. 15. The cost of $100 per person includes deluxe motorcoach transportation, first mezzanine reserved seats at Radio City Music Hall for an 11 a.m. matinee shoe; free time in the Rockefeller Center area; lunch in New York City after the show; free time for shopping after lunch, and all taxes, bus permits, and meal gratuities. The motorcoach will depart at 8:30 a.m. from Brick Wal-Mart on Jack Martin Boulevard and Route 70 and return at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Payment is due in full at time of booking. All sales are final. Make checks payable to Brick Knights of Columbus No. 836 and mail to: Camille Frederick, 586 Charles Drive, Brick 08723. Details: (732) 920-7538 .
Free seminar on
preventing back pain
Ocean Medical Center, 425 Jack Martin Blvd., Brick, will host a free seminar about preventing back pain. “Oh, My Aching Back” will take place Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in East Wing conference rooms A and B at the hospital.
Attendees will learn about advancements in back and neck pain prevention and treatment, posture, body mechanics, medications, exercise and surgery. The featured speakers will be Meridian Health orthopedic surgeons Lambro Demetriades, M.D., and Joseph Marsciano, M.D. A light dinner will be served.
Registration is required to attend. Call (800) 560-9990 to register or visit www.meridianhealth.com for details.
Special worship service for children at church
The First Baptist Church of Laurelton, 1836 Highway 88, Brick, will join with thousands of churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship to draw attention to the needs of the nation’s children. A Children’s Sabbath – Special Worship Service will take place at the church Oct. 16 at 10 a.m.
The service seeks to inspire congregations and religious organizations to work on behalf of children through prayer, service and advocacy throughout the year.
The Rev. H. Regine Harding welcomes the public to attend. Barbara Gordon will be the guest speaker.
Gymnastics team to host ‘Scrapbooking Crop’
The Brick Township High School Gymnastics Team invites the community to join them Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. for a day of scrapbooking.
The fundraising event to support the team will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Brick Township High School’s west gym, 346 Chambers Bridge Road. The fee of $35 to participate in the “crop” includes breakfast and lunch, classes and displays, snacks and refreshments.
There will also be a raffle of a scrap basket, which will include a $100 gift certificate for Firefly Scrapbooks. For details, e-mail [email protected].