BNI, a business networking group dedicated to the exchange of qualified business referrals, is looking for new members. Meetings are held at the Empire Diner, Route 9 north, Freehold Township, Friday mornings from 7 to 8:30. For more information, call Peter Joffe at (732) 995-8966.
United Tae Kwon Do Academy’s Manalapan location joined forces with Master Bryan Klein’s four other New Jersey schools to raise more than $50,000 in funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. More than 500 students gathered inside Brookdale Community College’s Robert J. Collins Arena and performed various punches, kicks, blocks, katas (forms), weapons and board-breaking and self-defense routines for family, friends, and members within the community during a two-hour demonstration.
This year, United Tae Kwon Do Academy raised money for cystic fibrosis because this disease affects one of their students, Michael Taylor, and his sister. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to produce thick mucous that clogs the lungs and other ducts throughout the body. Children like Michael, 9, a blue belt at United Tae Kwon Do Academy in Matawan, undergo daily lung treatments, just to stay alive. His life, and thousands of others depends on help from the communities in which they live in.
“As the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation does not receive government funds, we depend heavily on the generosity and kindness of our friends such as Bryan Klein and the entire United Tae Kwon Do family, to help us raise vital funds that will one day cure cystic fibrosis,” said Robin Vogel, a local CF representative. “Money buys science, science buys life.”
Dr. Richard Champagne, whose dental practice is located in Marlboro, is offering professional-strength, take-home whitening services and is donating the proceeds directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The fundraising effort is now under way and will run until Aug. 1, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The cost of the service is $175 and gives customers two services’ worth of whitening treatment for the price of one. Both nonpatients and patients are welcome. The practice is located at 25 Kilmer Drive in Building 3, Suite 216.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Based in Tennessee, it was founded by the late Danny Thomas. No family pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay.
For more information, call Dr. Champagne’s office at (732) 972-0918. For further information about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, visit www.stjude.org or call (800) 822-6344.
The Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch will host the “Home Design Show” March 3-5. More than 150 exhibitors and a wide variety of displays and seminars will be featured during the three-day event. Seminars include “Home Automation,” “Planning Your New Kitchen,” “Interior Decorating,” “Closets and Kitchens Organized in Style,” and “Working with Colors and Textures.”
Show hours are Friday 4-9:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is $8 and children under age 12 will be admitted free.
JSPRAA (Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association), a statewide group of public relations, advertising, graphic design, Web development, marketing and communications professionals, will sponsor a networking luncheon March 3 at 11:30 a.m. at Branches, West Long Branch.
The program will feature Bill Schley, author of “Power of 10” and co-author of “Why Johnny Can’t Brand: Rediscovering the Lost Art of the Big Idea.” He will address the elements of branding and why many companies get it wrong. Schley, a graduate of Harvard University, is president, CEO and co-founder of david inc. and has won the industry’s Effie Award for sales-effective advertising.
The cost is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers before Feb. 28, and $35 thereafter. Register at www.jspraa.com or call (732) 842-3311.
National Association of Women Business Owners, Central Jersey Chapter, will host a networking event 6-8 p.m. March 9 at Gary Michaels Jewelers, Manalapan. NAWBO members and prospective members are invited to meet and network with other business owners in the area. Gary Michaels Jewelers is located on Route 9 south near Wegmans. Attendees will be offered a 10 percent discount on purchases that evening. The event is free, but reservations are required; call (732) 370-7047.
Babies “R” Us will host an “Early Learning Expo” March 11 at its Manalapan store, 17 Route 9 south.
There will be demonstrations and seminars on choosing age-appropriate toys for baby’s development, plus the following community organizations and professionals: Goddard School, Baby Signs (call to sign up for mini class), My Gym Children’s Fitness Center (call to sign up for mini class), Music University, and the YMCA.
For more information or to sign up for a mini class, call (732) 845-2861.
Local Curves fitness centers will participate in the Curves Food Drive to benefit local food banks. Curves will waive its normal service fee (based on first-visit enrollment with a minimum 12-month program) for any new member who brings in a bag of nonperishable groceries and joins between Feb. 27 and March 11. Others wishing to donate may drop off nonperishable food items at Curves Monday through Saturday during business hours throughout the month of March. Curves has nearly 10,000 locations worldwide, and last year its food drive collected 10.6 million pounds of food for local communities, nearly 3 million pounds more than the year before, according to the company’s press release.
“Woman & Money: Financial Strategies for Today’s Woman” will be presented by Primerica 7-8 p.m. March 28 at Primerica Financial Services, Juniper Plaza, 3499 Route 9 north, Suite 2A, Freehold Township.
The free seminar will address the special needs and concerns of women and money. To reserve a seat, call (732) 845-0006.
Pauline’s Health Food Store, 303 Route 9 south, Manalapan, will host a tasting event featuring Blackwell’s Organic soy gelato and fruit sorbetto, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4.
All are welcome. Details: (732) 308-0449.