• A Hanukah menorah lighting hosted by the Achdus organization of Lakewood will be held the third night of Hanukah, Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Lakewood Town Square, Clifton Avenue and Third Street. Details: 216-973-0002.
• The “Breakfast with Buster” annual food and toy drive will be hosted for the ninth year by the Lakewood BlueClaws on Dec. 19 at FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood. The BlueClaws will provide free bagels and coffee to all patrons who drop off unwrapped toys and nonperishable food between 9 and 11 a.m. Buster and Santa Claus will greet fans as they drop off items. All collected items will be donated to the Salvation Army of Ocean County. Details: 732-901-7000.
• The Sierra Club of Ocean County will hold its annual holiday party and silent auction fundraiser starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Skywalk Café at the county administration building, 129 Hooper Ave., Toms River. The festivities will include food, music and auction items including kayaks, vacations, gift baskets, restaurant certificates and more. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP to 732-604-4583 or [email protected] by Dec. 15.
• A food drive will be held at New Egypt Speedway, 720 Route 539, New Egypt, Dec. 10, 11 and 12. Nonperishable items can be dropped at the speedway on those days between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Details: 609-758-1900.
• A representative of H&R Block will be at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, at 1 p.m. Dec. 11 to answer questions about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (federal stimulus). The program is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Details and registration: 732-928-4400.
• A fish fry sponsored by the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt, will be held Dec. 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the lodge. The cost for fish dinner is $9 (two pieces) and $10 (three pieces). Chicken will also be available for $8 (two pieces) and $9 (three pieces). All children’s dinners are $5. Includes sides, desserts and beverages. Take-out is available. Proceeds benefit charities supported by the Elks. Details: 609- 304-8469.
• The Kiwanis Club of Jackson will host its annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Whitesville Firehouse, 81 S. Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children, and includes a hot breakfast, and photos with Santa for the children. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 732- 300-8311 or by sending an email to [email protected], or tickets may be purchased at the door.
• Jackson’s Hanukkah menorah lighting will be held 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Jackson municipal building, 95 West Veterans Highway. The event is free and open to the public. Kosher holiday refreshments will be served in the meeting room of town hall at 4:30 p.m. The Jackson Civic Chorus and The Shiron, the children’s choir of the Hebrew School of Congregation Ahavat Olam of Howell, will sing a selection of Hanukah songs. Details: 732-833-0799.
• The Orchards at Bartley, 100 North County Line Road, Jackson, is sponsoring a free presentation 1:30-2:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Dinese Fennel, a registered occupational therapist from Select Medical Rehabilitation Services, will present a lecture on the relationship between physical activity and overall physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. Seating is limited. Call 732- 730-1700 to reserve a spot.
• A Hanukkah party hosted by the Bat Shalom Hadassah of Jackson-Howell will be held Dec. 16 at Circa Restaurant, 415 Bridge Ave., Lakewood. The cost to attend is $21 and includes a buffet lunch and entertainment. RSVP to Charna Phillips 732- 833-7970 or Gayle Lucks 732-987-6448. All are welcome to attend.
• The Odessa Klezmer Band will entertain at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, 7 p.m. Dec 16. Details: 732-928-4400.
• A living nativity will be held at Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, Dec 18 at 7:30 p.m. (rain date: Dec 19). All are invited to attend. The cost is a nonperishable food item to be donated to the Jackson Food Pantry.
• A light and sound performance commemorating the birth of Jesus will be held at DeBows United Methodist Church at 6 and 7:15 p.m. Dec. 19. Live animals will be part of the presentation, and refreshments will be served. The church is located at the intersection of Routes 537 and 571, Jackson. All are welcome. Details: 732-928-4475.
• “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” will be presented at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at Holy Family Church, 1141 E. County Line Road, Lakewood. All ages are invited to attend the service of scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. Details: Bobbie Sunder, 732-363-0139, ext. 411, or SMLmusicdirector@ aol.com.
• “Clowning Around with Macaroni Anne Cheeze” will feature face painting, balloon art, storytelling and activities for children ages 2-6 and their families and grandparents at 10 a.m. Dec. 29 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson Library as its annual holiday gift to the families of Jackson. Details: 732-928-4400.
• “Laurel and Hardy: Sons of the Desert” will be screened at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, at 2 p.m. Dec. 30. Details: 732-928-4400.
• A blood drive will be conducted by the Red Cross from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Call 732-928-4400 for appointments. Walk-in donors are also welcome. Tip sheets and eligibility guidelines are available at the library.