Dec. 9, ongoing
• South River Rams Glass Ornament Sale, sponsored by the South River Primary School PTA. Ornament is maroon with gray writing. Cost: $8. Call Debbie Cseh at 732- 371-8398; email [email protected].
• Adopt-A-Family, sponsored by the South River Primary/Elementary School PTA, to make the holiday season more joyous for disadvantaged children in South River. Sought: new clothing, new toys, food, monetary donations to purchase new items. Make checks payable to Adopt-AFamily. Drop-off bin located at the South River Public Library, Appleby Avenue. Call Debbie Zemann at 732-841-1954 or Donna Geesey at 908-208-3080. Dec. 9 & 10
• Jersey Cares Coat Drive, conducted by Goddard School of South Old Bridge, 1480 Englishtown Road (Route 527), Old Bridge. Donations of gently used, clean coats may be dropped off at the school 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Contributions given to New Jersey families in need. Call 732-416-9600; log on to www.jerseycares.org.
• Toys for Tots Collection, sponsored by the Reformed Church Home, in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, at the home, 1990 Route 18 north, Old Bridge. Drop off new, unwrapped toys to be distributed as Christmas gifts to children of all ages living in Middlesex County. Toy weapons, candy, used toys, chemicals or toys that are dangerous will not be accepted. 732-607-9230. Families in need may request gifts at www.toysfortots.org.
Dec. 9-15
• Winter Coat Collection, conducted by Oak Tree Elementary School PTA, Monroe, for the Jersey Cares Coat Drive. Bring new or gently used (cleaned) men’s, women’s, children’s winter coats to dropoff boxes at the Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, and Oak Tree Elementary School, 226 Applegarth Road. All sizes needed. Hats, scarves, gloves will not be accepted.
Dec. 9-19
• Toys for Tots Collection, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, in the Santa Claus display at Menlo Park Mall, Edison. New, unwrapped toys sought. Cash donations accepted. Call Eddy Androvich at 732- 698-2347.
Dec. 10
• Give While You Shop, sponsored by Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), to benefit the Ozanam Family Shelter, Edison, noon-8 p.m. in the center court, lower level, next to the glass elevators, at Menlo Park Mall, Edison. Buono and her staff will collect items including bedding for twin-size beds, toiletries, unused clothing, baby products, gift cards, etc. For a complete list of needed donations, call 732-205-1372. Dec. 11
• Cookie Walk, sponsored by Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 9 a.m.-until cookies run out, at the church, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. Homebaked cookies offered for purchase. Pre-packaged cookies in holiday containers suitable for gift-giving also available. 732-254-7361.
• Breakfast With Santa, sponsored by Trinity Presbyterian Church, 8:30-10:30 a.m., in the church hall, 367 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Visit from Santa; hot breakfast buffet; appearances by The Magician and The Wizard face-painter. Tickets: $6 for adults, $3 for children; available in advance or at the door. 732- 257-6636.
• Crafts for a Cause, to aid Middlesex County Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), sponsored Gail Small, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., at 18 York St., Old Bridge. Hand-sewn merchandise including quilts, clothes and other items for children; holiday décor; home accessories; wall hangings; more. Portion of total sales goes to Middlesex County FAFS. Monetary contributions accepted. Calendars from Hawaii will be sold; proceeds go to FAFS. Door prizes. 732-679-9627.
Dec. 12
• Holiday Train and Toy Show, sponsored by the Milltown Historical Society, the future Raritan River Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Jim Reid of Frosty Automotive and the Milltown Public Library, noon-5 p.m., at the Milltown Senior Citizen Center, Violet Terrace. Proceeds will help move and preserve the last remaining station on the Raritan River Railroad, located on Washington Avenue. Christmas trees with toy trains; 6-foot-tall Victorian dollhouse; symbols of Hanukkah; Nativity scene; vintage toy displays; operating toy-train layouts including S, O and standard gauge; static displays of trains, accessories; Raritan River Railroad artifacts, pictures, maps. Refreshments available. Suggested donation is $5 per person, $12 for family of three or more; under age 10 admitted free. 732-828-0249.
• Breakfast With Santa, sponsored by St. Thomas Knights of Columbus, 8-11:30 a.m., at the post home, 61 Pine St., Old Bridge. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, coffee, juice. Youngsters receive a free photo with Santa. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for ages 4-12; under age 3 admitted free. Call 732-251-9817; log on to www.kofc4815.org.
• Breakfast with Santa, sponsored by East Brunswick Elks Lodge No. 2370, 9:30-11 a.m., at the lodge, 21B Oakmont Ave. Santa arrives at approximately 10:45 a.m. Cost is $7; children under age 10 admitted free. Guests encouraged to bring a can of vegetables or a box of stuffing to donate to the Elks’ Feed the Hungry Program. Call 732-821-9527; log on to www.ebelks.com.
Dec. 14
• Silver Jewelry Sale, sponsored by the Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge Auxiliary, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., in the lobby of the Medical Arts Building, adjacent to the hospital’s Old Bridge division, off Ferry Road, between routes 9 and 18. Portion of the proceeds benefits patient-care services. 732-324-5006.