Brock Farms, 4189 Route 9 north, Freehold Township, will be transformed into an old world Victorian Christmas featuring The Believe Project carolers, a snow machine and a visit from Santa on Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Believe Project is a non-denominational organization based in central New Jersey that is dedicated to bringing holiday magic and cheer to children stricken with cancer or acute or chronic illness.
Advanced PMR and Dr. Daniel Reizis invite families from the Freehold area and beyond to a toy giveaway for the community. The event will begin at their new office at 348 Route 9 north, Manalapan, from 1:30-2 p.m. Dec. 19. Pizza will be donated by Mezza Luna. The giveaway will continue at the Monmouth County Hall of Records, 1 E. Main St., Freehold, from 2-3 p.m. Santa will hand out presents to all children who attend. This family event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the office of Advanced Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 732-894- 9200, or the office of Downtown Freehold 732-333-0094.
LongHorn Steakhouse, 300 W. Main St., Freehold Township, is holding a food drive to benefit Foodstock NJ, Freehold. Nonperishable items can be dropped off at the restaurant in exchange for a complimentary appetizer card to be used on a later visit to the restaurant. Foodstock NJ is a grassroots community effort formed to assist with the needs of the less fortunate community members who are struggling to put food on the table.
I-Core Systems, a loss control and safety consulting firm based in Manalapan, received the National Safety Council Defensive Driver Course “Remarkable Results” award. This award is presented to agencies that lead the field in training safe drivers, according to I-Core Systems Vice President Ivan Cohen. I-Core Systems provides regulatory compliance, safety training and risk management services for public entities, private companies and the insurance industry.
Parker at Monroe long-term living community recently was honored by the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee of Monroe Township with the 2015 ADA Award, a distinction given to “an individual or group that has gone above and beyond regulations in providing access to the disabled.” Parker at Monroe is a long-term living community where individuals with similar needs reside together in a small home and share services that are specific to their needs and abilities. For more information, call 732-902-4200.
A toy drive is under way at the Goddard School in Morganville now through Dec. 17. All toys will be donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation whose mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year and distribute them as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. The children and teachers recognize the significance of giving back and being a part of their community by helping those less fortunate. At the Goddard School, laying the foundation to good citizenship is fostered through the development of four essential skills: friendship, compassion, cooperation and kindness. Details: 732-617-8181.
The Grind Coffee Company will open inside iPlay America, 110 Schanck Road, Freehold Township, in December. Serving hot and cold coffee and tea, specialty beverages, grab-and-go sandwiches, salads and baked goods, the coffee house will be open during regular iPlay hours. Chef Joe Raoila, iPlay America’s executive chef and the season five “Chopped” champion, created the menu for The Grind Coffee Company.
Trans American Trucking and Warehouse, South Plainfield, announced that Craig McGraw of Marlboro, the national sales director for Trans American Trucking and Warehouse, received an award for being named a 2015 winner in the NJBIZ “Forty Under 40” awards program.
McGraw, who earned a bachelor of arts in criminal justice from Seton Hall University, South Orange, started working at Trans American as a regional sales manager in 2005. In 2010, he became the national sales director. Trans American Trucking and Warehouse, established in 1976, provides customers throughout the United States and Canada with transportation, warehousing, packing and export services.
Russell Brokstein, a Freehold chiropractor, will participate in the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors “Baby It’s Cold Outside” annual food and winter coat drive.
From now through Jan. 4, nonperishable food items, coats, hats, gloves and scarves can be dropped off at Hometown Family Wellness Center, 9 Broadway, Freehold. Items will be donated to the Open Door Food Pantry and St. Peter’s Thrift Shop, both in Freehold. Details: 732-780-0044.
Honor Yoga will expand its programming to include “Wellness and Recovery,” a program designed to use the many aspects of yoga, including meditation and psychology, to increase the overall mental, physical and emotional well-being of individuals who may be living with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and/or addiction.
The newest division, led by Dr. Nathalie Edmond, will include specialized workshops, individual consultations and small group classes to help individuals build skills and enhance well-being. Honor Yoga has locations throughout New Jersey, including one at 100 Route 9, Unit 9, Manalapan.