• The American Red Cross has a severe shortage of type O blood and is asking type O donors, as well as eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types, to give now. The following blood drives will be held in Jackson: March 10, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., CKO Kickboxing, 2080 W. County Line Road; and March 28, 3-8 p.m., St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 679 West Veterans Highway. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 17 at the Hope Cathedral Leadership Center, 46 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. All blood types are needed. To donate blood, call toll free, 1-800-933-2566.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 2-8 p.m. March 28 at the Howell Elks, 84 Ramtown‑Greenville Road, Howell. All blood typles are needed. To donate blood, call toll free, 1-800-933-2566.
• Quality Insights is offering a free diabetes self-management workshop series at the Howell Senior Center, 251 Preventorium Road, Howell, Thursdays from March 14 through April 18, from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet others going through similar experiences and learn about diabetes and its risks, preventing complications, healthy eating and more. The workshop is open to members of the senior center. Howell residents 60 and over may call 732-938-4500, ext. 2550, to join the senior center. Senior center members may register for the workshop by calling 732-938-4500, ext. 2561.
• The Jackson Library will host “Knit-Chat-Chain Volunteers” on Mondays. Guests are welcome to join fellow hook and needle enthusiasts and create items to donate to charitable organizations, and to work on their own projects. Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are welcome. Yarn will be provided. Meeting times alternate between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call 732-928-4400, check the monthly brochure, or visit theoceancountylibrary.org/events for specific dates and times.
• The Jackson Library will host AARP tax assistance from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 14, 21 and 28. Receive free tax assistance from members of AARP. There is no age requirement, but appointments are required. Bring previous year(s) returns, photo ID, Social Security or I-Tin card, and all relevant tax documents related to the tax years to be prepared. To make an appointment, call 732-928-4400, ext. 3808.
• The Jackson Library will present “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: Preservation and Grace, and American Legacy” at 2 p.m. March 16. Actress Jill Lawrence brings Jackie to life in this live performance. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will present “How to Break Up with Your Clutter” at 3 p.m. March 18. Jamie Novak of HGTV will show how to overcome common obstacles to getting organized. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host “Coloring for Adults: Vincent Van Gogh” at 10 a.m. March 26. Rediscover the joy of coloring and celebrate Van Gogh’s birthday. Art supplies provided. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will present “Mindfulness Meditation: On Acceptance” at 11 a.m. March 27. Explore the art of acceptance through mindfulness meditation techniques. Comfortable clothes are required. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Monmouth County Park System will hold its annual E. Murray Todd Half Marathon on March 10. The 13.1-mile race will take runners through Lincroft, Holmdel and Colts Neck. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. Race day registration is available beginning at 7 a.m. ($60 per person). Details: Email Jeffrey.Papcun@ monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-542-1642, ext. 27.
• The Homebound and Volunteer Services Department of the Ocean County Library is collecting toiletries for foster children. Donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer (small size), soap, shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes, socks and feminine products will be accepted at the Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, during February. A donation box is available at the library. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Volunteer genealogy specialists Richard and Angela Wood will explain “How to Navigate the FamilySearch Website” at the 1:30 p.m. March 10 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Admission is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.
• “The History of the Italian Jews,” a talk by Rabbi Michael Klein (rabbi emeritus, Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell), will be held at 2 p.m. March 31 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Cost to attend is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To reserve a space, call
732-252-6990.
• The New Jersey 782nd Air Force JROTC from Jackson Memorial and Liberty high schools will host its gift auction on March 30 at the Jackson Memorial High School Clayton cafeteria, 101 Don Conner Blvd., Jackson. Doors open at 6 p.m., first prize called at 7:15 p.m. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served; attendees may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages. Entry: $40 per person in advance or $50 at door (both include raffle tickets valued at $50). Additional pre-sale bundles are available for $50. Bundles include raffle tickets valued at $75 and can only be purchased until Feb. 15. To purchase tickets, contact Danielle Balliatico at 732-977-5183 or [email protected]
• John P. Stevens High School, Edison, Class of 1969 will hold its 50-year reunion on Aug. 10 at Galloping Hills Caterers, Union. Cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Payment and RSVP to Donna Ciccone, 9 Anita Ave., Edison, NJ 08820. Details: Debbie DeMauro Bava, email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society is seeking volunteers to join its board. New volunteers are needed to assist the organization with its newsletter, website, publicity, program planning, and/or assist with the organization’s scholarship program. Details:
www.monmouthaudubon.org or email [email protected]
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant will be held at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City on June 5. The pageant seeks ladies, age 60 and over, who best exemplify the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. Judging categories are Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019. Women who are interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534, or by email at [email protected]. Details: www.newjerseysenioramerica.org
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents willing to volunteer to host a child from New York City this summer through the Friendly Towns Program. Children are boys and girls, ages 7-18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or www.freshair.org
• The Friends of the Howell Municipal Alliance meets on the first Monday of each quarter at 7 p.m. at the Echo Lake Pavilion, Howell. Attendees may share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to substance abuse prevention. No membership is necessary. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• The Jackson group of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Ocean County, will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. each Wednesday at the Brighter Days Community Wellness Center, 268 Bennett’s Mills Road, Jackson. DBSA is dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Supportive family members or friends of people who suffer from mental health difficulties are also welcome to attend. No registration, dues or fees are necessary. Details: Maureen, 732-536-5826, or [email protected]
• Ocean County veterans meet monthly to discuss relevant subjects and to plan recreation opportunities. Topics include the transition to civilian life, the VA system, substance use, PTSD/other mental health issues and more. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Journey to Wellness Center, 25 S. Shore Drive, Toms River. Details: 732-244-0940 or email [email protected]
• The Jackson Library’s knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, a new skilled rehabilitation and nursing facility serving the Jewish community, is hosting a free monthly support group called The Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Details: Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012.
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.