With local gardeners getting ready to start their spring plantings, the East Brunswick Public Library is opening its EB Grow seed library to the public.
EB Grow began in 2018 as a joint project between the library and the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission.
Housed at the library on Civic Center Drive, the goal of the seed library is to introduce residents to gardening, provide education on seed-saving, and encourage patrons to develop a passion for sustainability and hands-on learning.
Gardeners can view and request one of the three curated garden packs online at www.ebpl.org/ebgrow.
This collection includes easy-to-grow seeds that do well in New Jersey’s climate. Each pack has a different theme, including garden salads.
In addition to the EB Grow seed library, the library circulates a special seeds starting kit through the EB Create lending kit program to its cardholders. The kit includes grow lights and heating mats to help jumpstart plants. Kits can be borrowed by library cardholders for two weeks.
For more information about upcoming programs and events at the East Brunswick Public Library, visit www.ebpl.org.
The Super Bowl is more than just a football game; it is an unofficial holiday. The event rose out of the civil rights movement, specifically the African American boycott of the AFL All Star game.
The East Brunswick Public Library and the Friends of the East Brunswick Public Library will host the online program “The Super Bowl: How America’s Top Sports Event Was Created” at 7 p.m. April 7.
Led by veteran sports broadcaster Evan Weiner, this presentation takes a look at the birth of the Super Bowl, how the event got its name and even the importance of the halftime shows.
Weiner’s program will be hosted online using Zoom.
For more information about this free program, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.
The Arts Institute of Middlesex County is presenting a multitude of arts and culture events throughout April, primarily centered around National Poetry Month.
Highlights include:
- April 7 at 4 p.m. – In celebration of National Poetry Month, join the Civic League of Greater New Brunswick in a reading of “I Saw a Peacock with a Fiery Tail”. After the reading, create your own pen and ink cutouts using your own materials.
- April 14 at 4 p.m. – Explore a folk story told in poetic verse and in two languages through vivid prints in this reading of “The Snow and the Sun,” written and illustrated by Antonio Frasconi. After the reading, experiment with engraving to create multiple prints of your own.
- April 21 at 4 p.m. – Explore the real-life story of the Puerto Rican-American pediatrician and New Jersey-based poet William Carlos Williams as told through multimedia illustrations. Let the images and words inspire you to create your own poems and collages from a variety of your own found papers and other materials.
- April 28 at 4 p.m. – Explore everyday family and community life in the Bahamas through paintings and poetry in a reading of “Under the Sunday Tree,” then create your own everyday scene or portrait in paint.
All programs will be held virtually.
Visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Artsculture for full details on all the events.
To honor National Poetry Month, the Arts Institute will also present a series of videos and content on www.middlesexcountynj.gov/PoetryMonth
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office will hold a town hall meeting on use of force as part of the 21 County 21st Century Community Policing Project.
Middlesex Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, in partnership with the Middlesex County Association of Chiefs of Police and the NAACP, will discuss the recently issued and revised Attorney General’s directive regarding the use of force from 6-7 p.m. April 8.
To join the webinar, visit https://bcove.video/3vOe3gj
Questions may be submitted in advance to [email protected]
The East Brunswick Public Library will host two online programs focusing on retirement and financial income planning this month. Both programs are held online using Zoom.
The first program, “Retirement Income Planning,” is on April 7 at noon. This webinar will help attendees determine how much they will need for the retirement they envision and how to develop a retirement strategy that maximizes their likelihood of success.
The second program, “Planning For Long-Term Care,” is on April 28 at noon. The costs associated with disabilities caused by age and infirmity can have a significant impact on a person’s financial life. This webinar covers the key steps in the process of planning for long-term care.
These webinars are geared toward pre-retirees and retirees.
Registration is requested for these free webinars. To register, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.
The East Brunswick Public Library teams up with Hackensack Meridian Health for the online program “What You Need To Know About Parkinson’s Disease” at noon on April 12 via Zoom.
Alyson Chananie, MS, CCC-SLP, will discuss what Parkinson’s disease is, how it is diagnosed and treated, myths and misconceptions, and the difference between Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.
Registration is requested for this free program. To register, call the library at 732-390-6767 or visit www.ebpl.org/calendar.
The East Brunswick Public Library and Princeton SCORE are teaming up to present two online programs covering eCommerce this spring.
The first program, “Shopify is for Everyone,” is on April 14 at 6:30 pm. Shopify is an online service that allows businesses to set up a virtual storefront on the internet to sell goods and services. The program shows how Shopify makes it easier to run a business website and generate sales.
“Shopify is for Everyone” is led by e-commerce entrepreneur AJ Martofel. He has over eight years of experience leveraging Shopify and other social media platforms to build businesses.
Jeff Bonaldi leads the second program, “5 Key Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business” on May 12 at 6:30 pm. This program covers several topics, including email marketing, search engine optimization, online advertising, strategic partnerships and customer engagement.
Bonaldi is the founder and CEO of Explorer’s Passage, an adventure travel company. His business’ objective is to tackle the world’s most important social and environmental issues through travel experiences across the planet.
SCORE Princeton is a nonprofit organization serving central New Jersey. They provide free and confidential business mentoring, business workshops and an online library of helpful resources. To learn more about SCORE Princeton, visit princeton.score.org.
These two programs are held online using the Zoom platform.
For more information or to join either event, go to the library’s event calendar at www.ebpl.org/calendar.
Edward Mendlowitz, CPA and Emeritus Partner with WithumSmith+Brown, PC, teams up with the East Brunswick Public Library to present the online program “How Warren Buffett Did It” via Zoom at noon on April 29.
Warren Buffet is one of the most successful investors of all time. The program will present a brief biography of Buffett, his investing principles and how Berkshire Hathaway became the vehicle for his wealth.
This program is part of the East Brunswick Public Library’s “Take A Business Break” program series, where Mendlowitz explores and discusses business and finance topics.
The program is free and open to the public.
To register for this online program or for more information, visit www.ebpl.org/calendar or call 732-390-6767.
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To help feed families in need who observe Passover, donate unexpired, non-perishable food at the yellow bins in front of the East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.
Matzoh is not needed.
The food will be brought to the Jewish Family Services Kosher Food Pantry.
Donations will be collected through April 9.
To make a monetary donation, visit https://jfsmiddlesex.org/passover/
The East Brunswick Woman’s Club (EBWC) will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. April 13 via Zoom.
Current club projects and activities will be discussed as they relate to helping the community, such as community food drives and opportunities for future events.
Confirmation of officers for the next club year will occur.
The EBWC brings together women of East Brunswick and neighboring towns in service and friendship while promoting civic, educational and social activities. During the current club year, members have worked together to support local organizations and provide several scholarships for East Brunswick High School and vocational school seniors.
The East Brunswick chapter is part of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJFWC), headquartered at Rutgers University.
Anyone interested in learning more about the club’s activities or to participate in the virtual Zoom meeting should call Laura at 732-254- 5742 or Joyce at 732-822-8989.
East Brunswick PBA Locals 145 and 145A (Superior Officers Association) will hold a chicken and ribs fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. April 15 at Chelsea Senior Living, 606 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
This is a COVID-friendly grab & go drive-thru event. Social distancing and face coverings are required.
The Chelsea is donating all food for this charitable event.
Proceeds raised will benefit future PBA 145 and 145A community events, including support to local charitable groups.
Place pre-orders no later than April 12 by calling 732-651-6100.
The East Brunswick Woman’s Club will hold a yard sale on April 9 and 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 11 Darby Road, near Dunhams Corner Road and Prescott Road, East Brunswick. Rain dates are April 16 and 17 at the same time.
Proceeds from the sales will support community projects and offer several scholarships to seniors from East Brunswick High School and the vo-tech.
For more information, call Linda at 732-522-1314 or Laura at 732-254-5742.
Pedaling for a Purpose, the Raritan Valley YMCA’s eighth annual Spin-a-thon, will be held on April 10.
The outdoor, COVID-safe fundraiser will be held at the Y, 144 Tices Lane, East Brunswick.
Sessions are at 9:15 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.
There will also be Zumba at 10:15 a.m. and Zumba Toning at 11:15 a.m.
Proceeds will support senior fitness, fund child care needs, provide youth programming, support drowning prevention efforts, and assist with family and teen activities.
Reservations are first come, first served.
The cost is $35 per person per activity.
To register or donate, visit https://raritanvalleyymca.org/member-connection#/programs/22527376/8th-annual-spin-a-thon-april-10-2021/
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is hosting a free virtual lecture series on adolescent and family health issues.
Organized by Saint Peter’s Opioid Task Force, this virtual lecture series is designed for parents and families. The presentation will address common parental concerns about the numerous ways the pandemic has impacted teens, from issues like isolation to how they cope, socialize and develop. The series will also explore addiction which has escalated during the pandemic and resources for successful recovery.
Each lecture will start at 6:30 p.m.
The full list of lecture topics is:
April 7: Recovery Coaches, presented by Bonnie Nolan, PhD, Woodbridge Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (WOORP)
Registration link: https://SaintPetersHCS.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dcB-NO7KQbCuOm1fhIIvqw
April 21: Successful Recovery from Addiction, presented by Don Rogers, Community Outreach director at The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper
Registration link: https://SaintPetersHCS.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5QCvDKsbSk-JkDa2sAna3w
For more information on any of the virtual lectures, contact Robert J. LaForgia, coordinator, Healthier Middlesex, at [email protected] or 732-745-8600, ext. 5831. Allow up to 48 hours for a response.
United Way of Central Jersey is continuing to provide VITA services to prepare taxes this season for individuals and families making $65,000 or less.
All taxes will be prepared remotely via video conferencing and/or phone.
To schedule an appointment, visit https://uwcjtaxprep.as.me/schedule.php
For VITA Lockbox locations, visit https://tinyurl.com/VITALockbox
To prepare your own taxes for free, visit www.myfreetaxes
The contest is open to all graduating high school seniors who are residents of South River and who are planning to continue their education.
To apply for the award, submit a typed essay of no less than 1,000 words (approximately two pages, single spaced in 12-point font) describing something that took place in South River in your lifetime. An event need only be of significance to you; it need not have been a major event in South River’s history.
Essays are judged by members of the South River Historical & Preservation Society and will be added to the permanent collections at the South River Museum – Old School Baptist Church. Judging is based solely on the quality of the essays, and all awards will be at the discretion of the judges.
Sponsored by the South River Historical & Preservation Society, award amounts will be $500 first place, $350 second place, and $150 for third place.
Submissions must be sent via email and include full name, address, phone number, email address, school name, expected date of graduation, date of submission and future education plans (e.x. college name).
Email the electronic version to [email protected]
Or, mail a paper version to South River History Essay Contest, South River Historical & Preservation Society, Inc., P.O. Box 446, South River 08882.
East Brunswick residents can turn the page on a winter spent mostly indoors by renting a plot at the township’s Community Garden, located adjacent to the municipal complex off Rues Lane.
A limited number of 10-foot by 10-foot plots are now available for new gardeners on a first-come, first-served basis for $45 for the first season. The garden is open to township residents and people who work in East Brunswick.
All gardeners are required to put in four hours of community garden service each year by working with a committee and participating in work days, or paying $40 in lieu of service. Gardeners can select from a list of committees found on the registration form.
For more information and to register for a plot, visit registration form.
The garden’s website offers timely articles, tips and tricks for gardeners, a calendar of events and information on donating surplus produce. Gardeners have donated more than a ton of surplus produce in the last few years. Meetings and events during the year also give gardeners a chance to share ideas outside the garden.
To keep gardeners safe, several rules, including mandatory mask wearing and social distancing while in the garden were instituted last year.
For more information, email to [email protected].
The East Brunswick Community Garden is a project of the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.
Middlesex College is developing apprenticeship opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing through Career Advance USA, a U.S. Department of Labor-funded grant.
Apprenticeships, developed and implemented in collaboration with employers, are earn-and-learn programs that combine formal classroom learning with on-the-job training.
Those interested in the program should register for a virtual information session at middlesexcc.edu/manufacturing-apprenticeships. They will be held over Zoom at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, April 13 and May 11.
The college is also looking for employers interested in developing workers.
For more information about the grant and how to participate, visit middlesexcc.edu/manufacturing-apprenticeships or contact Yarelis Figueroa at [email protected] or John Miller at [email protected].
Films focusing on climate change and its impact will be featured in the East Brunswick Public Library’s first-ever virtual film festival.
The upcoming series includes “Fire and Flood: Queer Resilience in the Era of Climate Change,” April 20-21, examines how the LGBTQ communities of Puerto Rico and Santa Rosa survived Hurricane Maria and wildfires, in late 2017. The film explores the vulnerability of LGBTQ communities to climate disasters. This film is not yet rated but runs 102 minutes. Trailer not available.
The Option Green Virtual Film Festival is part of the ongoing partnership between the library and the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission. Each year, the two organizations host free events on environmental topics led by experts in the field.
The film series is funded by the American Library Association’s “Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change” pilot program.
The films will be available for online viewing. Participants can sign up for these free screenings online at www.ebpl.org/optiongreen. Links to view the films will be sent to ticket holders at the start time of this event, and will expire 48 hours later. Following each screening, there will be an ongoing, discussion on the EBPL Discord server. Attendees will receive the link in their ticket.
Free tree seedlings will be available as part of the New Jersey Forest Service’s New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign.
Residents can pick up tree seedlings from 9 a.m. to noon April 24 at Great Oak Park, 260 Rues Lane, East Brunswick.
Seedlings, available on a first-come, first-served basis, come with instructions on how to store, care for and plant the trees. The guides help residents choose the right place on a property to plant a tree while keeping in mind the tree’s full-grown size in the future.
Residents should plant the seedlings within two days after pickup in order to prevent the roots from drying out.
Each individual must wear a mask and line up on the socially distanced markings that will be placed on the ground while waiting for the seedlings to be distributed.
For a list of distribution locations across the state, visit www.forestry.nj.gov or www.facebook.com/newjerseyforests.
For more information on East Brunswick’s event, email Jill Veit at [email protected]
Township children who will be 5 years of age on or before Oct. 31, 2021, are eligible for the East Brunswick Public School full-day kindergarten program for the 2021-22 school year.
Visit www.ebnet.org/register to schedule a virtual appointment. All required forms and additional information can be found on the website.
To assist in planning for the upcoming school, register by April 30.
Students will be invited to participate in an informal screening process in the summer.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Working Together to Prevent Youth Suicide will be presented by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, Monmouth University SRF Suicide Prevention Research and Training Project and the School of Nursing and Health Studies, New Jersey Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, New Jersey Department of Children and Families, the New Jersey Traumatic Loss Coalition, and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
The free virtual conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon on April 29.
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OK4X_jzXTIqHYvDtrLW5PA
For more information, contact Sharleen van Vlijmen at [email protected]
Student athletes Darcy Fruhschein of North Brunswick and Mackenzie Keane of East Brunswick, who are GMC bowlers, have teamed up to create Bowl for the Battle Youth Scholarship Tournament, a bowling fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society for breast cancer support.
Check in time on May 8 is 8:30 a.m.; start time is 9 a.m. at Bowlero North Brunswick, 1 Caroler Lane, North Brunswick.
There will be two divisions: handicap and scratch.
Entry fee is $60 per athlete.
Proceeds will provide scholarship money to student athletes.
Pre-register at [email protected]
For more information, call 732-846-2424, ext. 4950 or email [email protected]
The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold the 75th annual Bernie Cohn Golf Classic from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 13.
Tee time is 9 a.m. at the Banks Course, Forsgate Country Club, 375 Forsgate Dr., Monroe.
Sign up at mcrcc.org or https://shotgunflat.wufoo.com/forms/z1qupopx0qkzr0t/
Eligible adult students and graduates with the potential to succeed in college can apply for the 2021 NJALL Scholarships.
NJALL will award two scholarships on June 18 to two adults who earned a high school diploma by attending a New Jersey adult education program to prepare for a High School Equivalency Test or Adult High School and have been accepted to/or are attending college.
The Scholarship NOW provides up to $1,000 per semester for full-time enrollment, (pro-rated for part-time) to a maximum of $8,000 for higher education.
To qualify, an applicant must be a resident of New Jersey. Scholarship applications are open to anyone regardless of gender, race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation or disabling condition.
The 2021 application with eligibility information is available at https://files.constantcontact.com/2333e3fb001/c398a7eb-91b8-4dfa-9f55-18a3a701099f.pdf
All applications must be submitted, including all required documents, postmarked no later than May 10.
Applications for the 2021-22 East Brunswick High School Bears and Cubs Preschool Program are available online at www.ebnet.org/preschool
This program is free to East Brunswick residents.
The Bears and Cubs Preschool is an elective for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers involving children. The high school students plan and execute a developmentally appropriate curriculum lesson for the whole preschool class or their specific preschooler under the supervision of a certified teacher.
Prior to the preschool students’ arrival, the high school students learn about child development, teaching methods, how to conduct an observation, appropriate lesson planning as well as routines that are needed to work with preschool-aged children.
Applications must be returned by May 20. Notification of acceptance will be sent to parents by the end of June.
The first day of school will be in late October; the date is yet to be determined.
This free program operates three days a week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). There is one session in the morning from 8-10 a.m. The child must be 3 years old as of Oct. 31, 2021, and no older than 4 years, 8 months. The child must be toilet trained and up-to-date with all immunizations.
For further information, refer to www.ebnet.org/preschool.
The East Brunswick Public School District Community Programs Department again is offering the Early Learning Academy preschool classes.
This parent-pay program is for 3- and 4-year-old children residing in East Brunswick and surrounding areas.
To be eligible for the 2021-22 school year, children must be 3 years of age by Oct. 31, 2021, and not age-eligible for kindergarten (5 years of age by Oct. 31, 2021).
Children must be toilet trained.
The curriculum design and implementation is based on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards and the Preschool Implementation Guidelines. Certified supervisors with expertise in the field of early childhood and school readiness oversee the planning and preparation for the program.
The program provides parents the opportunity to register their child for a five-day/week developmentally appropriate learning experience within the school district.
This tuition-based program is five days per week. Half-day (a.m. or p.m.), mid-day extension, and full-day including early morning and/or after school care are available.
The program is located in a designated section in the Hammarskjold Middle School, with security and its own designated pick-up and drop-off doors.
Transportation for this program is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Visit www.ebnet.org/ela for full registration instructions, including fees and all required forms.
A non-refundable registration fee plus the first month’s tuition must be received to reserve a spot in the program. Credit card payments are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) as well as via e-check.
For more information or questions regarding the registration process, curriculum and program content information, email [email protected] or call 732-613-6629.
Enrollment for the current school year is still being accepted for the in-person 5 day per week half and full day programs. Visit www.ebnet.org/ela
For summer, in-person 3- or 6-week programs (half and full day), visit www.ebnet.org/elasummer.
The East Brunswick Public School District Community Programs Department is again offering summer in-person Kindergarten Readiness Academy and Summer Early Learning Academy programs to all East Brunswick residents, as well as surrounding communities.
The Kindergarten Readiness Academy is designed to provide students entering kindergarten with continued quality programming prior to kindergarten. Participation in this program will focus on essential kindergarten readiness skills, therefore providing a head start for all participants. These essential kindergarten skills are aligned with the East Brunswick Kindergarten curriculum.
Additionally, the program enables us to provide comprehensive transition information for children to their Kindergarten teacher.
The Summer Early Learning Academy will offer a fun-filled summer care program for 3- and 4-year olds who will not be entering Kindergarten in September 2021. Activities and themes are designed to promote children’s social and cognitive development.
Both programs will also concentrate on closing the learning gap that research shows traditionally occurs over summer months. They will provide your child a summer of fun including Science, Carnival, Olympic and Ocean-themed weeks, plus more. Kindergarten
Readiness Academy and Summer Early Learning Academy will have full- and half-day programs, running from June 28 to Aug. 10, with the option to attend three weeks, or all six weeks.
Visit www.ebnet.org/elasummer for registration instructions and program details.
Ongoing
Spring youth soccer registration for Milltown residents is now open.
Visit milltownnj.org/Recreation to register.
The Lost Souls Memorial Project (LSP) is releasing the official Request for Design Proposals (RFP), seeking design teams to submit their ideas about what the future Lost Souls memorial will be in East Brunswick.
The LSP seeks to create a permanent memorial to 137 African Americans who, in 1818, were stolen from New Jersey and transported to the Deep South to be sold into permanent slavery. Jacob Van Wickle, a corrupt Middlesex County judge, organized an extensive ring that included members of his family as well as highly placed members of the New Jersey elite. The state was phasing out slavery at the time, and under the state’s gradual emancipation laws no slave could be sent out of state without having given formal legal consent. The judge and his ring used deception, fakery and outright kidnapping of both free and enslaved people, who were held under guard in his home in what is now East Brunswick, New Jersey. They were sent on ships from Perth Amboy to Louisiana and Mississippi, many ending on the plantation owned by Van Wickle’s brother-in-law. Had they remained in New Jersey, they would in time have become free according to the state’s laws.
Outrage when the ring was discovered led to a few indictments, but Van Wickle was never brought to account, and the affair was forgotten.
The purpose of the Lost Souls Public Memorial is to ensure that these children, women and men are never again forgotten, and this horrific event be brought to light.
The New Brunswick NAACP, the New Jersey Chapter of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, and The Unitarian Society, as well as other community groups and individuals, are working to bring this project to life.
For more information about the project, and to access the RFP, visit lostsoulsmemorialnj.org.
The Monroe Township Police Department created a new Facebook page and Instagram account in 2020.
In an effort to reach more residents, the department created a new Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MonroePoliceNJ
The department’s Instagram account is www.instagram.com/MonroePoliceNJ/
The Facebook page is www.facebook.com/MonroePoliceNJ/
For more information, visit the department’s website at www.monroetwppolice.org/
The South River Police Department responds to emergency and non-emergency calls at businesses 24 hours a day. Occasionally, it becomes necessary to contact someone from the business outside of business hours. To assist police with having this information available when needed, the department maintains a database containing after hours contact phone numbers for business owners and representatives.
Anytime a new business is opened, business ownership is transferred, there are changes in employment status of listed contacts, or there are changes in positions or job titles of listed contacts, a business should be registered – but registration is 100% voluntary.
Information will be stored in a secure database. In the event it is deemed necessary by first responders on scene, the Communications Center can access the information and quickly reach a business owner or representative.
To register a business, visit southriverpd.org/business-registration and download the business registration form. The completed form can be submitted by emailing it to [email protected], faxing it to 732-613-6103, or dropping it off at headquarters, 61 Main St., South River.
For more information on registering an alarm, call 732-257-1999.
Monroe Township is seeking volunteers who, along with township employees, will be matched with a specific senior or other individual who does access to technology or family support to help navigate the state’s COVID-19 Appointment Vaccine System.
Any residents who wish to help a senior should email [email protected] with their name, address and phone number.
As more volunteers are signed up, information will be provided on how seniors can request assistance.
Central Jersey SCORE, a non-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administration, is looking for volunteers to assist people looking to start a business or grow an existing small business.
The organization is recruiting business owners and executives, both current and retired, who want to share their experience and knowledge with today’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
The Central Jersey Chapter of SCORE serves Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.
Central Jersey SCORE provides in-person mentoring and webinars, both offered virtually in line with current pandemic restrictions. In addition, the SCORE website offers tools and templates on a wide variety of topics and numerous online courses and webinars to assist small business owners through every aspect of business development and management. Services are offered free of charge.
Anyone interested in volunteering with SCORE or seeking additional information should email [email protected]
The Jewish Family Services Food Pantry needs volunteers to organize its food pantry and supply closet, located at 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe.
Monroe Township residents can apply for current and future openings on township boards, commissions and advisory councils.
Monroe is accepting volunteer applications for appointments to the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee, Affordable Housing Board, Commission on Aging, Cultural Arts Commission, Environmental Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Human Relations Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Open Space & Farmland Preservation Commission, Planning Board, Recreation Advisory Board, Shade Tree Commission, Sustainable Jersey – Green Team Advisory Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Residents should visit https://monroetwp.com/index.php/boards-commissions and select from a list of boards and commissions to review full descriptions of each group.
They then can send the downloadable form located at the bottom of the boards and commissions page of the website for their area of interest.
Submissions may be sent to the Municipal Clerk by mail at the Administrative Offices, by email at [email protected], or by fax to 732-521-3190.
All submissions will be retained for a maximum period of one year from the date of filing.
Volunteer vaccinators may be needed in Middlesex County and at other vaccination sites.
Licensed nurses, doctors and medical professionals who are willing to volunteer should email their name, address, phone number and license information to Lt. Jangols of the Monroe Township Police Department at [email protected]
Gain stability from an in-demand occupation; apply for a Women’s Center career training grant from Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County.
Qualified persons who are active members of the JFS Women’s Center must submit an application and attend an interview. Grants are available for short-term training programs for in-demand jobs.
Eligible candidates must qualify as a “displaced homemaker,” a woman who is a single mother, divorced, separated, widowed, or living with a disabled spouse/partner.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, email [email protected]
French American School Princeton (FASP) is accepting enrollment.
At FASP, students in preschool (3 years old) through grade 8 benefit from a rigorous bilingual curriculum accredited by the Middle State Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools and the French Ministry of Education; personalized attention thanks to small class sizes; and a multicultural community with more than 30 nationalities represented.
FAPS is located at 75 Mapleton Road, Princeton.
Visit ecoleprinceton.org, call 609-430-3001 or email [email protected].
NAMI In Our Own Voice (NAMI En Nuestra Propia Voz) is a program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Jersey chapter geared toward community education and reducing the stigma of mental health, as trained volunteers share their lived experience of mental health recovery.
To schedule a presentation at a school, PTA meeting, congregation, town hall, support group or professional training, email [email protected]
Presentations are available in English and Spanish.
To document the experiences of the community while living through the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Brunswick Public Library has been collecting submissions to a COVID-19 Community Time Capsule.
The time capsule can be viewed online at www.ebpl.org/history
The library is still taking submissions at this time.
The Community Pet Food Bank by New Beginnings Animal Rescue is open from 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, with varying hours on Saturdays, on the grounds of Nativity Lutheran Church, 552 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick.
For more information, visit nbarnj.org
The Jamesburg Public Library will hold its board meetings on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
These meetings are open to the public, and will take place on Zoom for the remainder of the year.
Visit jamesburglibrary.org or www.facebook.com/JamesburgLibrary/ for further information.
Each meeting will have a different Zoom link and passcode
The East Brunswick Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department is collecting non-perishable food, cash and gift cards for distribution to Aldersgate Community Outreach Center.
Drop off food in the back of the box truck parked in the parking lot, 334 Dunhams Corner Road; the door is kept down so lift it to put donations inside.
Or, drop cash/check/gift cards in an envelope and put in the drop box next to the front door to the Recreation Department.
Raritan Valley YMCA is encouraging residents to #StayWithUs during this time, in particular by visiting the Y’s Facebook page for virtual events, programs and classes.
Adult programs include group fitness classes provided by Y360, Les Mills and from Y instructors. Programs and classes will be updated on a week-to-week basis. The ZOOM app is required; email [email protected] for log-in details.
The Facebook page also features live story time and creative arts with Ms. Preeti and Ms. Brenda.
Details Camp Yomeca day camp are available on the website. Online registration is open.
For more information, visit raritanvalleyymca.org.
Monroe Township Jewish War Veterans Post 609 is collecting United States and foreign stamps, both on and off envelopes.
Stamps are used by veterans as hobbies and as therapy to support medical staff at VA Medical Centers nationwide.
Stamps are not traded or sold; they are forwarded to veteran patients at no charge.
Also requested are DVDs suitable for veterans at those locations.
Send all items to JWV Post 609, c/o Charles Koppelman, 6 Yarmouth Dr., Monroe 08831-4742.
The East Brunswick Domestic Response Team is seeking volunteers.
Citizens are trained to respond to local police departments on an on-call basis to provide support and information to victims of domestic abuse.
For more information, email [email protected].
The Korean War/Defense Veterans Association Central Jersey Chapter No. 148 extends an invitation to any veterans, regardless of branch of service, who served during the war from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, in any location, including Europe, or who have served in Korea from July 27, 1953, through the present.
The group meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month —except January through April — at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza.
Membership dues are $25 to the Korean War Veterans Association and $10 chapter fee per year.
The chapter is involved in various functions during the year, including parades, flag raisings, visiting the Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City, etc.
For more information, contact Charles Koppelman at 609-655-3111 or [email protected].
Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey seeks compassionate volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families.
Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes, which can also be nursing facilities or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. They read to the patient, reminisce about their lives, play cards, help with letter writing and provide respite for caregivers.
Visits can be virtual, and are either during the day or early evening.
Volunteers may also assist with administrative work within the hospice office.
Patient care volunteers complete an application and attend a virtual volunteer training program that covers the role of a hospice volunteer. Day and evening virtual training programs are offered.
To sign up for the next virtual training class, contact Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Adams at 732-405-3035 or email [email protected].