• The Monmouth County Park System will host its annual Creative Arts and Music Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1 at Thompson Park, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. This juried arts festival features specially selected artists’ works of pottery, photography, jewelry, paintings and other mediums. The family friendly event includes free activities, artist demonstrations and live music. Admission and parking are free. Face masks are required inside buildings or when social distancing cannot be maintained. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• New Jersey Blood Services is conducting blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled in the near future: May 5, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, 1-7 p.m.; May 10, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, 1-7 p.m. To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• New Jersey Blood Services will host a blood drive from 1-7 p.m. April 29 in the store between Cheesecake Factory and Chico’s at the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township. All donor types are needed. Appointments are strongly suggested; visit https://nybc.org/newjerseydrive (sponsor code 65805) or call 800-933-2566. Eat and drink before donating; bring donor ID card or ID with name and photo to the blood drive. Individuals who have received a COVID vaccine have no waiting period before donating blood as long as they are feeling well.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will present “Kreplach and Dim Sum – Yes, There are Jews in China!” at 2 p.m. May 2. The event will be a Zoom talk by Robyn Helzner. Admission is free (donations are welcome). For reservations, call 732-252-6990, email [email protected] or visit www.jhmomc.org
• Manalapan municipal officials will host a paper shredding event on April 24 at the Franklin Lane commuter parking lot. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the truck is full. This service is for Manalapan residents only, ID must be shown. Remain in your vehicle and wear a mask when communicating with staff. Township staff will remove boxes from the vehicle’s trunk and bring them to the shredding truck. Mayor Jack McNaboe and Deputy Mayor Susan Cohen will be on site from 9-10:30 a.m. Residents may stop by and discuss any issues regarding the township.
• CentraState Medical Center is launching a new online grief support group led by licensed clinical social workers certified in grief counseling to assist individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group is open for adult members of the community who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The private groups will provide a safe, non-judgmental space for participants to share their emotions and struggles. The group will meet via Zoom on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 3 p.m. beginning May 6. To register, call 732-303-5170 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus (a chapter of Sweet Adelines International) is holding a virtual membership night on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. The chorus sings four-part a cappella harmony. Individuals who like to sing, love to learn, have fun and make new friends are invited to visit the chorus’ rehearsal. Send an email to [email protected] or call 732-446-9782 to receive a link to join the event.
• The Art Society of Monmouth County will host the Ruth Crown Memorial Art Exhibit sponsored by the Crown family in memory of their mother, water colorist Ruth Crown, a founding member of the Monmouth Arts Gallery, the endowment from which funded the formation of the Art Society of Monmouth County. The exhibit will display a wide range of members’ artwork at https://www.artsocietyofmonmouthcounty.org/ beginning April 10. An awards reception will be held April 24 at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. To “attend” the Zoom presentation, emails with the Zoom link will be sent to those who have subscribed to the society’s e-newsletter from its website.
• New Jersey Blood Services has scheduled blood drives at the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township (store between Cheesecake Factory and Chico’s). All blood types are needed. Dates are April 29. Appointments strongly suggested. For an appointment, visit https://nybc.org/newjerseydrive (sponsor code 65805) or call 800-933-2566. Bring ID with name and photo. Individuals who have received the COVID vaccine have no waiting period before donating blood as long as they are feeling well.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Splendid Spring Strolls on April 26 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township (meet in the Visitor Center parking lot). Join a park system naturalist on a peaceful trail walk. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. Free. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or 732-842-4000.
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
• New Jersey Blood Services, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. Blood drive volunteers assist donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service and be able to perform tasks as needed. Must have transportation. All training is provided. For additional information, call or text Sharon Zetts at 732-850-8906, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To apply online as a blood drive volunteer, visit https://www.nybc.org/support-us/volunteer-nybc/volunteer-application/
• Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking volunteers to provide support to hospice patients and their families throughout Monmouth County. Volunteers visit with patients in their home, which can also be nursing facilities and/or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. Visits can also be virtual and are during the day or early evening. Details: Deborah Adams, 732-405-3035, or email [email protected]
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcomes stitchers of all levels. Evening stitchers will meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Day stitchers will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit website:www.mcega.org
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.