Nov. 8
• Basket Raffle and Giant Gift Auction, sponsored by St. Thomas the Apostle HSA, doors open at 6:45, event begins at 8 p.m., in the school auditorium, Route 18 south, Old Bridge. Admission is $15; includes coffee, dessert, door-prize entry, four prize-table tickets. Additional raffle tickets available for purchase. Guests may bring food. Individuals under age 18 not admitted. Smoking not permitted. (732) 360-0468.
Nov. 8-Dec. 15
• Coat Drive, sponsored by Dr. Debra DeMarco of Monroe Chiropractic Care and Gini Mundy of The Well Being, both Jamesburg. Clean, new or gently used coats will go to Jersey Cares, a nonprofit group that aids needy families in New Jersey. Jamesburg drop-off locations: Monroe Chiropractic Care, 15 E. Railroad Ave.; PNC Bank, 36 W. Railroad Ave.; That’s Art, 10A W. Railroad Ave.; 1st Constitution Bank, 1 Harrison St. Call Gini Mundy at (732) 521-1333.
Nov. 8, ongoing
• Adopt-A-Family, sponsored by the South River Elementary School PTA, to make the holiday season more enjoyable for disadvantaged children in South River. Monetary donations, new clothing, new toys, food are sought.
Call Debbie Zemann at (732) 390-0678 or Donna Geesey at (732) 390-8202. Donations accepted throughout the year.
Nov. 9
• Craft Bazaar, sponsored by St. Bartholomew’s Altar Rosary Society, 5-9 p.m., in the church hall, Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. Call Lucy at (732) 846-4771.
• Holiday Jingle Tricky Tray, sponsored by the South River Primary/Elementary School PTA, doors open at 6 p.m., event begins at 8 p.m., at Knights of Columbus Hall, Jackson St., South River. Light refreshments served. Children under age 18 not admitted. Liquor and bent tickets not permitted. Purchase tickets by e-mailing [email protected] or by calling Vicki at (732) 613-0152.
Nov. 9 & 10
• Country Holiday Ham Dinner and Bazaar, sponsored by Spotswood Reformed Church, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 10, at the church, 429 Main St. (across from the Spotswood post office), Bazaar features toys, homemade gifts, Christmas decorations, baked goods, secondhand treasures, surprise packages in the Parcel Post Room, craft room, face-painting for younger children. Soups, sandwiches, beverages, desserts available in the lunchroom until 2 p.m. Ham dinner served from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 only; takeouts available after 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $7 for children under age 12, free of charge to youngsters under age 5. Winners in quilt raffle and other raffles drawn at 1 p.m. Nov. 10. (732) 251-9277.
Nov. 10
• Family Pasta Night, sponsored by Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) School, 4-8 p.m., at the school, 44 Cleveland Ave., Milltown. Pasta, meatballs, sausage and peppers, salad, bread, beverages, dessert, coffee, tea. Music, raffles. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $5 for children; available through the school, at the OLOL Church Rectory, 233 N. Main St., or at the door. Call Geri at (732) 940-4402, e-mail [email protected].
• Adult Bowling Tournament, sponsored by The Prodigal Foundation Inc., to benefit children affected by cancer, 2 p.m., at Woodbridge Bowling Center, 346 Main St. All individuals, regardless of skill level, invited to participate. The tournament will have two divisions and three phases. Participants will be placed according to their bowling average (150 and above or below). Trophies awarded in each division for first, second and third place. Entry forms available at the bowling center. Call (732) 636- 9200 or e-mail [email protected].
• Conklin Coffeehouse, featuring Reunited performing music of the ’50s, ’60s and more, 7-10 p.m., at Conklin United Methodist Church, corner of Main and Gordon streets, South River. Tickets cost $8 each. Refreshments available. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Chris Cosgrove Memorial Fund, Marines Helping Marines, an organization that helps injured soldiers and their families. Call Patti at (732) 257-0559.
• Tricky Tray, sponsored by Order of the Eastern Star, Raritan Chapter No. 58, doors open at 5 p.m., event begins at 7 p.m., at Philo Masonic Lodge, 120 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River. Prizes include gift certificates, theme baskets. Admission donation is $6. Snack bar available. Individuals under age 18 will not be admitted. Smoking not permitted. Seating limited. (732) 254-7093.
• Calvary Coffeehouse, 5:30-9 p.m., in the gym at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Parking available in church parking lot. Call Kathy Lee at (732) 979-0826.
Nov. 10 & 11
• Craft Bazaar, Cake Sale and White-Elephant Sale, sponsored by St. Thomas Seniors, after the 4 and 5 p.m. Masses on Nov. 10, after all Masses (6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) on Nov. 11, in the auditorium at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Route 18 south, Old Bridge. Prizes include a car GPS navigation system, four VIP tickets to “Live With Regis and Kelly,” a Thanksgiving food basket.
Nov. 11
• Book Fair, sponsored by East Brunswick Hadassah, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Barnes and Noble, Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18, East Brunswick. Author Shirley Wachtel will speak at 1 p.m. about her book “The True Story of Blima, A Holocaust Survivor.” Israeli author Michal Gorvin will discuss “Snapshots” at 3 p.m. Books of Jewish interest (including those written by the speakers) and for Hanukkah on display. Store will donate portion of the proceeds to Hadassah. Book-fair vouchers must be presented at the register at the time of purchase. Vouchers may be downloaded from www.eastbrunswick.hadassah.org. Additional vouchers will be available at the Hadassah table in the store. (732) 432-5932.