• Girl Scout Brownie Troop 948, Howell, will hold a garage sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon March 24 at 22 Bunker Hill Drive, Howell. Children’s toys, clothes, household items, books and more.
• No Stigma Network (NSN) offers free peer support meetings and social events for community members living with mental health challenges. Meetings take place in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus at the CentraState Health Complex, Freehold Township. NSN Young Adults (18-30) support group will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 in in the Health and Wellness Center. NSN Adults Over-30 support group will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 in the Jack Aaronson Conference Center. NSN Parents support group will meet from 7-9 p.m. March 16 in the Jack Aaronson Conference Center. Details: Visit nostigmanetwork.com, email [email protected] or call Shrabanee, 732-533-7632, or Linda, 732-939-2092.
• The Monmouth County Park System is seeking people to join the Volunteer Trails Team. Visit the Thompson Park Visitor Center, 805 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft, from 10 a.m. to noon March 10 for more information. Prospective volunteers (age 16 and up) are invited to the free training workshop. After attending the workshop, volunteers can assist during trail work sessions throughout the season. The park system is also seeking docents and individuals to assist with gardening and special park projects. Those interested in learning about these volunteer opportunities are invited to Find Your Path in Volunteering from 1-3 p.m. March 10 at the Thompson Park Visitor Center (age 14 and up). To register for either session, call 732-842-4000, ext. 4283, or email [email protected]
• Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on April 22. The cost of $34 includes bus transportation, sandwich and beverage, $25 in slot play from the casino and gratuity for the driver. The bus will leave Jackson at noon and return at 9 p.m. Proceeds will assist Rotary Club charities. For reservations, call Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a pancake breakfast to benefit the Jackson Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to noon March 11 at the Jackson Senior Center, 45 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson. All are invited to attend. Guests are asked to bring the following donations for the food pantry: peanut butter, decaf coffee, tea, juices, cereals, oatmeal, pudding, Jell-O, diapers (size 2 and size 4) and bar soap.
• Siloam United Methodist Church, 67 Siloam Road (Route 527), Freehold Township, will host its annual corned beef and cabbage dinner (and more) from 4-6 p.m. March 17. Dinner is buffet style, all you can eat. Residents of all towns and all ages are welcome to attend. The donation is $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Details: 732-928-0193 or 848-525-5883 (day of event).
• The Shrewsbury Chorale will hold a giant indoor garage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 at the First United Methodist Church, 103 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. There will be hndreds of items, plus baked goods. Details: 732-747- 1362.
• Designer Handbag Bingo will be held at 7 p.m. March 23 at the Southard firehouse, 4611 Route 9, Howell. The event will benefit CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties’ 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Sandwiches, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. Tickets: $30 in advance; $35 at the door (cash only). No one under 18 admitted. Tickets can be purchased online at Designer Handbag Bingo – March 23, 2018. Details: 732-240-6104 or email [email protected]
• An indoor flea market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 10 at St. Stephens Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1344 White Oak Bottom Road, Toms River. In addition to vendors, there will be a Ukrainian kitchen with hot homemade ethnic foods and homemade cakes. Handicapped accessible, free parking, free admission. Vendors may call 732-323-0168 for information (leave a message).
• “Newspapers: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” will be the topic of the 2 p.m. March 11 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Shamele Jordon will take her audience into the world of newspapers beyond obituaries to show what researchers can try when traditional records fall short. The public is invited to attend. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Basket and Bag Bingo will be presented by the Cookstown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary on April 14 at the New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), New Egypt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Bingo starts promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Call Karen Ivins at 609-668-2030 for tickets and more information.
• The New Egypt Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary of Plumsted will hold its annual chicken salad and bake sale on March 25. Residents of all communities are invited to place an order. Pre-orders for chicken salad must be placed by March 15. A pints costs $6.50 and a quart costs $13. Details: Debbie, 738-2241, or Sheila, 609-306-8831.
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents who would like to host a child this summer through the fund’s Friendly Towns Program. The children participate in activities with their host family during their stay. The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Children are boys and girls, ages 7 to 18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or visit www.freshair.org
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2018 is seeking contestants age 60 and over. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City will host the pageant on June 6. There are four judging categories: Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2018. Individuals interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534 or via email at [email protected]
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is seeking new members who love to sing and perform. Interested individuals are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Details: 732-446-9782.
• 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.
• 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.