• DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, invites community members to celebrate Advent and Christmas. Sunday worship is at 9:30 a.m. and the Christmas Cantata will be presented during the Dec. 16 service. On Dec. 24, there will be a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-928-4475 or debowsumc.org
• All community members are invited to visit “Journey to Bethlehem,” a Christmas drive-through event, from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2 at Old Tennent Church, 450 Tennent Road, Manalapan. There will be live actors and animals along the 1.5-mile drive. Free admission. Details: 732-446-6299 or www.oldtennent.org
• Millstone Township Recreation will host its annual holiday lighting event from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Millstone Township firehouse, Stagecoach Road. All are welcome to attend. There will be baked goods, refreshments, holiday gifts for children and a performance by the Millstone Township Middle School chorus. Details: 732-917-2954.
• Millstone Township Recreation is conducting its annual toy drive of new, unwrapped toys, now through Dec. 7. Toys may be dropped off at the municipal building, 470 Stagecoach Road, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: 732-917-2954 or www.millstonerec.org
• Millstone Township Recreation invites students in grades eight through 12 to volunteer for its sports programs and special events. Young adults may complete community service hours for school, religious organizations or clubs. To see volunteer opportunities, visit www.millstonerec.org
• A bake sale and craft show will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown, 50 Main St., Englishtown. A variety of baked goods will be available, and vendors will be selling crafts and wares. Vendors are needed. Leave a message to reserve a table. Details: 732-740-4880.
• 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. Call Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012, or email [email protected] for more information.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council will present its sixth annual Freehold Borough Arts and Crafts Show on Dec. 1 at the Park Avenue Elementary School, 280 Park Ave., Freehold, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Teachers Association will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Shadowbrook, 1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank and an unwrapped new book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before Nov. 30. New members are always welcome.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus presents “Jukebox Jingles” with special guests The Trentones at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Call for tickets, 732-474-8529, or online at https://honj.org/node/1659
• The Allentown Public Library has announced that the Allentown afghans, which were created and sold by the Women’s Association of Allentown, are now available for the first time since 2008. The afghans were designed by Joanne Tourine and show nine historic structures, including the Imlay Mansion, Gov. Newell’s home, the Presbyterian Church, Abel Cafferty’s Mill house and the iconic mill and the Allentown Baptist Church that is now home to the library. The afghans are available in hunter green, cranberry and colonial blue. They are available for purchase at the library, 16 S. Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Allentown Public Library Association in support of the library building.
• 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.