Editor’s note: In light of recent events related to coronavirus, some organizations have decided to cancel their upcoming programs. Please check the status of any event before attending.
There is an urgent need for blood donations to help patients who have cancer, blood disorders, need surgeries, or experience traumas that lead to the emergency room.
As the COVID-19 pandemic destroys the traditional blood drive model, 75% of the incoming supply is threatened, according to information provided by the New Jersey Blood Services division of the New York Blood Center.
The start of the school year usually boosts donations, according to the statement, but offers no relief this year amid COVID.
Plus, many blood drives have been canceled.
The Spotswood VFW will host a blood drive from 1-7 p.m. Aug. 27 at the post, 33 Daniel Road, Spotswood.
Appointments are highly recommended. Walk ins will be accommodated only if social distancing permits.
Donors must wear a face mask. They will have their temperatures taken. They must be 14 days symptom-free if recovered from COVID-19.
They may not donate if they had a positive test diagnostic test or had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
For an appointment, visit https://tinyurl.com/spots0827 or call or text Lynne at 732-616-9284.
United Way Central Jersey’s annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive will accept donations of $15 per student online at www.uwcj.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=13
Organizations and businesses can also hold a traditional supply drive with requested items including backpacks, folders, notebooks, markers, crayons, No. 2 pencils, glue, erasers, scissors, pencil sharpener, highlighters and pens; plus personal protective equipment, adult and child masks, hand sanitizer, wipes and facial tissues.
For a full list of needed supplies or to make arrangements to drop off items, email Patricia Desiderio at [email protected]
Featuring Master of Ceremonies Brian Gibbs, comedian Oliver Samuels, playwright Debra Ehrhardt, DJ Larry Ranks vs. DJ G-Royal of RSR Sound, Barrelman Radio and DJ Naturalist.
Wear all white and present your Jamaican flag.
Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County is accepting donations of gift cards, new supplies, and financial contributions to make sure that students have what they need to succeed in school.
Call 732-777-1940 or email [email protected] to arrange a supply donation.
To make a monetary donation, visit https://jfsmiddlesex.org/donate-form/.
A health literacy social worker is available to assist patrons of the East Brunswick Public Library.
Emerith Hernandez Cortes, MSW, is a bilingual social worker who speaks Spanish and English. She can help with needs such as food, housing, addiction, health services, job loss, small business recovery, places to find employment, and mental health topics.
Appointments can be made by calling 732-518-8247 or by emailing [email protected]. These appointments are digital on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sessions are private and confidential.
The program runs through Nov. 30.
This service is offered through the library’s Just For The Health Of It! consumer health and wellness information initiative. It is offered through a grant from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
To learn more, visit www.justforthehealthofit.org.
CASA of Middlesex County is seeking volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused or neglected.
When a child is in foster care, having a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) means they are more likely to find a permanent home, spend less time in foster care, and perform better in school.
Fall training starts in October. Online information sessions will be offered at 6 p.m. Sept. 3 and at 10 a.m. Sept. 19.
For more information or to register, email [email protected]
Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick is offering a new hybrid learning club, a wraparound school age program to roll over from summer camp to a full-day learning experience that combines virtual learning with outdoor activities.
Students can bring their virtual learning devices. Credentialed staff will aid in classwork and homework during the day.
The afternoon portion will run similar to Camp Yomeca. Activities will include arts and crafts, tennis, basketball and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) along with an afternoon snack. Swimming will be included in September, weather-permitting.
For the session schedule and rates, and to register, visit https://raritanvalleyymca.org/member-connection#/programs/22527368/hybrid-learning-club/
The East Brunswick Friends of the Library are hosting a Family Fishing Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at Molder’s Fishing Preserve, 318 John Wall Road, Monroe Township. Rain date is Sept. 13.
Fishing license not required.
A limited number of fishing poles are available for a rental fee of $8. To reserve a pole, email [email protected].
Live bait will be available at the event for $3.50.
Bring a picnic lunch and snacks.
Tickets purchased in advance for adults (ages 12 and up) are $11, and tickets purchased in advance for children (ages 5-12) are $8. Tickets purchased at the event are $12 and $9, respectively. Children under five are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ebpl.org/friends.
Tickets can also be purchased by mailing a check made to East Brunswick Friends of the Library and mailing it to East Brunswick Friends of the Library, C/O Robin Rushfield, 113 Hillsdale Road, East Brunswick 08816.
Proceeds from this event benefit the East Brunswick Public Library.
NAMIWalks NJ 2020 will be held virtually on Sept. 26.
Join a team and collaborate with activities in a safe, socially distanced manner or jointly on a virtual platform. Be your own “virtual walker.” Walk or run in your neighborhood, backyard or local park; garden, cook, play games over social media, etc.
Efforts support the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Jersey chapter.
For more information, visit https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=965
Antonia Maria Foundation is seeking live-in staff for its sober living home for women, Gracie’s House, located on Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick.
The primary duty is to maintain the safety of the residents through overnight checks.
You receive reduced rent, days free to work a job or attend college, and free access to spiritual and wellness programs.
Applicants must be female, drug- and alcohol-free, and trustworthy and compassionate.
To apply, contact Antonia Montalvo at 732-823-8350 or visit www.antoniamariafoundation.org
The Recreation, Parks & Community Services Department in East Brunswick is collecting non-perishable food, cash and gift cards all summer for distribution to Aldersgate Community Outreach Center.
Drop off food in the back of the box truck parked in the parking lot at 334 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick; 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.
The East Brunswick Department of Recreation & Parks is holding a Photo Scavenger Hunt.
Take family pictures around town and share on the Facebook Group or Instagram page tagging #EBParksSummerFun2020.
Ideas for photos include a picnic at Bicentennial Park, the great oak tree in Great Oak Park, the disc golf course at Heavenly Farms, hiking in Frost Woods, reading outside the library, skipping stones at Dallenbach Pond, playing catch at Pine Ridge Park or Country Lane Park, biking the trails at Heavenly Farms, playing tennis or pickle ball at Community Park or Lenape Park, showing respect at Veterans Park, playing at the Dog Park or walking the wooden steps at Welsh Park.
Be safe. Adhere to social distancing guidelines. Do not take any dangerous photos.
The picture with the most “likes” by Sept. 1 will win a small prize.
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East Brunswick now has a disc golf course at Heavenly Farms, 440 Dunhams Corner Road, across from the main parking lot.
It is free to play. Bring your own equipment.
Pickleball can be played on six brand-new courts at Community Park, 350 Dunhams Corner Road, and two hybrid pickleball/tennis courts at Lenape Park, 31 Millman Dr.
On Wednesday evenings there is a “club” that gathers at Community Park and plays, as well as a group that plays on Saturday and Sunday mornings at Community Park. They are open to the public. The group is not affiliated with East Brunswick Recreation.
The East Brunswick Public Library and the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (RCINJ) will present RCINJ community cancer specialist Daniel Pearson, who will speak about “The Genetics of Cancer” at noon on Aug. 27.
This program covers topics including hereditary and lifestyle risk factors for cancer, how and why cancer forms in cells, methods to identify personal cancer risk, and information on genetic testing and genetic risk assessment.
The program is presented using free Zoom software. Registration is requested.
For more information, visit www.justforthehealthofit.org or to register online visit www.ebpl.org/calendar.
Registration is open for swim lessons through the Raritan Valley YMCA in East Brunswick.
Weekday morning swim lessons will be held at Crystal Springs Family Waterpark, 380 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick.
Weekday afternoon swim lessons will be held at the YMCA, 144 Tices Lane, East Brunswick. Capacity at the YMCA pool will be extremely limited due to pool size and spacing restrictions.
Youth lessons are available at both locations; adult lessons at the YMCA pool only.
To help showcase the creative talents of area residents, the East Brunswick Public Library is collecting submissions for its virtual “Grown-up Summer 2020 Art Challenge.”
The library is seeking submissions from adults, age 18 and older, for virtual display on the library’s website. These include photography, two-dimensional artwork or videos.
All work must be submitted online.
The work will be featured on the library’s website and possibly reproduced for an art show in the building.
For information on how to submit artwork and the measurement requirements, visit www.ebpl.org.
The County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey is offering scholarships to law school students seeking careers as prosecuting attorneys, graduate students with a commitment to child advocacy, and to police officers hoping to attend college or graduate school to advance their careers in law enforcement.
The annual scholarships, each amounting to a one-year grant of $3,500, will be paid directly to the recipients, who will be selected by a committee that administers the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey Scholarship Foundation.
Scholarship applicants must be residents of New Jersey and must demonstrate a financial need. Scholarship recipients from previous years are ineligible.
Each of the scholarships are dedicated to the memory of an attorney who died in office, where they had served with dignity as prosecutors in various counties in New Jersey and exemplified the high standards of law enforcement professionals.
To be eligible for the Oscar W. Rittenhouse Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be accepted for admission to a law school and must have an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor.
To be eligible for the Andrew K. Ruotolo Jr. Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be accepted for admission to a law school or a graduate school. Applicants must exhibit an interest, and commitment to, enhancing the rights and well-being of children through child advocacy programs.
To be eligible for the Harris Y. Cotton Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be accepted for admission to a law school. The applicant must have an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor with an emphasis in domestic violence or hate crime prosecutions.
To be eligible for the John H. Stamler Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must be a sworn law enforcement officer seeking educational advancement on a college or graduate level to improve his or her effectiveness as a law enforcement officer.
Applications must be postmarked by Sept. 4. Applications are available online at www.burlpros.org.
Personal interviews of finalists will be conducted. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision in October.
Applications should be sent to Prosecutor Scott Coffina, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, 49 Rancocas Road, Mount Holly 08060; or email [email protected]
The East Brunswick Public Library’s annual summer reading activities will take place online.
This year’s theme is “Imagine Your Story,” and the library has special challenges for readers of all ages.
By completing reading and learning challenges, readers can win prizes. The program has three challenge levels: kid, teen and adult. Summer reading runs through Sept. 7.
The children’s program is for ages 5-12. Children can gain points to win free books in various ways, including each day they read, the summer learning bingo board, writing book reviews, and special weekly missions. There is also a similar summer reading program for younger children through the library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative.
To make registration easier, families can now register together, and parents can manage summer reading logging. Children can also maintain their summer reading logs independently.
The teen program is for ages 12-18. Library users turning 13 during the summer can choose whether they want to participate in either the kids or teen program. Through the summer, there are several different ways to earn points for prizes by reading books and completing tasks on a bingo board. Points can be redeemed for book prizes.
Adults participating in the summer reading program can earn a chance to win prizes by completing a mix of reading goals, as well as service and community-oriented objectives. There are also several special online programs planned for adults over the summer, including a Fantasy Trivia night, Virtual Open Mic Night, TED Talks Viewing and Discussion.
To register for the library’s summer reading activities visit, www.ebpl.org/summerreading.
For information about upcoming library programs and services, visit www.ebpl.org.
The East Brunswick Jewish Center is providing minyanim twice every day, services on Shabbat and holidays, adult education classes and Lunch and Learn with the Rabbi.
Membership welcome but not necessary.
Visit www.ebjc.org/online-events for more information.
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.
Nominations are being accepted in 10 categories for an annual recognition program to celebrate individuals, businesses and governments for extraordinary commitment to recycling.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, annually recognizes excellence in recycling to highlight program successes achieved by individuals, agencies, businesses and others whose efforts help keep New Jersey communities clean and healthy.
Applications may be submitted in these categories: Institution, Business, Retail Merchant, Government, Leadership, Rising Star, Recycling Industry, Outstanding Educator/Educational Program, Volunteer Citizen and Source Reduction/Resource Management/Sustainability.
Nominations are due by July 31 and awardees will be notified in September. Award winners will be honored at the Association of New Jersey Recyclers Symposium and Awards Luncheon scheduled Oct. 14 in Neptune.
To view the application and information packet, visit www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/awards.htm or www.recycle.nj.gov.
The East Brunswick Jewish Center will present Tovah Feldshuh, Up Close and Personal, at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 via Zoom.
The Broadway actress will talk about her 45-year career.
Tickets are $18 per Zoom link.
The $180 sponsorship includes four Zoom tickets, a pre-show chat and recognition.
Register at www.ebjc.org under Events.
For more information, email Ellen at [email protected]
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is opening the nomination process for its 2021 Purple Heart Patriot Project. This multi-day salute to service will bring together Purple Heart heroes representing each state and territory in the nation to pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation.
One Purple Heart recipient and an escort of their choosing from each state and territory will again be selected for an all-expenses-paid tribute filled with tours and ceremonies honoring their service and that of all those who have earned the Purple Heart. The four-day Patriot Project Mission will feature visits to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, historic Washington’s headquarters where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782, and a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor – the museum dedicated to paying tribute to our nation’s combat wounded. Other special tribute events are also being planned.
Anyone can nominate a Purple Heart recipient they know. Nominations must include a short description (up to 250 words) of why their nominee is deserving of this special recognition. Submissions can be sent via email to [email protected] or submitted via www.purpleheartmission.org/patriot-project.
Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 31. The Honor Mission will select three finalists from each state and territory and a national panel of Purple Heart recipients and other distinguished Americans will select the final honorees.
A complete list of honorees will be announced nationally on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
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].
The Community Health Law Project (CHLP) has extended the deadline for nominations of candidates for the Ann Klein Advocate Awards and Mike Lione Accessibility Award to recognize those who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of people living with disabilities through Oct. 17.
The Ann Klein Advocate Award is given to a group of select individuals and organizations, nominated by the public, who have performed exemplary work as advocates for people living with disabilities and/or vulnerable populations.
The award is named in memory of Ann Klein, former commissioner of the NJ Department of Human Services, whose career as a public servant, legislator and social worker paved the way for significant advances in the human services systems throughout the State of New Jersey.
The Mike Lione Accessibility Award was established in 2013 in memory of longtime Community Health Law Project Board Member and former Chair Mike Lione. This award is presented to an individual or entity that has performed exemplary work as an advocate for accessibility on behalf of persons living with disabilities.
For more information, visit www.chlp.org or call 973-275-1175.