• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough, will host its “All You Can Eat, Made to Order Breakfast” on April 18 from 9-11:30 am. Admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 12. All are welcome to attend.
• The Freehold Elks Motorcycle Committee will host its annual New Jersey State Army of Hope Poker Run and BBQ on May 1. Registration from 9-11 am. Poker Run starts and ends at the Freehold Elks Lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold Borough. BBQ starts after the ride, approximately 1 p.m. Cost is $20 per rider, $15 per passenger, or $15 for the BBQ. Tricky tray, prizes, food, beverages and DJ. Proceeds help New Jersey families of the fallen and severely wounded veterans. All are welcome to attend. The event runs rain or shine.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its spring craft show at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This seasonal craft show with 50 local artists and crafters will feature Mother’s Day gifts, spring decorations and more. Admission and parking are free. Attendees must wear a mask at the event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• The American Red Cross continues to urge healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give blood to ensure hospitals can meet patient needs. Schedule a donation appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The following blood drives have been scheduled: Freehold Township, April 21, 2-7 p.m., Freehold Township municipal building, Stillwells Corner Road.
• 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 Central New Jersey Women in Development (WID) hosts a monthly roundtable for nonprofit professionals online. At noon on April 15 the topic will be “Nonprofit Tech Hacks to Increase Fundraising.” A panel discussion will take place on Zoom. Cost is free to WID members and $15 for non-members. The discussion will include favorite go-to event apps; photo apps; and general tips, tricks and tech hacks for nonprofit professionals. Registration link: https://widmercer.org/events/
• 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 19 and 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.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Accordion Melodies of the 1890s on April 17 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion. 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.