New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers.
The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID Vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, manager of NJBS Volunteer Services at 732-850-8906 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.
To apply online as a blood drive volunteer, go to https://www.nybc.org/support-us/volunteer-nybc/volunteer-application/
Edison Addiction Services now has two weekly meetings available to all residents with substance use disorder (or with a family member affected). The meetings are held at noon on Tuesdays at the Edison Public Library, 340 Plainfield Ave., Edison and 11 a.m. on Thursdays at the North Edison Library, 777 Grove Ave., Edison.
Edison Police Department is currently looking for dependable adults to fill part-time school crossing guard positions. Contact supervisor Ryan Szucs at 732-404-8673 or email [email protected].
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Veterans Diversion Program is looking for veteran mentors. To find out more information contact Megan Carduner at 732-745-4491 or [email protected].
The Arts Institute of Middlesex County is presenting, promoting, and supporting a multitude of arts and culture events, exhibitions, and shows throughout the month of January. These events are free to enjoy for all County residents and beyond.
January’s event highlights include:
- Art Together – Art Together is the Zimmerli’s FREE drop-in family art making workshop series. Dates include Feb. 12, March 12, April 2, and May 21 from 1-3 p.m.
- Windows of Understanding – Opening Reception – Join on Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. for the opening reception of Windows of Understanding as the county celebrates the 6th annual run of its social justice art initiative. The opening reception will be held at Barca City, 47 Easton Ave., New Brunswick.
- Wash and Learn at the Handy Street Laundromat, 314 Handy St., New Brunswick on Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. Join Roosevelt Elementary School in this special after school literacy program that is open to all. They will be spending time reading together, doing hands-on activities, and giving out prizes.
- SEO/Web & Social Media Integration for Nonprofits – Join via Zoom on Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. for a workshop that will focus on how to generate leads and increase search rankings for a nonprofit website.
For more information visit http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/artsandculture for full details on all the events listed above and many more. Registration details and links to live stream events are available.
The Edison Community Garden Initiative will hold a Container Garden Workshop at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Cypress Brewing Company, 30 Nixon Lane, No. 1e, Edison.
Edison Police Department is bringing back the Civilian Police Academy for 25 township residents, 18 years of age or older, that will run from Jan. 25 to March 15.
The academy will be held at the Edison Police Substation, 205 Raritan Center Parkway, Edison.
For more information contact 732-248-7440 or email [email protected]. The deadline for registration is at 4 p.m. Jan. 17. Completed applications should be emailed to Detective Keith Jackson at [email protected].
Join the Middlesex County Office of Health Services for their Winter Walk Wednesdays, scheduled to take place the last Wednesday of January (25), February (22) and March (29) at the Piscataway YMCA, 520 Hoes Lane, Piscataway. This event connects residents with local doctors and educators while walking to improve their health and well-being.
Attendees will have the opportunity to have questions answered by Hackensack Meridian Health Professionals. This free event is open to the public.
For more information on other events in Middlesex County, visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/home.
The Terra Nova Garden Club of Edison is alive and well and meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Tree Presbyterian Church on Plainfield Avenue, Edison. The Club’s February meeting will host Nisha Khanna who will teach the ins and outs of straw bale gardening, a great option for people with limited mobility, poor soil quality, or limited space.
If you enjoy gardening, have an interest in the environment, or just have a favorite plant, the Club always welcome new faces.
The Middlesex County Magnet Schools have scheduled open houses on all five campuses for prospective students and their parents to become familiar with the career offerings and academic programs available.
East Brunswick Campus, 112 Rues Lane, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 21, 2023.
Perth Amboy Campus, 457 High St., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 28, 2023.
For more information visit www.mcvts.net.
Volunteers needed for Woodbridge Township Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) in North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Edison, Metuchen, Sayreville, South Plainfield and Woodbridge.
For more information contact [email protected], call 732-634-4500 ext. 2802, or visit woodbridgedvrt.org.
Self-defense and safety awareness classes for boys and girls ages 5-15 will be held at the JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison. Classes will be held on Thursdays from Jan. 19 to March 30.
Classes for all new students will be held from 5-5:40 p.m. Classes for returning students will be held from 5:50-6:30 p.m.
To sign up call 732-474-8733.
Edison Township’s Lunar New Year Event will be held from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 21 . A parade will kick off at Festival Plaza, 1738 Lincoln Hwy, Edison, followed by an event at Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal Blvd., Edison with musical and dance performances, vendors and food and special guest Miss New Jersey 2019-20.
The Metro-Jersey Section of National Council of Jewish Women will welcome special guest Anna Martinez, director for the Division of Women in New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison.
Martinez will speak about the workings of her division and the department, and how this work affects each and every one of us. Martinez’s areas of expertise include violence prevention, human trafficking, public safety, civil rights and victims’ rights issues.
Admission is free and light refreshments will be served at the end of the presentation. For more information, please write to [email protected].
Join the Edison Human Relations Commission for a Taste of the Holidays from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Clara Barton First Aid Squad, 1079 Amboy Ave., Edison. For more information call Maria Orchid at 732-766-8489.
The Metuchen-Edison Historical Society will hold Local History Day from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Metuchen Public Library, 480 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen.