• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, will conduct blood donations that are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: March 1, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 13: 30-20: 30; March 2, Howell Donor Center, 7.45am to 2.45pm; March 3, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 8, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 9, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m .; March 10, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 15, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 16, Howell Donor Center, 7.45am to 2.45pm; March 17, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 22, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 23, Howell Donor Center, 7.45am to 2.45pm; March 24, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 29, Howell Donor Center, 13.30-20.30; March 30, Howell Donor Center, 7.45am to 2.45pm; and March 31, Howell Donor Center, 13: 30-20: 30; To donate blood, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit
www.nybloodcenter.org
• Crisis hotline volunteers required for CONTACT counties of Ocean and Monmouth. Training begins March 9 once a week every Wednesday for 12 weeks from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church, Toms River. CONTACT is a 24-hour crisis response hotline that also provides information and guidance on community resources. Training is free. Call 732-240-6104 for more information and registration.
• Monmouth County officials planned paper shredding activities so residents could safely dispose of old documents and sensitive files. The shredding event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 18 at Howell Memorial / Adelphia School, 485 Adelphia Road (Route 524). County residents can grind up to 100 pounds. Large binder clamps must be removed from the documents; staples and paper clips may remain. Details: See the recycling section on the county website www.visitmonmouth.com or by calling 732-683-8686, ext. 8967.
• The Westlake Woman’s The club offers five $ 500 scholarships to Jackson residents. Scholarships are offered to qualified individuals who have been admitted to an educational or training program after high school and who meet any of the following criteria: are currently completing high school; currently working and planning to enroll in a program of professional development, career change or desire to further education; currently not working but wants to gain training or retraining skills; registered at a public school or vocational school for a continuing education program. Applications are available online at https://westlakeclubs.com/womens-club/womens-club-scholarship/. Applications are also available at the Jackson Library, the management offices of Jackson Liberty High School and the Jackson Memorial, the Ocean County Vo-Tech and the financial aid offices at Ocean County College and the University of Georgian Court. The deadline is May 7.
• Monmouth County National Seed Replacement Day at the Park System will be held Feb. 26 from 10:30 a.m. at Tatum Park Activity Center Red Hill, Red Hill Road, Middletown. This event invites local gardeners to exchange vegetable seeds, annuals, perennials and local seeds for something new. Details are available at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or by calling 732-872-2670.
• Monmouth County The library offers six classes available at any time and without prior registration for virtual yoga, highlighting breathing, movement, stretching and other activities. Each program is offered at https: // ly / MonCoLibraryYoga. The program is offered by Stephen Russell of Becoming Sound. Those interested can choose their own path with movements from the six most popular series of library video classes. Yoga Breathing Sessions; Yoga Stretching; Yoga movement; Yoga Stretching with support; Yoga at home on the floor; and Yoga at home standing. Individuals should consult a physician before beginning any exercise program.
• New Jersey Blood ServicesA division of the New York Blood Center will hold blood donations on the following dates: Feb. 24, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 1:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. To donate blood, call 1-800- 933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Jackson City Artists Sue Kolb and Robert Jenkin have returned to the Jackson branch of the Ocean County Library to host an exhibition that will run until March. The exhibition is free and open to visitors. Details: 732-928-4400 or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events
• New Jersey Blood Service, the New York Blood Center unit is looking for volunteers to help donors at regional blood donations. No medical training required. Volunteers should be friendly to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and should present evidence of vaccination against COVID before volunteering. There must be transport. All training is underway, including safety precautions for staff and blood donors. For more information, call or email Sharon Zates at 732-850-8906, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To apply online as a blood donation volunteer, go to https://www.nybc.org/support-us/ volunteer-nybc / volunteer-application /
• For individuals who You deal with depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, there is free, confidential support under the guidance of a trained facilitator. The Alliance for the Support of Depression and Bipolarity meets Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Brighter Days Public Wellness Center, 268 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. There are no doctors or therapists in the group, only people with mental illness. Participants seek to support each other and share their stories. Details: Valeria, 610-766-0658, or visit dbsalliance.org
• Online support and a discussion group for women in the workplace offered by the New Jersey Mental Health Association, which has a branch in Ocean County. The focus is on women who have experienced emotional, physical or sexual intimidation or violence at work. Life in Waves meets online twice a month via Zoom. Through the group, members share resources and strategies to improve their mental health. Life in the waves occurs on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m. To get the link, call 609-652-3800 or email lifeinwaves@mhanj.org
• CentraState Medical The center has launched a new online grief support group led by licensed clinical social workers certified in mountain counseling to help survivors of the loss of a loved one. The group is open to adult community members who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Private groups provide a safe space without condemnation for participants to share their emotions and struggles. The band meets through Zoom on the first and third Thursday of each month at 3 p.m.
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