In Town
SAND AID New Jersey is a collective of artists and citizens gathered to serve Jersey Shore communities and families impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Its goal is to help rebuild the Jersey Shore one beach at a time. The kick off event is with the Plainsboro, West Windsor, and Princeton Junction fire companies to collect donations of funds and essential supplies to aid the citizens of Point Pleasant who were devastated by the storm.
Items needed include T-shirts, underwear, socks, hats, gloves, household cleaning gloves, bleach, C and D cell batteries, and non-perishable food items. The group will have a concert on Sunday, November 11, at 11:11 a.m. in Southfield Shopping Center, Princeton-Hightstown and Southfield roads, West Windsor. Visit www.sandaidnj.net or www.facebook.com/sandaidnj for more information.
West Windsor Library has a new book discussion group focusing on “10 Mindful Minutes” by Goldie Hawn. Tricia Miele, a retired teacher, is facilitating the group for breath and body awareness for families, teachers, adults, and children. Meetings are Thursday, November 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. or Tuesday, November 20, from 7 to 8 p.m. It is suggested that you read the book prior to attending.
“As an educator, finding a simple practice for families and children to use on a daily basis to reduce stress and the reactions it causes is nothing short of amazing,” says Miele. “Having seen the affects stress and anxiety can have on a child’s ability to learn, remember, focus and concentrate in class, I can only imagine the positive outcomes families and children can experience when they practice daily mindfulness.” Register by E-mail to trish530@hotmail.com or visit www.trishthetutor.com.
Enable seeks donations of money or food store cards to maintain the group homes and day programs for aging adults and persons with disabilities. They lost many supplies during the storm. “We will also depend on our friends to support the upcoming Holiday Gift Drive, which will include hurricane restoration needs,” they write in a press release. “Weathering this storm has been difficult. It has been especially horrendous for the elderly, for those with limited ability to understand uncertainty and the need for changes to their routines, and for persons with physical challenges that make them unable to move to a warm, dry room or secure food when refrigeration stops. Send donations to Enable, 13B Roszel Road, B110, Princeton 08540 or call 609-987-5003, ext. 120.
Good Causes
Macy’s will match donations dollar-for-dollar of $1 or more at any register. All funds donated will be directed to the American Red Cross and will assist the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Monroe Animal Hospital is accepting canned food, non-perishable food items, jackets, etc. 179 Prospect Plains Road, Monroe. Call 609-655-1717 for information.
The Salvation Army of New Jersey had served more than 32,000 meals, 45,000 snacks, 27,000 bottles of water, and countless cups of coffee to first responders and shelter residents. The organization also provided more than 1,060 changes of clothes to shelter residents across the state. They lost at least one response vehicle due to flooding and seawater.
“The services are being provided through the efforts of Salvation Army volunteers, officers, and staff,” from their press release. “It is through the generous donations of the public that services such as these can be provided not only in times of crisis, but year round.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, or to make a donation to Hurricane Sandy relief, visit www.salvationarmynj.org, or call 908-851-9300. To help support an online food drive visit www.yougivegoods.com. Donations may be sent to Box 3170, Union 07083 with NJ Hurricane Sandy Relief in the memo line. For more information contact Bramwell Applin at bramwellapplin@gmail.com or call 908-403-3625.
The Contemporary Women’s Club of Trenton is selling poinsettia plants for $6 and $15. Call 609-392-9727 by Friday, November 30 to order. Choice of colors is red, white, pink, or marble. Plants must be picked up at the Contemporary Townhouse Museum on Wednesday or Thursday, December 5 or 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Profits from this sale benefit local charities.
JM Group is collecting donations for Mercer Street Friends Food Bank’s Turkey Drive. Donate $10 and the JM Group will match the donation. Bring to Nassau Street Seafood, Blue Point Grill, or Witherspoon Grill, or donate online at www.jmgroupprinceton.com. Donations accepted through Friday, November 9.
Salvation Army seeks volunteer kettle workers to fill four-hour shifts throughout New Jersey. Individuals, service organizations, churches, schools, and corporate groups are all welcome to participate. Donations collected from red kettles are used for food, warm clothing, and gifts for families in need at Christmas; programs and services throughout the year; youth and senior programs, prescription assistance, emergency disaster services, shelters, food pantries, and after-school programs.
Create a virtual red kettle at www.onlineredkettle.org for friends and family members to visit. For information about the programs call Judith Anderson at 908-851-8236, E-mail judith.anderson@use.salvationarmy.org. or visit www.salvationarmynj.org/volunteer.
Chez Alice Catering Company is a drop-off location for Toys for Tots. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the collection box or drop a monetary donation in the tip jar for Toys for Tots at 7 Tree Farm Road, Suite 100, in Pennington. Hours are Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 609-737-1199 for information.
PEAC Health and Fitness is collecting non-perishable food for HomeFront’s food pantry during November. A display of original works of art produced by members of ArtSpace at HomeFront’s Family Preservation Center is on view. 1440 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing. E-mail ctentilucci@peachealthfitness.com or visit www.peachealthfitness.com for information.
Call for Art
Monmouth Museum calls for submissions in all media except for film and video for the 34th annual Juried Art Exhibition opening in January. Open to all artists world-wide, ages 17 and up. Submit up to two digital images in jpg format on a CD. Artwork must be the artist’s original creations within the last five years. $20 per piece. Submission deadline is Friday, December 7. For information E-mail Catherine Clark at cclark@monmouthmuseum.org or call 732-747-2266, ext. 6.
Alfa Art Gallery is seeking submissions of 12 by 12 inches, or smaller, 2D or 3D art in all mediums and subjects. Deadline is Thursday, November 15. Visit www.alfaart.org or call 732-296-6720 for information.
Call for Plays
Premiere Stages, the professional theater company in residence at Kean University, seeks submissions to the ninth annual play festival. This yearly competition for unproduced scripts offers developmental opportunities to four playwrights born or currently residing in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The winner of the festival will be awarded $2,000 and a full Equity production in the 2013 season. The runner-up will receive $750 and an Equity workshop in June; two other writers will receive staged readings in March and a cash prize of $500.
All entries are evaluated by a panel of theater professionals in consultation with the artistic director and resident dramaturg. Agents may submit full scripts; playwrights may submit a synopsis and script sample directly. Postmark deadline is Tuesday, January 15. There is no entry fee. Visit www.kean.edu/premierestages for details.
Volunteer Information
American Red Cross is collecting funds and coordinating blood donations. The organization sheltered more than 3,000 people across nine states during the worst of the storm. You can donate $10 by phone by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.
Please consider making a blood donation. The hurricane has caused the cancellation of more than 300 American Red Cross blood drives. Visit www.RedCross.org for information
Call 1-800-Jersey-7, 211, 609-775-5236, 908-303-0471, or send an E-mail to rowena.madden@sos.state.nj.us. for information on where to volunteer.
Nurses are needed in Manahawkin at the shelters, especially overnight. Nursing students are welcome.
Toms River Intermediate School and the Church of Grace & Peace at 1563 Old Freehold Road in Toms River need volunteers to help Samaritan’s Purse. Call Brent Graybeal at 732-349-1550.
American Red Cross: visit www.redcross.org/support/volunteer
