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.
MCFOODS (Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services) will be safely collecting food donations from noon to 4 p.m. June 6 in the Menlo Park Mall parking lot near Barnes & Noble/Cheesecake Factory, Parsonage Road entrance, 55 Parsonage Road, Edison.
Volunteers will take items from the trunk or back seat; no contact is required.
Some of the most needed non-perishable foods and necessities include rice, tuna fish, peanut butter, vegetables, canned meats, beans, soups and pasta, as well as personal products, baby items and paper towels.
Donations are also accepted from 6 a.m. to noon weekdays at the MCFOODS Distribution Center, 28 Kennedy Blvd., East Brunswick, under the tent around the back of the building.
Monetary donations are accepted at www.feedingmiddlesexcounty.org/food-drive
The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) is offering virtual learning support for children in grades K-8.
Childcare professionals and staff will help children complete school assignments through one-hour, live, one-on-one virtual tutoring sessions.
Also, coming soon is a Kindergarten Readiness Program that will provide learning activities in a small virtual class setting to help develop social-emotional, cognitive and language skills.
To register, visit www.ymcaofmewsa.org/child-care/distance-learning-support
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 Info@PurpleHeartMission.org 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.
The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce has released dates for its 2020 events:
– Cruise nights, 6-8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month through September (June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2)
– Restaurant Week, July 13-19
– Metuchen Country Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3
For details or vendor/sponsor information, visit www.metuchenchamberexchange.com.
The Metuchen Farmers Market is on, rain or shine, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Plaza, corner of New Street and Pearl Street, June to November.
Visit www.metuchenfarmersmarket.com
Cruise Nights are scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m. June 3, July 1, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2 in Downtown Metuchen, sponsored by the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce. Rain dates are the following Wednesdays.
Call 732-548-2964 or email metuchenchamber@optimum.net for more information.
Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County will hold its One Community Gala for 2020 at 5 p.m. on June 14 at Classical Caterers at Congregation B’Nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegans Lane, North Brunswick.
Dinner, dancing and auction.
Honorees include community leaders David and Ellen Rabinowitz, BCB Bank and Vincent Davis, and Bill Neary.
Sponsorship opportunities and journal ads are available.
For more information, email JeanieJ@jfsmiddlesex.org or JudyC@jfsmiddlesex.org, or call 732-777-1940.
The fourth annual Celebrate Middlesex County event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 13 at Roosevelt Park, Parsonage Road, Edison.
Enjoy roller skating, a fishing derby, live music, entertainment, food trucks and hands-on activities.
For more information, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/celebrate.
The Redhawk Native American Arts Council will hold its annual Raritan Pow Wow from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., rain or shine, on June 20 and 21 at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
There will be Native American dancers, singers, artists, vendors, crafts, performing groups and food.
Grand entry of dancers is at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. both days.
The cost is $12 for adults and teens, $8 for children ages 6-12, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $10 for students, and $35 online only for family four-packs.
Parking is free.
Bring lawn chairs. Leashed pets welcome.
For more information, visit www.redhawkcouncil.org. For tickets, visit raritanpw2020.eventbrite.com.
The 11th annual Metuchen Rescue Squad Benefit Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 9 at Metuchen High School, 400 Grove Ave., Metuchen.
Pre-registration cost is $10 by Aug. 5. Day of, cost is $15.
Spectators are free.
For more information, visit www.metrescuesquad.com.
The First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen (FPC) rescheduled its annual spring rummage sale for 5-8:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 in the FPC Social Center, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen.
FPC will accept donations from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 21-24 in the church office.
The SAMHAJ (South Asian Mental Health Awareness in Jersey) Multicultural Picnic is planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11 at Thompson Park Grove 4AB, Perrineville Road and Schoolhouse Road, Monroe.
The annual NAMIWalks is scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Boardwalk at Seaside Park.
For more information, visit www.naminj.org.
