Datebook

• The American Legion Auxiliary Post 434, 11 Sanford St., Manalapan, is holding a toy drive for local needy children from now until Dec. 15. New, unwrapped toys may be brought to the post to be distributed locally. Unwanted coats are also needed and may be brought in for distribution to people in need.

• Manalapan Township is conducting a food drive to benefit the Samaritan Center. All donations may be dropped off at the administration office in the Manalapan municipal building, 120 Route 522, Manalapan. Contact Susan at 732-446-8303 for a list of items that are needed.

• The Alzheimer's Association will conduct caregiver support groups at the following locations: Brandywine Senior Living, 3 Meridian Circle, Colts Neck, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9; First United Methodist Church, 91 W. Main St., Freehold, 7 p.m. Dec. 15. Details: 800-883-1180.

• Blood drives will be conducted by the Central Jersey Blood Center at the following locations: Congregation Sons of Israel, 33 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, 5-9 p.m. Dec. 3; Applegate School, 47 Jeanne Brennan Drive, Freehold Township, 3-8 p.m. Dec. 8. Drawings will be held twice weekly through Jan. 9 for a $100 Visa gift card for donors. For details, appointments and other locations, call 732-842-5750, ext. 238, or visit the Howell Donor Center in the Howell Plaza Shopping Center, Route 9 south and Aldrich Road, Howell.

• "The Great PSA Debate - To Screen or Not to Screen?" will be presented by doctors Troy Sukkarieh and Oren Cahlon from 6-7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Cen• Dessert with Santa will be offered from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 4 at the St. Rose of Lima School gymnasium, South Street, Freehold. In addition to dessert, pictures with Santa, raffles, merchandise, baked goods, hot chocolate and cider will be available. Free crafts for children. Free admission. Details: 732-462-2646.

• A holiday craft bazaar will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 98 W. Main St., Freehold, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-1745.

• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host a holiday craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at St. Mary's Church, Route 34 and Phalanx Road, Colts Neck. Details: 732-536-5832.

• A pancake breakfast with Santa, sponsored by the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro, will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 5. Fee is $5 or adults and $3 for children. The Jingle Shop, which has inexpensive gifts for the whole family, will also be available.

• "A Drive Through Christmas Story," a free annual display of 10 life-sized Bible scenes, including live characters and animals, will be presented through Dec. 6 at Sayre Woods Bible Church, Route 9 south, Old Bridge. Hours are 7:30-9:30 p.m. weekdays and 5-9:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Details: 732-679-5989.

•Afundraising event to benefit the Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee will be held at T.G.I. Friday's, Route 9 south, Freehold Township, Dec. 7. To obtain the flier that is necessary to take part, email fmdpc@hotmail.com or go to the website at www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com.

• Mothers of Preschoolers, a group providing education, encouragement and support for mothers with children ages infant through kindergarten, will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from September to May, at Crossroads Assembly of God Church, Main Street, Englishtown. Upcoming meeting date: Dec. 8. Details: 732-446-0502.

• Marlboro Board of Education will hold a public hearing Dec. 8 for the purposes of receiving input from the public regarding the renegotiation, extension, amendment or alteration of an employment contract with the assistant superintendent and school business administrator/board secretary. Members of the public are invited to submit public comments regarding the terms and conditions of the above mentioned employment agreements. The board will not publicly discuss personnel matters and will not respond to comments made by members of the public, however, the board will give all comments appropriate consideration. The meeting will be held at 1980 Township Drive, Marlboro. Details: 732- 792-2000, ext. 2010.

• Food gifts for the holidays, a healthy cooking demonstration, will be held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at CentraState's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Cost is $12 per person or $20 per couple. Details: 732-308-0570.

• A "Girls Night Out Edible Christmas Goodies Dinner" sponsored by Monmouth Women's Connection, affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries International, will be offered from 7-8 p.m. Dec. 9 at Park Avenue Bistro, 618 Park Ave., Freehold. Features edible treats for serving or gift giving, demonstrations, samples, recipes, plus dinner. Guest speaker Shirley Ryder will discuss how to enjoy peace despite the challenges of life. Cost: $25. Call 732-446- 9503 or 732-319-3602 for reservations.

• Manalapan Township will be participating in the 14th annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive. Gently used coats may be dropped off at the Manalapan Township municipal building, 120 Route 522 (corner of Taylors Mills Road) in the Administration office. Coats will be collected until Dec. 11. Details: 732-446-8303.

• The 12th annual Santa Train event, sponsored by the Freehold Borough Policemen's Benevolent Association No. 159, will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Freehold Center bus station, Throckmorton and Main streets, Freehold. Santa will arrive by train at noon. All children in attendance will receive a photo with Santa and a toy at no cost.traState's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center, 901 W. Main Street, Freehold Township. The free lecture is about the controversy in the media about whether to be screened for prostate cancer using the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. A light supper will be served from 5:30-6 p.m. prior to the lecture. Also, free prostate and colon cancer screenings will be available from 7-9 p.m. following the lecture. The screenings are for men 45 years and older who have not been previously screened. Registration is required and space is limited for the screenings to the first 50 registrants. Details and registration: 732- 308-0570.

• A vendor night sponsored by the Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School Booster Club will be held from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 3 (snow date Dec. 4) in the MEMS cafeteria, 155 Millhurst Road, Manalapan. Vendor space is still available at $35 per table. For information, email Arlene at leeni629@optonline.net.

• A holiday boutique hosted by the Freehold Township Early Childhood Learning Center PTO will be held from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Barkalow Middle School, Stillwells Corner Road, Freehold Township. More than 60 vendors plus a gold buyer will be at the event. Details: 732-668-8887.