Community Bulletin Board

Blood donors and drives

needed this December

New Jersey Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center, is predicting a severe blood shortage in December that will require blood rationing to area hospitals and patients if blood supply levels do not improve, blood center management reported. Past and potential donors, and those who want to host a blood drive at their job or in their community, are therefore being urged to call New York Blood Center at (800) 933-BLOOD or go to www.nybloodcenter.org to find a convenient blood drive or donation location in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley and New Jersey.

“Despite the fast-approaching holiday season, the need for blood never takes a holiday. And we will definitely have to ration distribution of some blood types in December, and very possibly into 2007 as well, if we don’t see donation rates increase and additional blood drives scheduled in December,” pointed out Dr. Robert Jones, New York Blood Center president and CEO.

New York Blood Center needs close to 2,000 donors a day in order to adequately serve the patient transfusion needs of nearly 200 New York and New Jersey community hospitals, “so we are asking everyone eligible to consider giving the best gift of all — the gift of life — this holiday season,” Dr. Jones said.

Eligible donors include those people at least age 17 in New Jersey, who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and New Jersey State Department of Health donor criteria.

“The reality is less than 2 percent of people in our local community currently donates, which is far behind the nationwide blood donor participation rate of 5 percent,” Dr. Jones explained. “We simply need more donors, and ideally more diverse donors, to address the predicted blood supply/demand gap.”

Commemorative banners available for purchase

Commemorative banners celebrating Allentown’s 300th anniversary are still available for $50. The banners, like the ones decorating the street poles on Main and Church streets, measure 30 inches by 60 inches. To purchase a banner call Elizabeth Roselius at (609) 259-0455. SPCA searches for homes for dogs, cats and kittens

The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is seeking foster homes and permanent homes for dogs, cats and kittens. Fostering is approximately a two-month commitment.

The shelter also urges current pet owners to have their pets spayed/neutered. MCSPCA offers low-cost spay/neutering to the public.

Anyone interested in fostering or adopting may visit the MCSPCA at 260 Wall St., Eatontown, or call (732) 542-0040 for more information. The MCSPCA adoption hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday, and 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Power wheelchairs now available free of charge

The Senior Wheels USA Program has announced the availability of power wheelchairs for seniors and permanently disabled individuals at no cost to the recipient, if the recipient qualifies. The wheelchairs are for individuals who can no longer walk nor self-propel a manual wheelchair, and meet additional guidelines of the program. No deposit is required. For more information, call 1-800-246-6010. Candlelight service to feature Christmas carols

The Upper Freehold Baptist Church, located at 207 Davis Station Road, Imlaystown, invites everyone to its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. The service will feature Christmas carols, scripture readings and a short meditation by the Pastor F. Staton Bentley Jr.

Roosevelt offers yoga again in January 2007

The Roosevelt Recreation Department will again hold yoga classes from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays starting in January at the Roosevelt Public School. Classes are instructed by Kym Kulp, a certified yoga instructor.

Yoga mats are provided, but participants can bring their own. The walk-in fee is $10 per class. For more information call (609) 448-0539 (press 3).