Source: CentralJersey.com
The New Jersey Blood Services will hold a blood donation from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 5 at the Menlo Park Mall, 100 Menlo Park, Edison. A busmobile will be parked by the Cheesecake Factory.
Each donor will receive a voucher for a pair of 2017 New York Mets tickets and refreshments.
Blood donors are greatly needed now since donations tend to be lowest during the summer months as many travel on vacation. Also, donations from high schools and colleges, which account for 25 percent of regional blood collection, decrease when schools close for the summer.
Qualified donors should be at least 16 years of age (with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds; other height and weight restrictions may apply. Blood donors must be in generally good health, present a New York Blood Center Donor Card or photo or signed ID, and eat and drink at regular meal times. Persons over 75 years of age can donate with a note from their physician.
To donate blood, or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nyBloodCenter.org.
The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy will hold its annual Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation food drive from July 1 through Aug. 31.
The Y will collect donations of nonperishable food items and deliver them to the Metuchen Food Pantry at the First Presbyterian Church. The pantry regularly helps individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Cash donations will also be accepted.
People can bring food donations to:
YMCA of Metuchen, 65 High St.
YMCA of Edison, 1775 Oak Tree Road
Oakcrest Family Swim Club and Camp, 970 Inman Ave., Edison
The Y’s are open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The Oakcrest Swim Club is open noon-8 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends. The Oakcrest Camp is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.
For more information contact Patricia Colandra, Metuchen Y, at 732-548-2044 or pat.colandra @ ymcaofmewsa.org; or Kristine Rosko, Edison Y, at 732-494-3232 or kristine.rosko @ ymcaofmewsa.org.
For more information about the Metuchen Food Pantry at the First Presbyterian Church contact Tom Giordano at 732-609-0127 or togio227 @ aol.com.