Central Jersey Daily Rundown, Saturday, Nov. 16 – My Central Jersey

4-H members attend youth summit

Ten 4-H members represented New Jersey for the National Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Youth Summit held Thursday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 27, at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The purpose of the summit was provide youth with an opportunity to learn about STEM careers and to develop knowledge and skills in STEM-related areas. New Jersey delegates attending the summit included Kelson Lowrie, Scout Lowrie and Arun Pabuwal, all from Somerset County; and Kristin Osika from Morris County. The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station – Cooperative Extension. For more information about the New Jersey 4-H Program, visit nj4h.rutgers.edu.                           

Meter donation program launched

Residents and visitors to the City of New Brunswick can help fund services to the homeless and those in need through the “Make It Count” meter donation program. This direct transaction-based donation service utilizes specially-designated parking-style meters to accept monetary donations in the form of coins, credit cards, and debit cards. All proceeds will benefit various social service agencies serving the homeless and those in need. The “Make It Count” donation meters are painted bright red, and can be found installed along George Street, Somerset Street, Easton Avenue, and French

Street, with additional locations within the city under consideration. Those willing to donate can directly insert coins into the meter, make a safe and secure transaction with a credit or debit card, or through the city’s new Donation Zone (6500) on the ParkMobile app. For more information or to donate to the “Make It Count” program, visit cityofnewbrunswick.org/makeitcount, or search “Make It Count New Brunswick” on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Thanksgiving Potluck on Nov. 22

Disability Allies, Inc. (DA), a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in East Brunswick, is hosting its the second annual Thanksgiving Potluck from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at The Young Adult Community Inclusion Center, (The Village Green Shopping Center), 415 Route 18 in East Brunswick. The cost to attend the event is $10 per person or bring your favorite dish to share to attend at no cost. Disability Allies is a nut-free facility. Entertainment will include live music with a local East Brunswick musician. Activities will include pin the tail on the turkey, apple air bobbing, and celebrating things you are grateful for. Register in advance at disabilityallies.com/potluck. For more information about the this event, contact Audrey Weiner at 732-789-7027 or at Audrey.weiner@disabilityallies.com. 

Visit www.disabilityallies.com.

Bill advances in Assembly

With the goal to ensure every veteran in New Jersey has a roof over their head, legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) and Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex) to expand a grant program to rehabilitate homes for veterans in need was recently approved by the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill (A-4089) would amend the New Jersey Housing Assistance for Veterans Act to include the purchase and rehabilitation of abandoned homes for homeless veterans. The parameters of the current pilot program are limited to the rehabilitation of existing primary residences for disabled or low-income veterans. Under the bill, nonprofit veterans’ organizations with experience in rehabilitating properties for homeless veterans would be eligible to receive a grant to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes. Preference would be awarded to nonprofits serving communities in the greatest need of homeless services. The program would aim to achieve a fair distribution of veterans in varying geographical regions of New Jersey. The bill now heads to the Assembly Speaker for further consideration. Visit www.assemblydems.com.

Help improve environmental health

Union County residents who are interested in improving environmental health in their communities are encouraged to join the Rutgers Environmental Stewards of Union County. The Environmental Stewards program helps residents learn to take specific steps leading to effective action. The Environmental Stewards of Union County is an all-volunteer program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The Extension also runs the Master Gardeners and Master Tree Steward’s programs for adults and 4-H clubs for youth in Union County. The Environmental Stewards program is designed to help non-scientists learn more about the science behind the environmental issues impacting their communities. The Environmental Stewards will hold weekly classroom training sessions on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. beginning Thursday, Jan. 30 through early June. Classes are held at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County office, 300 North Ave. East in Westfield. For more information about the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program, visit envirostewards.rutgers.edu or contact Michele Bakacs, County Agent and Associate Professor for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at bakacs@njaes.rutgers.edu or 732-398-5274.

Center celebrating its 15th anniversary

The NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS), the nation’s first Center of Excellence dedicated toward helping individuals and families affected by the neurological disorder, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. For the last 15 years, Somerville-based NJCTS has provided programs and services to families, outreach to the education and medical communities, and support for collaborative research into better treatments and a cure for Tourette Syndrome (TS), which is characterized by involuntary sounds and movements known as tics. TS, which usually appears when a child is 6- or 7-years old, affects as many as one in 100 children and adults. To learn more about NJCTS and the programs offered, visit www.njcts.org or 908-575-7350.

Diabetes Foundation welcomes Dunn

The Diabetes Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that empowers individuals living with diabetes, recently welcomed Sheila Dunn as their new Director of Programs and Outreach. Dunn is a part of the Diabetes Foundation’s continued commitment to supporting those living with diabetes in New Jersey. As program director, Dunn will provide leadership in the development, implementation and oversight of the Diabetes Foundation’s community-based intervention programs that are aimed at supporting children and adults, in New Jersey, diagnosed with prediabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. This includes the Foundation’s Diabetes Resource Advocacy Program, the Medication Assistance Program, and the Campership Program. She will also help the Diabetes Foundation in the maintenance of and outreach to corporate and healthcare partners. She holds a Masters of Business Administration in marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from the University of South Florida. For more information about the Diabetes Foundation, visit www.diabetesfoundationinc.org or call 201-444-0337.

Ghaly-Pearyer honored

Aneesha Ghaly-Pearyer, executive director of the Rahway Community Action Organization (RCAO), was recently honored by United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) during its inaugural “Ladies That Give a Hoot Dinner” at Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains. Ghaly-Pearyer was recognized for her work supporting and strengthening individuals and families in Union County, empowering them to acquire the knowledge, skills and resources they need to provide an optimal environment for their children’s development. The law firm of Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C., in Westfield, supports RCAO through its various programs and is represented on its Board of Directors. Visit www.lindabury.com.

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