Flu vaccine to be distributed free to seniors; pneumonia also available
Mayor Richard Turner and The Township Council sent out a release last week to let all township seniors know that the flu vaccine will be distributed in Weehawken on Friday, Sept. 20. The vaccine will be given at the Senior Center in the morning from 9: 30 a.m.until 12 p.m. and in the afternoon in the Community Room at 525 Gregory Ave. from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The pneumonia vaccine will also be available. Please call the Senior Center at 201-319-6060 to sign up or for further information.
Give clothing to help others in need
Federacion Mercantil Hispana is hosting an old jacket and coat drive to benefit the needy of the area until Friday, Sept. 13.
“Remember, there are many people who could probably use a helping hand, and you can make a difference,” said a group spokesman.
Donations can be brought or sent to Orlando Bru, 2112 Bergenline Ave., Basement, Union City, NJ 07087. All clothing will be distributed on Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at 4113 Palisade Ave., Union City.
For more information, call (201) 865-0383.
Volunteers wanted for Hudson Medical Reserve Corps
If you would like to volunteer during public health emergencies and natural disasters in Hudson County or elsewhere, the Hudson Regional Health Commission (HRHC) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is looking for you.
MRC units are made up of locally based volunteers (with or without a medical background). They include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health professionals, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Other community members, such as interpreters, chaplains, office workers, and legal advisers, fill vital support positions.
Volunteers give a minimal amount of time and have the choice to respond locally only or to be deployed outside the county. MRC volunteers were an important part of the Superstorm Sandy response. They gave more than 450 hours, helping at shelters and acting as translators.
Volunteers participate in various trainings and drills throughout the year, enhancing their preparedness skills, and heightening their ability to respond to many different types of events.
Hudson County’s Emergency Management, police, fire, EMS, and public health professionals are working hard to identify, train for, and respond to emergencies that could impact those who live and work here, but more help is needed.
For more information, visit the HRHC website at www.hudsonregional.org and click on “Medical Reserve Corps” on the menu bar on the left. Interested individuals can also call Monique Davis, Hudson County MRC coordinator, or Christina Butieb-Bianco, assistant MRC coordinator, at (201) 223-1133 or email mrc@hudsonregionalhealth.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters host second Bowl for Kid’s Sake
On Sunday, Sept. 15, Eagle Rock Lanes in West Orange will be the site of Bowl for Kids’ Sake, an event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties.
More than 1,000 community members will enjoy food, music, prizes, and bowling to celebrate their achievement in raising much needed funds for this organization that matches children facing life’s challenges with caring, supportive adults for one-to-one mentoring.
Members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties Leadership Council urged all who can to participate or donate.
For more information, or to register a team, visit the group’s website at http://essexhudsonunion.kintera.org/bowl, call Sandra Ehrlich, Bowl for Kids’ Sake coordinator, at (973) 273-6311, or email Sandra.Ehrlich@bigsandkids.org.
Who will care for your loved one(s) after you’re gone?
NAMI Hudson, a nonprofit group for loved ones of people with mental illness, will hold a presentation, “Plan NJ,” on Oct. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hoboken Community Mental Health Center, 506 Third St. Parking is available behind the center.
Plan NJ (Planned Lifetime Network of NJ) is a non-profit organization that helps consumers and their families answer the question, “Who will care for my loved one when I am gone?” Plan NJ can help families with, monitoring, advocacy, guardianship, coaching, guidance, permanent repository, community and private trust administration, and benefits administration.
“Plan NJ can help with a one-time effort that will assist in helping with the financial, legal, and social resources needed for the consumer’s future,” said Agnes Byrne of NAMI. “After the plan is created, there is an opportunity to update as needed.”
There is a cost involved, but it is within the reach of most families, according to Byrne. Financial assistance and scholarship may be available.
For more information, call Kristiana Kalab at (862) 754-6654 or NamiHudson@msn.com for more information.