Business Briefs

Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey (VNACJ), Red Bank, has been awarded $10,000 by OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River. The award represents the second installment of a $20,000 grant awarded to VNACJ to support its "New Home for Home Care" capital campaign. OceanFirst provides grants to local organizations that make a difference in the lives of customers and neighbors.

The Mid-Jersey Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, announced that its spring MS Walk and Bike Tour both raised more than $1 million in the fight against MS. Proceeds will be devoted to MS research and for programs and services for local families with MS in the mid-Jersey area. The walk drew more than 5,000 participants and volunteers in nine locations in mid-Jersey, an increase of 1,000 over last year. The bike tour hosted more than 2,000 cyclists and volunteers and traveled up and down the Jersey Shore.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners' (NJAWBO) women's business center in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, has announced a competitive grant program aimed at new women business owners. Participants - low-income women in the planning stage or operating a business less than six months - must attend a series of classes and free seminars, and 10 winners will be presented with awards such as cash, and professional services. The seminars and dates are: "Are You an Entrepreneur," Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.; "Building a Marketing Plan," Sept. 29 from 1-5 p.m.; "Start Right!," Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 1-4 p.m.; "Bookkeeping & Introduction to QuickBooks," Nov. 3 from 1-3 p.m., and Nov. 10 and 17 from 1-4 p.m.; "Public Speaking," Dec. 1 from 1-4 p.m.; and "Raising Your Sales IQ," Dec. 8 from 1-4 p.m. All seminars will be at Brookdale Community College, Asbury Park Higher Education Center, 601 Grand Ave. For more information, call the business center at (609) 581-2220, e-mail wbcnj@njawbo.org, or visit www.njawbo.org.

The Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources is presenting "The Top 15 Things Employers Can Do to Improve Employee Health," Sept. 14 from 8-10 a.m. at Branches, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. Presenters Sue Kirkland and Rob Eccles of the American Cancer Society will discuss the top 15 interventions and proven strategies to improve employee health. Representatives from Monmouth Medical Center will provide a free blood pressure screening for all attendees. Fee is $35 for nonmembers, $25 for members, and an additional $5 for walk-ins, and includes a buffet breakfast. To register, call Kathi at (732) 244-8892 or e-mail jsahradmin@atbcelebr-ations.com.

Leon Cammen, Silver Spring, Md., has been named director of NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, Silver Spring. The program works closely with the 30 state Sea Grant programs nationwide, including the program managed by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium, Sandy Hook. Cammen has been with Sea Grant since 1990, where he has served as a program officer for several state programs Cammen has been acting director since the February retirement of former Sea Grant Director Ronald Baird. Cammen holds a doctor of philosophy degree in zoology from North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Matawan Student Enrichment Program has announced the addition of Eileen Antonison to its staff as a science instructor. Antonison is a science teacher in grades six and seven in the East Brunswick School District. She received her bachelor's degree at Manhattan College, and master's in curriculum and teaching at Columbia University, both New York City.