NOTES The nonprofit Monmouth County SPCA (MCSPCA) will hold its "Home 4 the Holidays" event to raise awareness of the joys of adopting a shelter animal Nov. 17 from 1-5 p.m. at the shelter, 260 Wall St., Eatontown. The event will feature hundreds of adoptable pets; radio personalities from 90.5 FM The Night at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft; raffles; and refreshments. Barkingdales will also hold its second annual holiday bazaar with custom jewelry, calendars, cards, organic dog biscuits and other items. To view adoptable pets, or for more information, visit www.monmouthcountyspca.org. ***** Family and friends of Melissa Egnatovich will hold a fundraiser Nov. 18, 1-8 p.m., at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park. The Atlantic Highlands mother of three was diagnosed with cervical cancer in May and has been undergoing treatment. Her husband is self-employed and Melissa does not have health insurance. Medical bills are mounting and there is still the strain of living expenses to be paid, including rent, utility bills, etc. The Family First Benefit will feature live bands, a DJ, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. Attendees can bowl and purchase tickets for an enormous variety of raffle items donated by supporters. (l-r) Michael Wheeler, Christian Eckstein, Tim Schmalz, Neil Slattery, Shayne Slattery, Tyler Neher and James Murray. Entertainment will include musicians Matt O'Ree, Pat Dinizio of the Smithereens, The Anderson Council, plus Bunnie England & The New Originals (live karaoke). Admission is a minimum donation of $10 at the door plus one nonperishable food item; or a minimum donation of $15 with no food item. Children under 15 years will be admitted with two food items, no cover. Asbury Lanes is located at Fourth and Kingsley avenues. For more information, contact Amy Egnatovich at aegnatovich@yahoo.com or call (732) 660-1601. ***** The Women's Ministry of Lincroft Bible Church will hold its women's Circle of Friends For Encouragement & Education (COFFEE) program Dec. 6 from 9:30- 11:30 a.m. at the church, 790 Newman Springs Road. Speakers Kathy Kirk and Donna McGorman will present "Facing Cancer With Courage." The two women walked side by side while Kathy battled cancer and Donna served as her caregiver. The women formed the nonprofit Hands of Hope in 2003 to minister to the needs of women who have or have had cancer. The program is free, and refreshments will be served. Child care will be provided for children up to age 5 at no cost. For more information, call (732) 747-1231. ***** Blue Tulip, Route 35 north, Middletown, will host a fundraiser for 180 Turning Lives Around Nov. 23-25. When patrons mention that they are shopping to benefit 180, 15 percent of the purchase will be donated to the nonprofit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence, family violence, abuse and sexual assault in the community. For more information, call Amy at (732) 264-9124 or email amyz@180nj.org. To make a direct donation to 180, call Nicole at (732) 264- 9124 or visit www.180nj.org. ***** Laurel Bay Health and Rehabilitation Center, 32 Laurel Ave., Keansburg, will hold its annual holiday bazaar Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured will be crafts, baked goods, a 50/50 raffle and flea market, with proceeds benefiting the residents' activity program. Donations of baked goods and collectibles are welcome, and vendor spaces are available for $15. For more information, call Angelika at (732) 787-8100, ext. 121. ***** A free pancake breakfast with Santa for area children will be held Dec. 9 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2179, 1 Veterans Lane, Port Monmouth section of Middletown. Parents are asked to write to the post members at VFW Post 2179, Attn.: Quartermaster, 1 Veterans Lane, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758, to confirm the number of children who will be attending. ***** On Oct. 4, 25 students from Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, traveled to the San Miguel School in Camden for a day of community service. The Camden San Miguel School is one of 71 San Miguel schools around the country conducted, as is CBA, by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The San Miguel Schools are all-boys middle schools that are sited (often in inner city areas) to provide traditionally underserved populations with an alternative educational setting. The CBA crew arrived in Camden and immediately set to work, led by Timothy Sewnig, director of campus ministry. They cleaned the school's basement, moved furniture, did yard work and painted. During their lunch break with the San Miguel pupils, the CBA students were struck by the boys' enthusiasm for learning and the appreciation they expressed for the CBA crew's work. Sewnig, along with another teacher and a crew of nine students, returned to Camden the following week. Another trip is planned for the spring.