Notes The Student Council at Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch presented a $1,000 check to Madonna House in Neptune during the holiday season. The donation was used to purchase presents for disadvantaged children. Madonna House serves infants and children, from those who are homeless to children of families faced with temporary financial difficulties. The nonprofit provides clothing, furniture, toys, infant formula, small household items and children's supplies free of charge. ***** The township of Ocean Community Celebration Committee will be hosting a St. Patrick's Day party Friday, March 16, at The Renaissance, 1110 Valley Rd. in Ocean. The party will start at 7 p.m. and will include a traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner until 8 p.m. Festivities will include dancing to music by DJ Sax Man Dan. Mary Pat Napolitano will be honored at the St. Patrick's Day party. Admission is $25. To make a reservation mail a check payable to the Community Celebration Committee to Ruth Finn, 399 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst 07755 or attendees may pay at the door. For more information, call (732) 531-5000. ***** The Ocean Township Historical Museum will hold its annual Spring Tea Saturday, May 5, from 2-4 p.m. at the West Park Recreation Center to benefit the restoration of the historic Woolley House, the future home of the new museum. Finger sandwiches, gourmet teas, assorted scones, cookies and other home-baked goodies will be served. There will also be a hat contest, gift auction, and a sale of craft and quilt items. Seating is from 1:45-2:45 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are sold in advance only. For ticket information, call (732) 222-5289. ***** Family & Children's Service (FCS) on Bath Avenue. in Long Branch will host the second annual "Girl's Night Out" March 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Branches in West Long Branch. Tickets are $50 and proceeds will benefit FCS. The night will include massages, psychic readings, makeovers, beading stations, flower arranging, wine tasting, karaoke and more. For more information, call Linda Steel at (732) 222-9111 or e-mail to lsteel@fcsmonmouth.org. ***** The Long Branch Police Department, in collaboration with 180 Turning Lives Around, has a team of specially-trained volunteer advocates available to meet confidentially with domestic violence victims at police headquarters. The volunteers work in conjunction with the police to provide support, information, referrals and a safety plan to the victim and their family at a time of crisis. The advocates also advise the victim of their legal rights in regard to obtaining a temporary restraining order. The Long Branch Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) began service Jan. 1, 2006. 180 Turning Lives Around will conduct the next 40-hour certification training for new DVRT volunteers in June. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, possess a valid driver's license, be willing to serve on an on-call basis and submit to background investigations and fingerprinting. For more information about the DVRT program, or to train to be a volunteer, call Long Branch Police Detective Kimberly Leavy at (732) 571-5681. ***** Did you know that nearly 20 percent of adults living in New Jersey cannot read a newspaper, fill out a job application, decipher a train or bus schedule, or understand verbal instructions in the workplace? Literacy Volunteers of Monmouth County is seeking volunteer tutors to teach basic literacy and English as a Second Language to local residents. There are presently students waiting for tutors; the next training classes will begin March 13 and run through April 17. Please call Literacy Volunteers at (732) 571-0209, send an e-mail to lvmonmouth@brookdalecc.edu or visit www.lvmonmouthnj.org for more information. ***** Join the Central Jersey Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), along with honorees, Justin and Victoria Gmelich, Rumson, at the 7th Annual Gala, Saturday, May 19, in Rumson. The theme for the evening will be "Let the Cure Take Flight" to signify that a cure is on the horizon. The event will feature live and silent auctions with unique, one-of-a-kind items and a car raffle for a donated Infiniti G35 4-door sedan. Raffle tickets are $200 each and only 350 are available. Tickets to the gala are $350. For additional information, contact the JDRF Office at (732) 219-6654. ***** For 27 years, people with special needs in Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties have relied on Alternatives to help them live fulfilling, meaningful lives. Alternatives' 20th annual Dignity Gala on Saturday, March 24, at the Bridgewater Marriott will provide the community with an opportunity to help the nonprofit organization create housing, employment and support programs. Bedminster resident John Graf Jr. is being honored for his years of community service at this year's black-tie optional Dignity Gala. The event's theme, "That's Entertainment," promises a lively evening with a cocktail hour and a silent auction beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $200 and are available by contacting Raritan-based Alternatives at (908) 685-1444, ext. 226 or afeiner@alternativesinc.org. ***** Pope John XXIII Regional Catholic School, in Oceant Township, will host a St. Patrick's Day Silent Auction Saturday, March 17, from 7:30-10:30 p.m., in the school gym, 73 Wickapecko Drive. The event will include dancing, beer/wine and light fare. Items to be auctioned include an overnight stay in NYC with tickets to a Broadway play, a sunset sailing trip with views of the New York skyline, portrait packages from James Anthony, a tour of the New York Stock Exchange, N.Y. Jets tickets (one preseason game, one regular season game), a hot-air balloon ride, artwork, jewelry, trips and many other fabulous items. Tickets are $30. For information, tickets or to donate, call Patti Lynch at (732) 915-8653.