Calls for Donors
New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) is calling on community members to donate blood ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, a period when donations traditionally drop and hospital demand remains high. All who come to donate at any NJBS donor center or blood drive before Sunday, November 30, will receive a festive long-sleeved t-shirt as a thank-you for helping patients in need.
The holiday season is historically challenging for the blood supply, as school breaks, travel, and seasonal illness often keep regular donors from giving. Last year, NJBS saw nearly a 36 percent drop in blood donations during the week of Thanksgiving alone.
Although the local blood supply is starting to stabilize, it hasn’t fully recovered after an unexpectedly slow fall, which is typically one of the strongest periods for donations. With Thanksgiving approaching and another anticipated holiday-week decline, NJBS is urging donors to give both before and after the holiday to help rebuild inventory.
The region currently has about a four-day supply of blood, below the ideal seven-day level. Type O, the universal blood type relied on in emergencies, has only a three-day supply. Donors of all blood types are needed to ensure hospitals are well prepared for the coming winter months.
“November is typically when we look to build our inventory before the holiday season ramps up,” said Jeannie Mascolino, vice president, regional operations at New Jersey Blood Services. “We’re encouraging everyone, especially first-time donors, to make blood donation part of their Thanksgiving tradition. It’s a simple, powerful way to give back, and we’re even sending donors home with a festive NJBS t-shirt as a small thank-you.”
Those unable to donate blood, as well as current blood donors who want to do even more, can support NJBS’s End of Year Campaign, which raises critical funds to strengthen and ensure a safe and reliable blood supply. Every contribution supports lifesaving research, donor center upgrades, mobile blood drives, and education programs that inspire the next generation of blood donors.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. To view current eligibility guidelines, or to make an appointment to donate, visit nybc.org or call 800-933-2566.
Princeton Airport is serving as a community Food Donation Center for the Montgomery Food Pantry collecting non-perishable food items this holiday season.
The Montgomery Food Pantry assists local residents facing temporary financial hardship by providing reliable access to nutritious food and essential household items.
Requested items include:
• Canned soups and vegetables
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Pasta, rice, and boxed grains
• Cereal and oatmeal
• Shelf-stable milk
• Paper towels and basic cleaning supplies
Princeton Airport is also serving as a Gift Donation Center for the Mercer County Board of Social Services collecting new, unwrapped aviation-themed toys – including model airplanes, aviation books, puzzles, and STEM kits.
Donations may be dropped off in the airport lobby daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., seven days a week, through Thursday, December 18.
The Princeton Airport is located in Montgomery Township, 3.5 miles north of Princeton on Route 206 at 41 Airpark Road. For further information, call 609-921-3100 or visit PrincetonAirport.com
The 16th annual Knit for Others program is underway at Princeton Public Library. Through the end of the year, handmade winter items are being collected for distribution to area organizations. Items will be displayed on a clothesline at the Welcome Desk on the first floor.
Most in need are traditional scarves, mittens and hats for all ages. Sweaters and afghans are also appreciated. Knitters and crocheters may use any type of wool or acrylic yarn. Kits with enough yard to make a hat or pair of mittens are available at the Welcome Desk. Patterns are also available.
Donated items, preferably in a sealed plastic bag, can be placed in the basket near the Welcome Desk. Visit princetonlibrary.org for more information.
Call for Films
The Trenton Documentary Film Festival solicits submissions of both feature-length and short documentary films from the Mid-Atlantic Region of, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. The festival offers filmmakers the opportunity to interact with audiences and connect with other filmmakers from the area at various stages in their careers.
The organizers encourage filmmakers to attend the festival and participate in post-screening Q&As that offer them a chance to share their love of film with each other and our audience members, and the prize-giving reception.
To be considered, films must have been completed after January 1, 2025.
Festival deadlines are as follows: Early Bird: January 5, 2026; Regular: January 26; Late: February 16.
March 30 is the notification date that your film is accepted for showing. The event will take place in early May.
Films must be submitted online prior to submission deadlines at filmfreeway.com/TrentonFilmFestival. By submitting a film you agree that if your film is selected, the Trenton Film Society (TFS) may screen your film at the Trenton Documentary Film Festival (May 2026) without payment of screening fees and may include your film in festival publicity and publications.
Should your film need to be withdrawn for any reason, please do so no less than 30 days before festival date.
Call for Art
Artists of greater Trenton and surrounding areas are invited to submit artwork for consideration in the upcoming Trenton Makes Jazz juried exhibition. A partnership of Trenton City Museum and the City of Trenton, this February-March 2026 show will cap a yearlong celebration of the music, musicians, venues, and audiences that have contributed to Trenton’s jazz scene — past and present.
Submit up to two pieces via email at exhibits@ellarslie.org by end of day Monday, January 5, 2026. There is no entry fee. Categories are paintings, works on paper, sculpture, photography, and digital art.
Exhibition dates are Friday, February 13, through Sunday, March 22, 2026. An opening reception takes place Friday, February 13, with additional talks and related events TBA.
The jurors for the show are Janis Purcell and Michael Richardson.
Notifications will be sent to entrants on or before: January 20 and posted online. Intake for exhibiting artwork will be February 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Exhibiting artists should bring a printed bio (max 2 pages) and/or artist statement (max, 1 page) for inclusion in the show’s artist info binder.
Artists ages 18 and up and residing, working, or studying in greater Trenton and surrounding areas are encouraged to enter. All entries must be submitted digitally. Email up to two pieces not previously shown in Trenton City Museum by end of day January 5 to: exhibits@ellarslie.org.
Images submitted will ideally have a resolution between 1MB and max 5MB. Each entry must include in the email cover message: title, artist’s name, dimensions, price, year completed, category, materials used.
The maximum dimension of any 2-D or 3-D piece, including framing and/or base or pedestal, is 72”. 3-D work must be movable by two people and preferably weigh no more than 100 pounds.
Artwork to hang must be professionally presented and ready to hang from our rod system with wire and d-rings. Sawtooth hangers will disqualify your piece. Unframed canvas must have properly finished edges.
Trenton Museum Society reserves the right to use images of accepted and exhibited artwork for promotion. We strongly recommend that artwork, where practicable, be for sale during the show. When pricing artwork, be aware that you will receive 60 percent of the purchase price; be sure to price your artwork accordingly. Payment to the artist is made within 30 days of the end of the exhibition.
