November 9, 2011 –The number of home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day was three times the national average of fires per day in 2009, according the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA.) NFPA is urging the public to keep fire safety in mind when preparing holiday meals.

“Thanksgiving can be a whirlwind of cooking and entertaining guests,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA. “With so much multitasking taking place, fire hazards around the oven or stovetop can easily be overlooked. Cooks should be conscious of fire safety this Thanksgiving whether the menu is meant to serve two or 20.”

NJ Blood Services, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, is in need of volunteers to work blood drives. The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team whose task it is assist donors with registration, escorting and canteen duties, and to watch for post donation reactions. Volunteers should have the ability to relate to the public, be able to perform different jobs as needed and have the willingness to follow the rules. For additional information contact, Manager of Community Relations, R. Jan Zepka at 732-616-8741 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Any man 40 years old or older who registers to donate whole blood or platelets at any Community Blood Services’ donor center or mobile blood drive from Monday, Sept. 12th through Saturday, Sept. 17th can request a complimentary PSA assay test — a simple prostate cancer screening test that can help detect potential disease – at the time of his donation.

“Offering complimentary PSA testing during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is one way for us to say thank you to our donors and show our commitment to the health of our community members,” said Karen Ferriday, director of community affairs at Community Blood Services.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In 1883, the Jewish American poet Emma Lazarus composed a sonnet, entitled “The New Colossus,” to help raise funds for erecting the Statue of Liberty. Twenty years later, a plaque was affixed to the completed statue, inscribed with her words:”Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free….” These poignant words still speak to us today, reminding us of our Nation’s promise as a beacon to all who are denied freedom and opportunity in their native lands.