Business Briefs

Sapphire Tans (formerly Hollywood Tans) will be holding its annual food drive from Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. All items collected will be donated to the Freehold Open Door Food Pantry and the Howell Emergency Food Pantry. Find "wish lists" by visiting www.SapphireTans.com. Bring in a food item on Saturdays and Sundays during the food drive and receive a free tan upgrade. Food may be donated at the Freehold location, 3 Village Center Drive, Raintree Towne Center, Route 537, Freehold Township, or the Howell location, 4870 Route 9 south (Village Square at Howell). Details: 732-863-0017 or 732-730-8221.

Mandee Shops announced that its stores will be the exclusive partner this holiday season for Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity dedicated to providing shoes to people in need. Now through Dec. 24, all 120 Mandee stores, including the store at 4051 Route 9 north, Howell, will be collecting donations of gently worn shoes. As a thank you for participation, each customer who donates will receive a 20 percent off discount coupon toward an item of their choice. Soles4Souls has given away more than 5.5 million pairs of new and gently worn pairs of shoes to date.

Coldwell Banker Riviera Realty will be working locally in support of the Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" program which collects toys for needy children throughout America and locally in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Since 1947, Marines have filled the dreams of millions of disadvantaged children during the holiday season. They do this by providing Christmas toys. A shiny new toy sends a message to a needy child that someone cares, that he or she has not been forgotten and that the magic of Christmas has not passed him or her by. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Coldwell Banker Riviera Realty, 2052 West County Line Road, Jackson.

Lakewood Young Professionals invites the public to join them for a special "Night at the Garden State Philharmonic" on Nov. 21 at the Strand Theater, Lakewood. A reception hosting the Young Professionals will begin at 7 p.m.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. with a Mozart overture and Russian-born pianist Elena Baksht performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20. The second part of the evening will feature an interactive multimedia presentation and exploration of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, followed by a full performance of the piece.

The evening is specially priced for Young Professionals and their guests at $10 and includes food, networking, the concert, and a cash bar. Registration is required by calling the Philharmonic at 732-255-0460. Regular prices at the door start at $28.

Young Professionals, a committee of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, is a support group for individuals of all ages who are working, in transition, or college graduates.

Items for the business section may be submitted by fax at 732-780-4192.