Business Briefs

Family Karate and Fitness, 27 Main St., New Egypt, will host a strength competition for men and women March 7 at 7 p.m. The event will feature a men's division and a women's division with three events and three classes in each division. The men's division will include three weight classes (lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight) and the women's division will consist of skill classes (novice, intermediate, advanced). The events will consist of bench press, squat and pull-ups. Prizes will be awarded for everyone who competes and a trophy will be presented to all first-place winners.

Family Karate and Fitness members can compete for free; nonmembers will be charged $10 at the door to participate. Details: (609) 752-0301.

Metro Salon and Spa in Friendship Plaza, 4546 Route 9, Howell, will host a fundraiser for the children of Sebastian and Gina Sgambati, who both recently passed away. All salon and spa services will be made available on March 5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to the general public and 100 percent of the proceeds will be given to the Sgambati children. Appoint-ments will not be necessary or taken that day because Metro will have a full staff available for all services. The first service will be charged the standard salon price and all additional services will be given 50 percent off. Details: (732) 367-9449.

What started off as a collectors craze for children may become the latest fundraiser for schools. The enthusiasm is for Webkinz, a stuffed animal that comes with a computer code which when typed into the Webkinz Web site allows a child access to a Webkinz wonderland. Mike Kafton, co-owner of the White Butterfly Gift Shop, Jackson, said he has reached out to local school representatives and asked them to consider using Webkinz as a fundraiser. He said when someone from a participating school buys a Webkinz or a Little Kinz at the store, a portion of the sale will be donated back to the school. Co-owner Michelle Katz said, "My own children were the first ones to alert me to these cute little critters. The kids spend hours and hours taking care of their Webkinz and Little Kinz and so not only is it fun, it provides them with a sense of responsibility, which is a very good thing." Webkinz retail for $10 and Little Kinz retail for $8. For more information call (732) 905-7898.

Howell Chamber of Commerce will host "Discover How the Chamber Can Help Grow Your Business" March 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Holy Grounds Christian Bookstore and Cafe, Route 9 north. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend and discover the discounted advertising opportunities offered to businesses. Attendees should bring business cards. R.S.V.P. by calling (732) 363-4114.

Curves of Jackson, 2080 West County Line Road, Jackson, is participating in the ninth annual Curves Food Drive to benefit the Jackson Food Pantry, March 1-30. Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at Curves Monday through Friday between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon. To encourage participation in the food drive, Curves of Jackson will waive its new member service fee for anyone who brings in a bag of nonperishable groceries during the food drive and joins Curves for the year. Barbara Hickock, owner of Curves of Jackson, said the goal is to collect 100 bags of food. Last year the Curves Food Drive collected 11 million pounds of food for local communities world-wide. Details: (732) 886-1800.

OceanFirst Foundation is assisting local volunteer fire departments and first aid squads across Monmouth and Ocean counties. The foundation has begun its annual distribution of $500 donations to each of the organizations. This year, nearly 140 volunteer fire departments and first aid squads will receive checks totaling more than $70,000. Since beginning the initiative 10 years ago, OceanFirst Foundation has donated more than $600,000 to local volunteer fire departments and first aid squads.