PARSIPPANY — Traditional Halloween celebrations often involve crowds, close contact between individuals, and activities in closed spaces. It is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives for celebrating the fall season. Outdoor activities, as opposed to indoor parties and events, are recommended. Those planning celebrations or participating in Halloween activities should keep in mind public health recommendations of social and physical distancing, wearing masks that cover the nose and mouth, and hand hygiene. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute for cloth or disposable masks. Individuals should minimize interaction and contact with others who are not a part of their household.

As a reminder, no one should participate in these activities if they or a household member have a known exposure to COVID-19, are sick/symptomatic, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not yet met the criteria for discontinuing isolation.

This year, as New Jersey continues to respond to ongoing transmission of COVID-19 in our communities, recommendations for adapting traditional celebrations and considerations for ways to celebrate Halloween safely are listed below. Some communities may choose to cancel Halloween activities, so check with local sources before making plans.

• Outdoor Door to Door Trick or Treating
  • Those who plan to trick-or-treat should limit their groups to current household members, consider staying local and limit the number of houses on their route. Social distancing should be practiced between all who are not in the same household.
  • For those putting out treats:
    • Good option: Limit interaction or contact with trick-or-treaters wear a mask when individuals come to the door and regularly wash hands.
    • Better option: Leave a treat bowl on a porch or table or in a place where it may be easily accessed while adhering to social distancing requirements.
    • Best option: Arrange individually packaged candy so that trick or treaters can grab and go without accessing a shared bowl.
  • Consider coordinating with neighbors to develop a system, such as signs or on/off porch lights, for distinguishing houses participating in trick-or-treating from those that do not wish to participate.
  • Wear a face mask to mitigate against COVID-19 exposure. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute but can be supplemented with a cloth or disposable mask. Children under two should not wear a cloth mask.
  • Candy should be commercially packaged and non-perishable. Consider individual non-food “treats” to avoid the sharing of food.
  • Practice hand hygiene (wash hands or use hand sanitizer) before leaving your home, after touching objects such as wrapped candy, and when arriving home.
• Outdoor Trunk or Treating (when children go car to car instead of house to house)
  • Limit the number of participating cars to ensure adequate space for social distancing and minimize crowds. Ensure the outdoor area has sufficient space per car to avoid overcrowding and to allow adequate space for social distancing.
  • Follow the outdoor gatherings limitations in effect at the time.
  • Design event in a long line, rather than a circle to ensure social and physical distancing to discourage crowding.
  • Consider having assigned times or multiple shifts to minimize crowding during the event.
  • Wear a face mask. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute but can be supplemented with a cloth or disposable mask. Children under two should not wear a cloth mask.
  • Candy should be commercially packaged and non-perishable.
  • Practice hand hygiene before the event, after touching objects such as wrapped candy, and after the event.
• Halloween Parties
  • Avoid large indoor or outdoor parties, which would be subject to the limitations currently in effect on indoor and outdoor gatherings.
  • Keep up to date with the most current restrictions on outdoor and indoor gatherings.
  • Avoid participation in activities that require close contact and/or shared items such as bobbing for apples
• Haunted houses, hayrides, and corn mazes
  • Wear a cloth or disposable mask while participating in these activities. As noted above, a costume mask does not suffice.
  • Indoor haunted houses should be avoided because of the possibility of the congregation and screaming in close quarters. If hosting a haunted house, ensure visitors maintain an appropriate distance by staggering start times and limiting occupancy. A better option would be to host an outdoor haunted house without live performers.
  • Hayrides should limit the number of passengers per ride and keep openings to the same party. Any shared materials should be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
  • Corn mazes should only permit individuals to proceed in one direction, should limit occupancy according to the applicable restrictions in effect at the time, and should avoid the use of shared materials.
  • Entities hosting these events are encouraged to take reservations and/or sell tickets in advance.
• 5. Examples of socially distant Halloween activities that would require minimal or no additional health and safety protocols include:
  • Virtual activities such as online costume parties.
  • Drive through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area/neighborhood with Halloween displays.
  • Carving pumpkins with family.
  • Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations.
  • Halloween themed movie nights with family

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Laura Wohland welcomed new member Justin Musella during a breakfast meeting on Thursday, October 8 at Empire Diner.  Justin was sponsored by Charter Member Frank Cahill.

Wohland said “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new member to our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Justin to our club. We welcome Justin to our global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

Musella said “I am honored to become a Kiwanis member earlier this morning. Community service and giving back has always been the two most important things in my life. Joining Kiwanis will allow me to further expand upon the contributions I make in Morris County. I look forward to all of the great programs and ideas this organization has planned for the betterment of our community in Parsippany.”

Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany is the largest Kiwanis Club in the State of New Jersey with 80 members, as of September 30, 2020. New members are always welcome. (Click here for more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany). Kiwanis members dedicate more than 6 million volunteer hours and invest more than $100 million in service projects that strengthen communities and serve children every year. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany ensures that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

If you are interested in learning about our club, we currently meet weekly on Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner or you can join via Zoom by clicking here). For more information click here.

PARSIPPANY — At the Tuesday, October 6, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting, Mayor Michael A. Soriano read a proclamation for National Breast Care Awareness Month. October is National Breast Care Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of this disease, and while we have seen an increase in mammography rates and a decline in deaths there is more we can do. which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of this disease and while we have seen an increase in mammography rates and a decline in deaths there is more we can do.

PARSIPPANY — On October 8, NJ Sharing Network and its many healthcare partners and volunteers throughout the state will work together to register as many organ and tissue donors as possible in celebration of Organ Donor Enrollment Day. The non-profit, federally designated organ procurement organization has set a goal of amassing at least 2,020 new donor registrations on 2020 Organ Donor Enrollment Day. The 2,020 goal helps create a positive spin on the number ‘2020’ as opposed to the negative ‘2020’ references seen virtually everywhere due to the challenges faced this year.

Currently, there are nearly 110,000 Americans – nearly 4,000 of whom live in New Jersey – waiting for a life-saving transplant.

“Organ Donor Enrollment Day is about taking action and inspiring others to learn more about how they can save lives through organ and tissue donation,” said Joseph S. Roth, president, and chief executive officer of NJ Sharing Network. “One organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and restore health to over 75 people. I am confident that everyone’s efforts on Organ Donor Enrollment Day will go a long way toward bringing hope to those currently waiting for a transplant.”

In New Jersey, one person dies every three days waiting for an organ transplant. However, the generosity of those in the Garden State is providing hope for the future. New Jersey’s organ and tissue donor registrations continue to rise thanks to strong community education and outreach efforts as well as simplified ways to register as organ and tissue donors are also helping to save more lives. It is now easier than ever for New Jerseyans to register in any of the following options:

• Online by clicking here.
• Through the iPhone Health App
• In-person at your local Motor Vehicle Agency

Another key component of Organ Donor Enrollment Day is encouraging those who register to have a conversation with their family and friends about their decision to donate.

“Donation provides comfort and healing to so many families after losing a loved one. It is so important to talk to your family and share your decision about organ donation so your gift is honored,” said Carolyn M. Welsh, vice president, and chief clinical officer, NJ Sharing Network.

Organ Donor Enrollment Day is deeply personal for NJ Sharing Network’s partners, advocates, and volunteers who are motivated to save and enhance the lives of those in need. Jayla Sorenson of Toms River is just one example. Jayla has a kidney disease that limits her ability to filter and clean her blood. The vivacious 8-year-old loves to dance, play outside, and hug and kiss her family members. But the clock is ticking towards a more critical stage in Jayla’s condition that will eventually involve a pediatric kidney transplant. Jayla and her family actively participate in events and programs to promote organ and tissue donation, including Organ Donor Enrollment Day and NJ Sharing Network’s 5K Celebration of Life with Team Jayla’s Journey.

“It’s all about raising awareness and helping others in need because someday we will be the ones in need,” said James Sorenson, Jayla’s father.

Typically, Organ Donor Enrollment Day features local and regional in-person activities and community events to raise awareness that will not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While NJ Sharing Network’s clinical and laboratory team members have continued their around-the-clock efforts to focus on saving and enhancing lives, the organization has developed creative ways to promote its mission virtually in online efforts throughout the pandemic through its robust social media channels, on its website and through targeted e-mails and mailings to its wide circle of supporters. NJ Sharing Network will be providing social media tools that supporters can use. Supporters will also be asked to share their stories about how organ and tissue donation has improved their lives or why they registered as organ donors. 

About NJ Sharing Network
Dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation, NJ Sharing Network is the non-profit organization responsible for the recovery and placement of donated organs and tissue for the nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents waiting for a life-saving transplant. With headquarters in New Providence, NJ, the organization, selected by NJBiz as one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” for the third consecutive year, is also part of the national recovery system, serving the nearly 110,000 people on the national waiting list. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor click here.