'The J' Open House Sunday Giving Discounts, Freebies, Raffle

The J, with locations in and , wants the community to know it's open to everyone and, in partnership with Patch, is sponsoring an open house to show visitors around on April 29.

On that day, the Jewish Community Center will give tours and show visitors benefits of both centers. Visitors who express interest in a membership can get a free five-day membership pass, a half-hour consultation and an additional Patch discount for a membership signup. The J will also raffle off two three-month memberships — one for each location.

Those three-month memberships will include all the benefits of a "regular" membership, including use of the outdoor pools, use of either location, and member discounts on programs and services.

At the open house, visitors can also get food and be entered for door prizes, as well as free smoothies at the Creve Coeur location.

The J offers programs in fitness, aquatics and other sports, as well as arts and cultural programs such as adult and youth theater, book sales and a film festival.

"We are a community resource," said Lisa Marucci, director of marketing and communications for The J, stressing that the centers are not built to serve only the Jewish community. "We're open to everyone. It's an inclusive resource, not exclusive."

Marucci said the centers can help families take care of everyone from young kids to elderly parents through its early childhood and youth and family programs.

The at both the  and  locations of The J, from noon till 4 p.m.