Club awards $38,000 in scholarships
SPARTA On Thursday July 20 The 200 Club of Sussex County held its annual scholarship ceremony at the Lake Mohawk Country Club on the Boardwalk. A total of $38,000 in scholarship awards were presented to honorees pursuing education in the fields of law, public safety and emergency services. The 200 Club of Sussex County President Allen Langjahr presided over the ceremony along with Trustee, Eskil “Skip” Danielson. Also representing The 200 Club of Sussex County were Trustees Megan Ward, Robert McCracken, John Drake, Michael Gaus and Tony Torre. Hudson Farm, located in Andover, supports The 200 Club’s scholarship program. Representing Hudson Farm, Steve Polanish presented Caitlin Rafferty with a $20,000 scholarship payable at a rate of $5,000 per year over four years. Caitlin, who resides in Newton, will be attending Sienna College. Franklin Mutual Insurance (FMI) of Branchville presented Newton resident Joshua Couce with a $10,000 scholarship with $2,000 payable each of four years and a potential bonus of up to $2,000 depending the grade point average maintained by Joshua. Joshua will be attending Ithaca College. Howard Alden represented FMI at the ceremony. The Knights of Columbus, Marquette Lodge 588, a long-time sponsor of The 200 Club’s scholarship program, was represented by Don Reichert who presented two $2,500 scholarships the first to Chelsea Armstrong of Newton who will be attending Bloomsburg College and the second to Ayla Utter who will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University. Other scholarship honorees included Matthew Decker of Lafayette, Stephanie Fox of Branchville and Katherine Harris of Newton. Matthew who received $1,500 will be attending Sussex County Community College, and Stephanie Fox who received $750 likewise will attend Sussex County Community College. Katherine, who is attending Seton Hall University and received $750. The 200 Club also provides two $500 scholarships each semester for students at Sussex County Community College. The 200 Club of Sussex County is a 501-3c non profit organization that is funded exclusively by membership dues. In the event of a tragedy to emergency services personnel be they a volunteer or employee, The 200 Club of Sussex County presents a no questions asked check of $5,000 to the immediate family of the deceased. The 200 Club holds an annual meeting in December and has featured quest speakers Lou Dobbs, Judge Andrew Napolitano and now Governor Chris Christie. In 1952 the first 200 Club arose in response to the fatal shooting of Arthur Meyers a Detroit, Michigan police officer. Following the shooting, a local businessman, William Packer, wrote to his friends and asked them to donate to a fund in memory of the fallen officer. Packer and the Detroit Police Commissioner then met with the expectant widow, reviewed her finances and arranged to pay off the mortgage on the home, set up an education account for the yet unborn child and deposited $7,000 in the widow’s checking account. Since 1952, 118 Two Hundred Clubs have been established in 28 states with additional clubs in Puerto Rico and Central America. There are currently 18 Two Hundred Clubs in the state of New Jersey. To become a member of The 200 Club of Sussex County please contact President Allen Langjahr at apl@apl-law.com or The 200 Club of Sussex County c/o Nisivoccia LLP, 11 Lawrence Road Newton, NJ 07860.