Did someone say clam bake?

By Amy Shewchuk
SPARTA — The Sparta VFW is gearing up and selling tickets for its 3rd Annual Clam Bake on Saturday, September 15, on the post's property on Main Street.
This popular local event features food and beverages, music and dancing by DJ Matt of Montreal Line Dancing.
Tickets are being sold in advance for $50 per person and are available for purchase at the VFW, Mohawk House, Burke’s Liquors and White Deer Liquors.
The event is run by the Sparta VFW Post 7248 members and friends, who have worked on the preparation for many weeks.
“Without our many friends and members this event would not be a success,” said Pete Litchfield, VFW post commander.
All of the proceeds from this event will go to the VFW National Home For Children.
Litchfield explained that the National Home for Children serves as a living memorial to America’s veterans by helping the nation’s military and veteran families during difficult times. It was founded in 1925 as a place where families left behind by war — mothers and children, brothers and sisters — could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their serviceman didn't come home.
Each state has a home. Money raised by the Sparta VFW goes directly to the New Jersey home.
“Here at the Sparta VFW we give all our donations to organizations within Sussex County," Litchfield said. "Thus far this year we have donated just under $20,000 in the first half of the year. Last year the proceeds from our annual Christmas Tree Sale went toward our scholarship fund and we were able to give several deserving local students the ability to further their educations. For the past two years we have reached the Silver Level of donations, this year we would like to reach Gold Level.”
Chris Hayden from Hayden’s Service Center in Sparta is generously supplying the clams. He has been procuring exceptional clams from a contact in Delaware for the Clam Bake for the past three years.
“I’m happy to help and I’ll continue doing this as long as I can,” Hayden said.
Local grower Anderson Farms and the Sparta Stop and Shop are also donating meat, fruit and vegetables for the event. There are other donors, as well, who wish to remain anonymous.
For more information on the Sparta VFW and its affiliated charities please visit the Sparta VFW Post 7248 Facebook Page or call 973-729-7011.
For more information on the VFW National Home for Children please visit their website at <URL destination="http://www.vfwnationalhome.org ">www.vfwnationalhome.org