Sparta families come out to help the needy

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA — A joint effort from Sparta schools resulted in the 2nd Annual Family Service Night on Friday, Dec. 15 at Helen Morgan. Students and their families gathered together to help less fortunate Sussex County foster children.
The local and school communities of Alpine Elementary, Mohawk Avenue School and Helen Morgan Elementary donated approximately 1,000 toys and over $1,500 in gift cards. About 60 Sparta families volunteered their time on Family Service Night by wrapping all the gifts and preparing them for distribution.
The Denicola family of Sparta attended the event.
“We have three boys, Frank, Vito and Luca who all attend Sparta schools, so we are happy to come tonight and do what we can for other kids,” said Frank Denicola, father of the students.
The Division of Child Protection and Permanency in Newton will deliver the gifts to the Sussex County children. According to event organizers Tracy Layman and Jessica Nelson, all 86 children currently involved with the division had their wish list covered.
“Our 2nd Annual Family Service Night and Gift Collection was a great opportunity for many of our families to make a positive difference in the lives of local children in need,” said Doug Layman, principal of Helen Morgan Elementary School. “Having families wrap the gifts for individual children was a powerful way of making the collection that much more meaningful for those who donated as it was for whom the gifts will be given to.”