‘Penny race' collects $900 to buy gifts to troops

Sparta - Sussex County Technical School’s National Honor Society members raised over $900 in November’s fund raiser, a “Penny Race for our Troops.” The students shipped nine boxes of items to a Sussex Tech graduate stationed in Iraq, who shared all the goodies, toiletries, letters and cards with over 65 members of his security unit. The unit members thanked the faculty, staff and students of Sussex Tech, noting that theirs was one of the largest donations they received over the holidays. The students expressed thanks to Emil Kwasnik, who helped ship the boxes overseas, and to the businesses who contributed to the success of the fund raiser, including Lakeland Bank of Hampton, and ShopRite, Mossa’s Thrift Store, and Hobbytown USA, all of Newton. The sophomore class won the penny race and was treated to a breakfast and video on a large screen in the school auditorium. The senior class has asked for a re-match, and the next penny race is scheduled to take place this month, with proceeds going to the American Heart Association.