Sparta Junior Woman's club captures state gold

SPARTA-The Junior Woman's Club of Sparta excelled at the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Club's Junior Membership Spring Convention held in Somerset in May. The club earned 12 awards, eight of which were honors earned competing against all 52 Junior clubs in the state. Earning a place among the top 12 clubs in New Jersey for outstanding work in all departments, a "Diamond Dozen" award was presented to the Junior Woman's Club of Sparta for the fourth consecutive year. For excellence in journalism, the club received second place for the "Golden Key" award. In the creative writing competitions Sparta club members excelled: first place for fiction was awarded to Wendy Brawer, and first place for non-fiction was awarded to Lisa Chiariello. The club also earned second place honors for "Best Work in Leadership" and "Best Work for State Project," as well as special recognition for donating more than $1,000 to UNICEF. Also earning honors at the membership category level, the club competed against eight other groups in the state with 37 or more members; first place for the Arts, Home Life and Public Affairs departments; and second place for the Education and Public Relations departments. The Sparta Juniorettes, girls ages 12 through 18, received awards for their efforts as well. The group earned third place for public affairs and third place for the art department. The Junior Woman's Club of Sparta received a "Thousand's Club" award for contributing more than $1,000 to Canine Companions for Independence (actual contribution of $3,600, the largest contribution of all junior clubs in the state), the charity all junior clubs in the state worked together to support over the years 2002 through 2004. The combined efforts of the New Jersey State Federation clubs amounted to $189,429 in contributions to CCI, four NJSFWC n JM members volunteered to raise CCI puppies, and greater public awareness was spread statewide of the organization and its efforts. Cathy Arnao Henes, a Junior Woman's Club of Sparta member from 1982 to 1991, was honored posthumously for her contributions to the club. Her name was placed on the "State Honor Roll," the highest honor a club can bestow on a member for outstanding dedication and service. Collectively the NJSFWC nJM clubs contributed 333,101 volunteer hours and $1,048,024 to improve their communities. Last year the Junior Woman's Club of Sparta raised and disbursed more than $22,000 and contributed 12,447 volunteer hours to the community, charities and organizations. Events planned for this year include Sparta Day on June 12, Safety Village on June 28 through July 1, Make A Difference Day Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign on Oct. 23, Festival of Trees to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Interfaith Hospitality Network on Nov. 19 through 21, and Dollars for Smiles, a Casino Night to benefit Operation Smile, to be held in winter 2005. Currently, there are 59 members in the club. Membership is open to women in the local area. Please visit www.jwcsparta.org or call 973-300-7309 to learn more about the Junior Woman's Club of Sparta and its upcoming events.