The recipient of February's Giving Tap is Winter4Kids, located at the Campus of The National Winter Activity Center, in Vernon, NJ. Some people may remember the location from many years ago as the old “Hidden Valley” ski resort. Winter4Kids began in 2015, and they are a 501c3 nonprofit, youth-serving organization.

Winter4Kids creates opportunities for meaningful change. Through outdoor activities and program enrichment, Winter4Kids helps children build skills for life. The life-changing outcomes are that children develop better attitudes towards Self (self-esteem, confidence, resiliency), Health (physical activity, mental, nutritional), Opportunity (sports, academic, life), Mastery (being one’s personal best) and a love of the Outdoors!

At the Winter4Kids Campus, all children are welcomed and embraced as their own authentic selves, and where they can always feel a sense of belonging in a safe space. Winter4Kids exists to create healthy lifestyles for youth, and in the wintertime, provide opportunities through a development program to be active and healthy by learning snow skills, namely skiing, snowboarding and cross-country. Nutritious, homemade meals, snow clothing and equipment, and program enrichment are included. Life skills and core values are the heart of the curriculum, with mentorship as a critical component. Their dedicated staff and volunteers connect with kids on many levels as they share their vast backgrounds and impart to the kids that they have opportunities in life that they did not think they could have or have access to. Also, Winter4Kids has a competitive Athletics program and their W4K team participates in the New York State Ski Racing Association!

During the summer, they continue to provide a fun, welcoming and safe place for kids to come and stay active. They offer a weekly camp with unique activities such as archery, biathlon, mountain trail biking, orienteering, hydroponics and culinary, robotics, hiking and arts and crafts. Nutritious meals are always included, and kids get to make healthy meal choices and learn about the benefits of healthy foods as they make kid-friendly dishes using ingredients from their hydroponic garden.

To learn more about Winter4Kids and inquire about their programs or their volunteer opportunities, please come to Krogh's on Sunday, February 12, as we host a Dining to Donate for them! Representatives of Winter4Kids will be here for a Meet & Greet from noon-4:00 pm that day to answer any questions! Winter4Kids will receive a portion of the day's sales to help support programs for kids!

Lastly, have a beer from our Giving Tap because Winter4Kids will receive $1.00 for each draft sold on that tap during February! Must be 21 or older to purchase alcohol.

The recipient of January's Giving Tap is Found In Thyme, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit farm sanctuary in Wantage that specializes in welcoming disabled, neglected, senior and special needs barnyard animals. Found In Thyme Farm sanctuary was co-founded by Stephanie and Trevor McPherson in 2017 and their mission is to provide every animal placed on their farm a soft and loving place to land, ensuring that they receive the proper care and treatment that they deserve. Found In Thyme exists to ensure that no animal is denied a quality of life.

As a recipient of the Giving Tap, Found In Thyme will receive $1.00 from every draft sold on that tap this month, but to go one step further, we are collecting Christmas candy canes and peppermint candies for their horses! The candy is good for the horses' digestion and it stimulates their appetite, which is great for the older horses they care for! A drop-off box can be found inside Krogh's main entrance and it is accessible during business hours daily.

We've all been affected by today's inflation and rising costs of goods, but this has really hit Found In Thyme hard. No one can describe the rough patch they are enduring better than the founders themselves so here are their words:

Our horses just received their very last round of bale from our previous hay fundraiser. While they happily munch away, we’re worried for them. Inflation has affected the sanctuary so much more than we could have imagined. The price of hay has increased tremendously, which is one of our largest financial burdens on the sanctuary. As we prepare for winter with our senior gang who relies so heavily on their 24/7 access to hay, we’re faced with heavier financial obstacles. Our current needs rest with hay, feed, farrier costs, supplements and ongoing medication.

This year we have turned away animals that needed us because we are unable to provide for more than we have at this time. This is such a hard part of rescue that often isn’t talked about. Having to make the decision to close our doors this year so that our gang here, from the pigs to the goats to the horses and all of our feathered friends, gets the care they deserve, was extremely difficult. Winter is one of the most stressful times on the sanctuary and with inflation comes the responsibility of focusing on continuing to provide the best life for our residents. As the years roll by our animals are getting older. Their needs grow with every new gray hair on their muzzle and goatees. New supplements are needed for older horses who need to maintain their body weight. Many of our animals now feel aches and pains, the same way we humans do, when they get up from a comfy nap. Our gang needs more vet checks to monitor arthritis and medications. A lot of these guys were rescued at an older age when these needs became too much for their previous families. We feel animals deserve the same compassion and care in their old age that they did in their younger years. These animals are old, but they aren’t broken or damaged. We don’t discard them after a certain age; we make sure they feel loved and safe as they live out what time they have left, embraced in comfort. This is our struggle right now.

You can help us provide these animals with the best retirement we can. They might be elderly, or maybe they don’t move as fast or even run anymore. They might need extra guidance into the barn, and accidentally step on you when they miss their footing. They might slobber on you after their breakfast, as they become slower to eat. They might take longer to navigate their way to you when you call them as their eyesight isn’t so keen anymore and their senses aren’t as sharp. But let me tell you something...those animals have just as much love to give, just as much appreciation, and just as much heart as when they were young. We often think about their previous lives and what they were like in their “glory years”. We would have loved to know them then and would have loved to have even more time with these amazing animals than we do, but we are so blessed and grateful to know them now when they need us the most. One day, and most likely soon for some, they will, unfortunately, leave us for a much greener pasture, one that will never run out, where they will run and buck again. We think about how hard that will be for us, for our kids and for their other furry and feathered friends. This is a part of rescue rarely talked about and it’s incredibly heart-wrenching. These animals don’t get adopted; they don’t go on to another family. They reached their final family, their final fields, their final stalls. We’re the last to love them. We focus on what we can provide in the time they have left while ensuring they are comfortable. And that’s where we rely on you, our community, our friends!

So besides peppermint candy donations and supporting the Giving Tap at Krogh's, here are some ways you can help us give our animals the absolute best retirement:
⁃ Monetary donations: We are so grateful for even $5.00! Every little bit adds up! $5.00 is hay for ONE horse for ONE day! Our preferred methods for monetary donation are:
...Our website (http://www.foundinthyme.org)
...Venmo (foundinthyme) as it’s the quickest way to receive funding
...PayPal (foundinthyme@gmail.com)
⁃ Feed donations: Our entire sanctuary is fed through Brodheckers Farm, where most of the feed is milled directly by them. Our horses and pigs flourish with the grain from Brodheckers, enabling us to keep weight on the older crews. If you would like to donate feed you can call Brodheckers at (973) 383-3592 and reserve feed for our next pickup.
⁃ Tractor Supply gift cards: We utilize Tractor Supply nearly every day. Here we purchase our supplements (beet pulp, alfalfa, wheat bran, weight booster, dewormer, etc). This is so very important, especially in winter!
⁃ Veterinarian donations: With old age comes more frequent checkups. If donating to our vet is how you would like to help, please PM us through our website for more information on how you can do so!
⁃ Spread the word: Sharing what we do here is a significant way to help us in our mission!
⁃ Getting involved: If you or your family is looking for a way to help your community, please consider the sanctuary. We will be hosting winter fundraisers, and we are always grateful for help! If you’re looking to host a fundraiser, please reach out to us!

As always, thank you for your support, encouragement and generosity. We appreciate you ♥️
⁃ The McPherson Tribe

The recipient of our December Giving Tap is Father John's Animal House. Their overall mission is not only to place animals into loving homes, but to promote spay and neuter to alleviate the problem of homeless animals and overcrowded shelters. They value the bond people have with animals and they strive to give each homeless animal a family that will love and care for them for a lifetime.

Father John’s Animal House was founded in 1999 by a small and very dedicated group of people, that recognized a great need in our community to help homeless and otherwise unwanted pets. The land was originally overseen by Father John, a retired member of the clergy, who took exceedingly good care of his livestock. The shelter was named after him to honor his dedication to the welfare of animals.

The shelter now has the capacity to safely and responsibly place over 800 animals each year. Each animal is fully vetted, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped prior to leaving for their adoptive home. Their shelter personnel work hard to match each adoptive family with the perfect animal to become their lifelong pet. This year, Father John's also opened a low-cost spay/neuter clinic to further combat the ongoing pet homelessness issue. They seek to be a resource of information and service for the community to encourage responsible and committed pet ownership.

For the month of December, Father John's will receive $1.00 from every draft sold on our Giving Tap so that they can continue to support and service responsible pet ownership.

The recipient of November's Giving Tap is Pass It Along, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2001 in Sparta, NJ. Their mission is to build confident, compassionate, and resilient teenagers through self-discovery, leadership and volunteerism. Throughout the year, they provide free after school leadership, self-discovery, and service-learning programs at their Youth Center located at the Shoppes at Lafayette. They deliver in-school social-emotional learning workshops, and they organize community service projects and opportunities with non-profit organizations throughout Sussex, Morris, and Warren Counties. Pass It Along also runs a number of community events, such as the Pass it Along Triathlon, Pass It Along Day, the Scholar Athlete Program, Family Volunteer Day, and much more!

At Pass It Along, they believe every teen should have the tools and opportunities to discover and embrace themselves, along with the power to make a difference in the world. By participating in Pass It Along programs, teens gain a strong sense of self and learn about the positive effects of helping others. By the time they finish high school, many teen participants have completed hundreds of community service hours by participating in Pass It Along programs. By supporting Pass It Along through the Giving Tap at Krogh's this November, you'll be helping to create new leadership and service-learning opportunities, provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors, and to keep programs free to participants.

They are always looking for new teens to join Pass It Along programs, as well as adult volunteer leaders to assist in running service opportunities throughout the year. To learn more about ways to get involved or to support Pass It Along, please visit their website, follow them on social media, email service@passitalong.org or call 973.726.9777.

Be a voice. Be a leader. Be the change. Pass It Along!

The recipient of October's Giving Tap is the Sparta Elks Lodge #2356, a non-profit located on the boardwalk at 6 West Shore Trail. Perhaps you are familiar with their made to order breakfasts that they do twice a month on Sundays. They have the best breakfast in town and priced reasonably at $8.00. All proceeds benefit local charities and help with their building maintenance. And did we mention that veterans eat free? The Sparta Elks, however, does more than cook for the public. The Sparta Elks is responsible for supporting several local charities and causes.

First, there is Elks Camp Moore, a special needs children's camp in Haskell, NJ. The Sparta Elks sends local children for an overnight camping experience at no cost to families. They also take these children to games and host several holiday parties for them throughout the year. Monies generated from the Giving Tap will help support the work that they do for these children.

In addition, the Sparta Elks lends support to our veterans. During the pandemic, they assisted several local veterans with home assistance and furnishings. The Elks also assist in transportation to veteran centers, as well as nights out for dinners and entertainment.

Last, but not least, the Sparta Elks also participates in local drug awareness programs and various youth programs, as well as other causes, like our local food pantries, providing Christmas to 14 families, and the list goes on and on. They are proud to say that through their fundraising and membership efforts, they have given back over $11,000 to our community!

We can help them continue their work! Krogh's will donate $1.00 from every draft sold on the Giving Tap during the month of October to the Sparta Elks Lodge #2356, and this money will benefit the work they do for special needs children at Elks Camp Moore!

The recipient of September's Giving Tap is the Sparta Historical Society, which was founded in 2002 by Marjorie Strohsahl and Ed Fritsch, along with a small group of charter members. The Sparta Historical Society began to provide the Sparta area with educational lectures and seasonal trips to historic sites and as the fledgling group grew, it began to look for an historic property in Sparta to preserve.

In 1996, the Sparta Board of Education purchased the Mohawk Dairy and Van Kirk Homestead to build a middle school. The Van Kirk Homestead had been occupied by the Van Kirk family for over 200 years and it remained after the school’s construction. Even though it was in disrepair, the house and grounds provided an opportunity for the society to fulfill its vision after eleven years of incorporation. The Homestead was initially leased and ultimately purchased in November 2013. Major repairs followed, including a new roof, furnace, and septic system. Work on the Homestead's interior began in May 2014. Working daily, volunteers opened the house to visitors by September of that year. Drop-in visitors noticing activity offered encouragement as well as wonderful treasures tucked away in attics that could fulfill the educational story behind the Homestead, Sparta, and the region. This year the Sparta Historical Society celebrates their 20th anniversary and they invite you to visit and be amazed as there is always something NEW each time you do!

THEIR MISSION
Sparta Historical Society, Inc. preserves our local arts, history and natural sciences while presenting their wonder to the community through diverse museum exhibits and educational programs.

THEIR VISION
To inspire the community to appreciate, support, and participate in preserving our local cultural and natural heritage.

THEIR PURPOSE
Sparta Historical Society, Inc. is a non-profit corporation and shall be operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The specific purposes of the society shall be the following and $1.00 from every draft sold on the Giving Tap during the month of September will aid in continuing and supporting these endeavors:
-To foster an understanding and appreciation of the diverse natural and cultural heritage of Sparta and the surrounding area through educational programs;
-To restore and preserve the Van Kirk Homestead as a Museum and open it for the enjoyment of future generations;
-To encourage public support and maximize community volunteer participation in the preservation of Sparta’s legacy;
-To develop and maintain special collections and diverse exhibitions relevant to historical, artistical, and natural trends and events affecting the region; and
-To selectively accept donations of real or other property, money, and grants for facilitation of the above purposes.