Departments

Creative Grange Activities Department
Audrey Planer, Director
P.O. Box 274
Hope, NJ 07844
Phone: (908) 459-4421 / Fax: (908) 459-4602
E-Mail: aplaner@earthlink.net

Janice Sharp
103 Lodge Court
Millington, MD 21651
Phone: (410) 928-3793
E-Mail: jmsharp@dmv.com

Litty Hado
5790 New Vernon Road
Gillette, NJ 07933
Phone: (908) 647-7321

Mary Shiveler
216 Dowdy Drive
Gibbstown, NJ 08027
Phone: (856) 423-2755

Mission Statement

The Creative Grange Activities Department will provide opportunities for members and non-members of the Grange to express their creativity through a variety of projects and activities. This Grange department will provide articles to be used by people for comfort and security, help to preserve our agricultural heritage, and encourage participants to express their creativity through crafts and baking.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROJECTS

Some of the Community Awareness Projects started by the National Grange are continued by this department. These projects include but are not limited to ABC Quilts, CAPS for Kids and the Foster Parent Program.

Health Project

Our health project is to support Breast Cancer through research and urge members to Don’t Duck Your Mammogram! This adorable duck represents hope for women all over the world, who are battling breast cancer and it can be purchased on line from the Munchkin Company who over the past two years has been raising money for the Susan G. Koman Foundation thru the sale of these ducks.

AIDS Quilts

We urge each Grange to make a quilt that will be given to a hospital caring for babies and toddlers that are the innocent victims of the AIDS epidemic. The NJ State Grange has donated aver 900 quilts to date!

CAPS for KIDS

Caps are need by various agencies to distribute to their clients. Hospitals give caps to all newborns and especially needed are preemie caps. They can be made out of leftover yearn and would only take an evening to do. Why not make a few? Caps can be given to the CGA Department or kept in your local area for distribution.

Campbell Soup Labels – Labels for Education

Campbell Soup labels and other product labels from Campbell Soup Company can be collected and sent to Camp Merry Heart, a facility for crippled children. They can also be given to the CGA Department and we will deliver them to the Camp. The address is::
Camp Merry Heart
RD #2, O’Brien Road
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Labels for Education can be saved and given to the CGA Department or be probably used by a local school in your Grange’s area. Check to see and help out rather than throw out.

Recycled Eye Glasses

This department is recycling used eye glasses, cases, safety glasses and sunglasses for the Medical Ministry International which is the world’s largest short-term volunteer Christian medical mission. Each Grange is encourage to construct a box or boxes to be placed in a doctor’s office, Senior Center, Community Center, Town Hall, etc. for assistance with this project. All glasses should be brought to State Grange or mailed to:
Medical Ministry International
PMB - 591
1001 South 10th Ste G
McAllen, TX 78501-5038

Foster Parent Program

A number of years ago the National Grange partnered with the National Foster Parent Association, Inc. to enjoy a working relationship on a subject of mutual concern: family and children. We have also taken this on as a project and urge each Grange to contact a local Foster Parent Unit to find out their needs and concerns.

Making tote bags for the youngsters to use when they have to move, the giving of Christmas gifts, sponsoring an event are all projects that have been done in the past.

Monetary donations are always appreciated.

Project Yellow Ribbon

Let’s continue to do a project to support our troops. There are many things that can be done: writing letters, sending packages, making neck coolers, knitting mittens and socks for the wounded, making throws are all possibilities. Check on the Internet for other ideas.

CREATIVE GRANGE ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT PROJECTS

New Jersey Museum of Agriculture

The New Jersey Museum of Agriculture will be sponsoring its 15th annual Plant and Landscape Auction on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 and its Chinese Auction on Saturday, June 7th, 2008. We are asking each Grange to donate either merchandise (new or nearly new) or money. Each year Granges are very generous in their support which has made for the success of these endeavors. A letter was sent to each Grange in February asking for help in continuing the success of these fund raisers.

Kelley Farm

The Kelley Farm in Elk River, Minnesota was the home of our founder, Oliver Hudson Kelley at the time the Grange was organized. We have been assisting the Farm by purchasing items that they need to keep the farm as a living history museum.

I have contacted the site manager, Bob Quist, and he suggested that they need to replace some bowls and crocks like the ones pictured on this page. They have to be specially made so as they continue to be authentic for the historical period. The cost for these replacements is $1000.00. I informed him that we will help provide them. Letters will be sent in the future to ask for donations for this project.

Cavalcade of Crafts

The following Craft Contests are open to Grange members as well as non-Grange members. Participants may use any brand product they wish to complete the project. Entries are due by 1:00PM of December 4, 2008.

Class A: Favorite Pastime – an article that tells of your favorite hobby.
Class B: Favorite Bazaar Idea – any item that can be sold at a Bazaar.
Class C: Favorite Holiday – any item table arrangement, wall-hanging, article of clothing showing a favorite holiday.
Class D: Purse or Tote – Construct a purse or tote or decorate an item which can be used as a purse or tote

Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three entries: First place $20.00, Second Place $15.00, and Third Place $10.00. All entries will receive a thank you gift.

Grange Bake-Off

The Bake-Off is open to members and non-members of the Grange. Disposable pans should be used; however, in the event that they are not, the committee will not be responsible for their return. Entries representing each Pomona Grange are due by 1:30PM of December 4th, 2008. Recipes must accompany the entry. Please have a name label attached to the plate or pan containing the baking entry.

Prizes are: First Place $20.00, Second Place: $15.00 and Third Place: $10.00 for Classes A, B and C. There will be a Pomona judging and winning entries will be brought to State Grange. Class D is for kids only, who may be members or non-members of a Junior Grange. There will be three age categories: 5-7, 8-11, and 12-14. Prizes will be awarded to the top five entries: First Place $5.00, Second Place $4.00, Third Place $3.00, Fourth Place $2.00 and Fifth Place $1.00. There will be NO Pomona Grange run-off for the Kids Only Class as all entries will be brought to State Grange.

Class A: Favorite Pound Cake – An entry will consist of a pound cake baked in a disposable pan, the size and shape as determined by the recipe.
Class B: Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies – An entry will consist of 25 cookies. Any added ingredients are at the discretion of the baker.
Class C: Favorite Cherry Crumb Pie – An entry will consist of one Cherry Pie with a Crumb Topping.
Class D: IKids-Only) Favorite Bar Cookies – An entry will consist of 16 bar cookies.