Scrapbooking event to help troops abroad

MILLSTONE - Scrapbooks and soccer balls have something in common with troops stationed overseas.

In their own ways, the two pastime objects are actually helping servicemen and servicewomen abroad. Proceeds from a scrapbook session in Millstone will go toward purchasing items for the troops, which include soccer balls.

Why soccer balls? According to Steve Matusz, of the Millstone Elks Veterans Committee, soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan are giving the balls away to area children in an attempt to stop them from assisting with the construction of roadside bombs in exchange for pieces of candy.

"The children love it and show up almost every night at the base's gates to see if there are any balls left," Matusz said.

According to Matusz, the Millstone Elks Veterans Committee is currently working on a statewide project to raise money to purchase the soccer balls for the troops.

"So far we have sent over 100 soccer balls to the 36th Engineer Brigade, located outside of Basara," he said. "We are also sending over any types of nonperishable foods, playing cards, phone cards, toothpaste, etc."

In an effort to support the soccer ball endeavor, Empress Concepts, a scrapbooking business in Millstone, is sponsoring a scrapbooking event - "Scrappin' for the Troops" - at Wagner Farm Park Recreation Facility in Millstone from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 5, which is National Scrapbooking Day. Proceeds from admission and a 50/50 raffle will be donated to the troops overseas.

According to Carol Sikora, of Empress Concepts, scrapbooking is the second most popular craft in America right now.

"Women and men of all ages understand the importance of sharing their stories with future generations," she said.

She continued, "Empress Concepts and its customers are helping to preserve and interpret family and personal histories through a visual and written history known as a scrapbook."

Space for the scrapbooking event is limited, and preregistration is required. For more information about "Scrappin' for the Troops" or Empress Concepts, visit www.empressconcepts.com, or contact Carol Sikora at (732) 792-2332 or csikora@empressconcepts.com.