Annual Harvest Shoot Benefits Project Self-Sufficiency

The Hudson Farm Club recently hosted a sporting clay shoot to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency. After lunch, the afternoon’s activities on the 3,800-acre hunting preserve were followed by a magnificent dinner in the facility’s Crow’s Nest event space. Music was provided by the Meant to Be Jazz quartet. Project Self-Sufficiency participant Eliaze Arcos gave a stirring presentation about his experiences as a New Jersey Youth Corps student. Signs were donated by Mark Maruska of Gravity DesignWorks. All proceeds benefited Project Self-Sufficiency’s services for low-income families in Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties.

The Hudson Farm Club has hosted a Sporting Clay Outing on behalf of Project Self-Sufficiency for many years. Like a golf outing, the Sporting Clay Outing allowed participants to shoot at an assortment of clay targets available at 20 different locations throughout the sprawling grounds. Each shooting station offered a different presentation of targets, allowing participants to simulate game shooting in a variety of ways. Teams had the opportunity to take aim at 100 clays over the course of 3 ½ hours. The Hudson Farm Club provided cartridges, ear and eye protection, and instruction and guidance tailored to each participant’s experience level.

“The Harvest Shoot is an important component of Project Self-Sufficiency’s annual fundraising campaign. We rely on the funds raised with this event to assist low-income families in northwestern New Jersey to attain economic self-sufficiency and family stability,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We are particularly grateful to the membership of the Hudson Farm Club for their continued support of this unique event.”

Many individuals and organizations contributed to the event. Dinner sponsors included The Silent Maid, 1924; J.P. Perry, Henry O. Baker Insurance; and George’s Salvage Company. Lunch sponsors included Greg Ackerson, Blue Ridge Lumber Company; Bruce Gordon; Brian Lytwynec, Franklin Mutual Insurance; Hilary Kruce and Vincent Signorile; and Susan and Gregory Murphy. Foursome sponsors included Chris Barchetto, Smolin, Lupin, & Co, LLC; Dermody & Botarelli Families; Henry O. Baker Insurance; Rich Hoer, Lakeside Construction; the Inganamort Family; IronRidge Wealth Management Group; Bruce R. Koerner Cranes & Equipment; J. Lesch Construction; Joseph Matarazzo, D & L Paving Contractors; the McBride Family; Leo Miller, Henry O. Baker Insurance; Luke Olenowski, Denville Line Painting; Ronetco Supermarkets, Inc. The cocktail hour was sponsored by Kathy and Lou Esposito. Stations were sponsored by Lakeland Bank and Diane and Basil O’Connor.

The event was augmented by a live auction featuring items donated by Byram Bus, Inc.; The Capital Grille; Joseph Coltelli, Castle Fire Protection, Inc.; Dolores and James Fernandez; Robert Gebhardt, Allied Beverage Group, LLC; Joe Notare, Gemini Restoration; Rich Hoer, Lakeside Construction; the Hudson Farm Club; Il Capriccio Ristorante; North Shore House and the van der Haeghen Family; J.P. Perry, Henry O. Baker Insurance; Luke Olenowski, Denville Line Painting; Perona Farms; Dr. Thomas Peterson; and Wine Traders of Newton.

Project Self-Sufficiency Board of Directors member J.P. Perry has served as event chairperson for several years. “It was exciting to welcome everyone to the Hudson Farm Club. This was a great opportunity to get outside, enjoy a beautiful place, and spread the word about Project Self-Sufficiency.”