Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths Gives Back to Homeless New Jersey Veterans and Local Children in Need Over the Holidays

SPARTA – New Jersey Veterans have been treated to some special requests this holiday season, courtesy of Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths.

Twelve backpacks were lined up at the Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths showroom recently, with six for veterans currently being assisted by Family Promise of Sussex County, and six for the Lyons Campus of the VA New Jersey Health Care System, in Lyons NJ.

Chet Basher, who is the owner of Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths, as well as a Certified Kitchen and Bathroom Designer, served in the United States Army from 1966 through 1969, with service in Vietnam from 1968 and 1969. He volunteers his time to programs that help veterans who are coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has biked to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, with one of his rides for the organization, taking him on a trek from Los Angeles to Boston.

“It takes a lot of effort to get these things together,” said Basher of the backpacks.

Excellent quality items are chosen for the veterans, based on feedback that Basher and his staff have received personally from the veterans, about their needs.

“It’s important for people to have their dignity,” Basher said.

Each backpack has been filled with items, that includes: a heavyweight zippered and hooded sweatshirt, extra-large two piece long underwear, a brimmed hat, a knit cap, four pairs of socks (one thermal, one tube, and two pairs of miscellaneous), a heavyweight long-sleeved t-shirt, a pair of work gloves, one package of beef jerky, and two energy bars.

Catherine Dey who is an honors student at Kittatinny Regional High School and the daughter of Robin Dey, a designer and manager at Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths, has been instrumental in helping with this annual project, and also has volunteered her time with local groups such as Family Promise of Sussex County, and O.S.C.A.R.

“We’ve worked with Interfaith Hospital Network (Family Promise’s former name) and Manna House, as a family, and we’ve all been touched in some way,” added Robin Dey.

Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths, acknowledges the following businesses and individuals, for their contributions to the backpacks: Sussex Bike and Sport Shop (Sussex and Andover Township), Sparta Cobbler, Katherine and Mike Griffiths (Hampton Township), Kuiken Brothers (Wantage), Window Genie (Sparta), Holiday Inn Express (Newton), Hampton Deli, Drs. Tauber and Sciascia, and Orr’s Clothes for Country Living.

In another “paying it forward” act for the business, Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths has also worked this year with the Sussex Bike and Sport Shop to help several children in need in Hampton Township to have new bicycles and helmets under their Christmas Trees this year.

Sparta Trades Kitchens and Baths, located at 580 State Route 15, has been in business in the area since 1953. The business specializes in professional design, remodeling, installation and more, and has a heart for working with veterans as well, who may have physical needs that require remodeling in their homes. Showroom hours for Sparta Trades Kitchens and Bath are Mondays through Fridays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with other times available by appointment at (973) 729-3171. Their website is: www.SpartaTrades.com.

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