Can sculpture contest to kick off Serve-a-thon

SPARTA — The tenth annual Serve-A-Thon kick off is Friday, May 11 from 3 to 6 p.m. in Dykstra Park. Among the many activities at the kick off is an opportunity for groups of any kind to form up and sign up for bragging rights in a sculpture building contest that will help fill the county's food pantries. The Can-Struction Challenge requires groups to donate cans and boxes of perishable food out of which they will build a sculpture. Teams must pre-register. Forms are available at www.passitalong.org. Judging will be based on originality of design. Pass It Along is also looking for volunteers for its 10th annual countywide day of service. Teams and individuals are encouraged to sign up now. During Serve-A-Thon, volunteers will work on projects at about 20 locations around the county. See what sort of projects are available and sign up at the Web site. There will also be an opportunity for children to participate in the Little Citizen's Academy which is a Mini Serve-A-Thon for younger children and their parents or guardians. This will be held on the campus of Project Self Sufficiency in Newton. There will be eight projects geared towards children ages 4 through 12. Preregistration is required and can be done on the Web. The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 973-726-9777 for more information.