GFWC Celebrates National Volunteer Week
In recognition of National Volunteer Week from April 18 through April 24, people around the country will celebrate the individuals in their communities willing to go the extra mile to help others. GFWC clubwomen are committed to Living the Volunteer Spirit, and it is this spirit that we want to recognize this week as well with a special three-part blog series that highlights members’ efforts. Although we are shining an extra light on volunteers this week, GFWC is proud to share the inspirational stories of clubwomen volunteering to make a difference for others every week.
Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach
On March 29, four members of the Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach (Delaware) delivered 40 boxes filled with donations to GFWC Affiliate Organization Operation Smile in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In total, 939 items were delivered, valued at $4,459. Items included children’s hospital gowns, Smile bags, and blankets. The team of clubwomen who participated said they did so because they thought they could make a difference and help children in developing countries with cleft palate and/or cleft lip. This group of women also encouraged other club members to participate, which led to 54 members and the club’s Caring Stitchers group sewing hospital gowns, knitting, and packaging items. Other members also dropped off materials for the project anonymously.
Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity focused on restoring children’s smiles through performing surgery on facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. They are dedicated to raising awareness of this life-threatening issue and providing lasting solutions that will allow children to be healed, regardless of financial standing, well into the future.
GFWC Junto Woman’s Club
Members of GFWC Junto Woman’s Club (Virginia) are continuing their commitment to improving the environment by participating in a new educational program with the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance (NRPA) for third grade students in Suffolk, Virginia, schools. The program is intended to encourage 8- to 9-year-olds to be an environmentally literate generation of problem solvers by learning about local waterways and watersheds, as well as the impact of rising sea levels on their community. Club members said they are excited to be involved with this new initiative by assembling the hands-on environmental learning kits and delivering the learning aids to local elementary schools.
The mission of NRPA is to raise public awareness and encourage environmental stewardships of local waterways. Several GFWC Junto Woman’s Club members also serve on the NRPA Board of Directors.