Author: SMayuga

GFWC Woman’s Citizenship Club in Alamosa (Colorado)

The GFWC Woman’s Citizenship Club in Alamosa (Colorado) surprised more than 800 employees of the local hospital and health clinics with San Luis Valley Health and 20 employees of the DaVita Dialysis Center by creating and donating 21 “Gratitude Boards” as a way to thank healthcare workers for their dedication this year. The boards were placed in the breakrooms of every department. Each board included a variety of snacks and a pair of scissors to snip each snack free when needed.

GFWC Santa Rosa Woman’s Club (Florida)

When COVID-19 forced the town’s library to close for browsing, the GFWC Santa Rosa Woman’s Club (Florida) devised a way for area readers to continue to enjoy looking for books. The Education and Libraries Community Service Program set out to locate every neighborhood Free Little Library book box along the 16-mile stretch from Gulf Breeze to Navarre, Florida, with the goal of making a map. As each little library was located, members photographed the book boxes and posted the photo and description on the club’s Facebook page.

After locating and photographing 30 small libraries, they created and launched a Google Map of neighborhood book boxes and little libraries. The map includes a pop-up photo of each little library with tips on finding it.

In addition to creating the map, club members involved with the community service project donned Santa hats and protective masks and visited the small libraries before Christmas, donating more than 50 sanitized children’s books to encourage reading during the school holidays. They also organized a personal library book drive of specific genres for an elder woman leaving an assisted living facility due to a COVID-19 outbreaks.

GFWC Helena Woman’s Club (Montana)

The GFWC Helena Woman’s Club (Montana) has been working on initiatives to support the local Veteran’s Association at Fort Harrison in Helena, Montana, including easing the transition of some of the homeless veterans into redeveloped housing at the fort. During a recent visit to drop off some pantry and toiletry items, members learned there are 11 children living in the housing units, and decided they wanted to provide them with Christmas gifts. The children ranged in age from eight months to 15 years old. In days, the club members rallied to provide toys, games, puzzles, baked goods, gift cards, hats, and mittens to each child, along with some additional goodies for their parents. The Helena Woman’s Club dropped the gifts off on December 22, in time for the children to have presents under a tree. Club members said it was a very rewarding experience.

GFWC Shorewood Woman’s Club (Wisconsin)

Although still operating remotely, the GFWC Shorewood Woman’s Club (Wisconsin) is continuing efforts to raise funds for charity and be a positive force in the community, including hosting two recent fundraisers. The first project involved selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tote bags featuring artwork by a club member. The sales resulted in a $175 contribution to the USO for their “Call Home” program for the military.

GFWC Affiliate Organization Heifer International was the recipient of the money raised during the club’s second fundraiser. Members raised more than $800 for the nonprofit organization, which works to eradicate poverty and hunger, through their annual coffee sale along with personal contributions. The club also took advantage of a matching grant opportunity online to partially double some of the contributions.

PRESIDENT’S PICK: Heritage League of Lincoln (Nebraska)

The Heritage League of Lincoln’s (Nebraska) The Holiday of Trees is now available. This year, the event was remote. It’s a once-in-a-century chance to see a part of what the club does, and has done for 48 years! Gather a small group of socially distanced and masked individuals and enjoy it together.

Proceeds for the 2019 Holiday of Trees went to the LMTA Music Outreach Program offered through the Lincoln Music Teachers Association. The program offers low-cost music lessons to students who are at risk or in need. A maximum of 50 students receive lessons in piano, organ, percussion, violin, viola, voice, guitar, woodwinds, theory, and composition. Each student must be recommended by an adult who is familiar with the child’s talent and interest.

GFWC Stuttgart Junior Woman’s Club (Arkansas) 

The GFWC Stuttgart Junior Woman’s Club (Arkansas) hosted their annual Baggo Tournament benefitting Restoration of Hope and Domestic Violence Awareness on November 11 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Fifteen teams participated in the event and raised more than $1,600. This year, the club decided to focus on the specific needs of the local women’s shelter, in addition to giving them a $500 cash donation. The club purchased more than $500 in bathroom, kitchen, and household essentials. The remaining money raised was donated to the GFWC Success for Survivors Scholarships, benefitting those impacted by partner violence.

GFWC Lowell Woman’s Club (Indiana) 

The Lowell Woman’s Club (Indiana) was happy to end their holiday season with gifting the Lowell Trustee’s Office Food Bank with nine complete baking baskets.

Volunteer members donated time and purchases to make the baskets available to nine families in need with the help of trustee Alice Dahl.

Club President Sara Sizemore and her mother, member Kathleen Sizemore, accepted all the supplies while being conscious of social distancing and maintaining safety to assemble.

The baskets were assembled with every ingredient to make several types of cookies and included gift cards for eggs and butter, cookie sheets, and recipe cards. Then they were bagged and bowed.

Members of the Lowell Woman’s Club said they have been proud of their club’s actions during the pandemic, including hosting a Zoom meeting at the end of November, keeping up with monthly donations to the Lowell Trustees Food Bank and donating to the Coat Drive held at local Tri-Creek Lumber.

Woman’s Club of Abbeville (Louisiana) 

Pictured are members of the Christmas Committee with Amidie Shaw, Hearts for Hope Director of Volunteers & Community Engagement

The Woman’s Club of Abbeville (Louisiana) partnered with Hearts of Hope for their 2020 Christmas Project. The organization provides free and confidential individual therapy and support for survivors of sexual abuse in seven parishes, including the club’s parish of Vermilion. Members purchased teddy bears and other stuffed animals to be given to children who come into Hearts of Hope offices for interviews concerning sexual abuse cases. Donating these stuffed animals for these children make a difference by bringing smiles during a difficult time.

GFWC Needham Women’s Club (Massachusetts)

Watch this video, which features how the GFWC Needham Women’s Club of GFWC Massachusetts adapted a long-standing holiday house tour tradition for social-distancing guidelines. The club organized a drive-by tour of 34 homes and seven neighborhoods.

The tour began with a parade led by police, then a fire engine with Santa with 20 members and neighbors decked out in cars! Streets were lined with families eagerly anticipating the parade with happy faces behind their masks! People voted for their favorite home or neighborhood to fundraise for homeless and domestic violence shelters, food pantries, veterans, schools, first-responders and more.

Pines Lake Woman’s Club of Wayne (New Jersey) 

Right before Thanksgiving, the Pines Lake Woman’s Club of Wayne (New Jersey) held its annual Turkey Drive in cooperation with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey for families in need. The club worked from 9 am to 2 pm in the Wayne Township municipal parking lot and collected 96 turkeys, 905 bags of groceries, and more than $1,300 in cash equaling a value of $13,740 food for the Community Food Bank of NJ. The Community Food Bank purchased additional food for those in need with the cash donated.

GFWC Dunwoody Woman’s Club (Georgia) 

The GFWC Dunwoody Woman’s Club (Georgia) worked like elves to bring a Merry Christmas to families participating in the “Christmas for Kids” event hosted by the Dunwoody Police. Every family received a meal and gifts.

GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Walpole (Massachusetts) 

Working with the Walpole Council on Aging and Walpole Senior Center, the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Walpole brought Thanksgiving meals to more than 80 seniors! The idea to sponsor a meal began in collaboration with a local restaurant, to provide 40 hot Thanksgiving meals to be collected curbside.

The Walpole Council on Aging received double the number of requests! The club was so thankful to the Conrads Restaurant staff for cooking up 80+ delicious hot meals. The club also worked with a local baker to provide a sweet touch to each meal—individual pies.

Danbury/New Fairfield Woman’s Club (Connecticut) 

The Danbury/New Fairfield Woman’s Club in Connecticut recently participated in a walking/exercise contest. Participants had the option of walking alone or with a group, socially-distanced. Those participating remotely could use a video or exercise website. They were asked to keep track of their mileage or hours of exercise for one week. Club Health and Wellness Chairman Sheila Macauley conducted this contest as a way for club members to have fun and maintain mental and physical health during the pandemic. All GFWC Connecticut clubs were invited to join in on the fun.

Kudos go to all 108 participants for doing all sorts of calorie-burning exercises: walking, Zumba, aerobic classes, tennis, pickle ball, Silver Sneakers classes online, and more. Each activity was converted to “equivalent miles walked” to provide a basis for choosing winning clubs.

PRESIDENT’S PICK: Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove (Florida) 

The Plastics-Free Initiative Coalition, also known as the Florida Plastic Free Coalition, now has a website: www.plasticsfreeinitiative.org. The Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove established the Florida Plastic Free Coalition to minimize the amount of plastics collecting on Florida’s shores. This website is part of an awareness campaign to educate the public, provide information on environmental news, upcoming events, outreach, and committees. The Woman’s Club of Coconut Grove founded this program 2018-2019 to encourage businesses, organizations, and concerned Floridians to:

(1) reduce or ban, where possible, the use of single-use plastics.

(2) organize a grassroots coalition to develop educational programs and materials for Miami elementary and secondary students, as well as other community members.

(3) implement Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants Program as a grassroots business approach to reduce pollution and to promote goodwill with our merchants to use eco-friendly alternatives.

GFWC Seward Woman’s Club (Nebraska) 

GFWC Nebraska’s 17^th annual “Girl’s Only” Quiz Bowl was held at the Seward Civic Center in October, an all-day general knowledge tourney involving 27 school teams from high schools across the state.

The event featured a round robin “practice rotation” in the morning. The morning contest featured three divisions: large, medium, and small school. In the afternoon, a single-elimination tourney was held, with the schools seeded by the three sizes and seeded based on number of winning rounds in the morning, point total, and highest individual score. The two top winning teams each received a trophy with the champion team members each receiving a special individual medal. GFWC Seward Woman’s Club hosted a pizza lunch.

Schools competing in the contest included Bennington, Norris, Grand Island Northwest, Gretna, Seward, and York in the Large School Division. The Medium School Division included Centennial High in Utica, Central City, Kearney Catholic, Milford, and Oakland Craig. The Small School Division included schools from Cross County, Dorchester, Exeter-Milligan, Friend, Hampton, Heartland-Henderson, Howells/Dodge and McCool Junction, with many of the schools sending two teams.

The tourney was coordinated by Jean Kolterman, assisted by members of the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club and areal volunteers. Volunteer readers included Sue Imig, Pat Ohlmann, Dr. Louis Reith, Joanna Treas –all from Seward, Jenni Erhart from Osceola, Kathy Wilcox from Crete, Joe Hornung-Scheer of Norris High, Rebecca Pair from Centennial High in Utica, and Melissa Pohl of Seward High.

Madison Study Club (Minnesota)

Members of the Madison Study Club met at the Lac Qui Parle County Museum for a recent meeting.

As an employee at the museum, club member Rachel Croatt worked with other museum staff to put together an exhibit highlighting women’s suffrage, the 19^th Amendment, the temperance movement, and stories of local women. Rachel gave the program presentation about the history of various women’s clubs in the county. She also had a scavenger hunt to aid club members in exploring the exhibit. Members also each received an “I Will Vote!” pin.

For the 2020-2021 club year, the club’s program committee selected the theme “I am woman, hear me roar!”

Naperville Woman’s Club (Illinois) 

In November, nine energetic NWC members met at Operation Support Our Troops in Lisle, Illinois to pack Christmas stockings for active military worldwide. Stockings were packed to the brim with playing cards, candy, hygiene products, and crackers and other treats. Everyone left with a smile on her face, including Geri Armitage, Anita Danza, Sarah Dore, Judi Gawlik, Jennifer Kashur, Paulette Goodman, Maryanne Greif, Sandy McKeon, and Donna Shaw.

GFWC West Side Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania) 

The GFWC West Side Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania) sponsored a Christmas tree for the Dinner for Kids program as a part of the annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza at Harvey’s Lake. Dinners for Kids, was established to fight childhood hunger and food insecurity throughout the Wyoming Valley of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This Parade of Trees will be on display through December 31 for visitors to vote! The club’s tree is decorated with handmade items—paper snowflakes and salt clay- molded ornaments of food (pizza, turkey legs, watermelon, spaghetti, and gingerbread men), along with pictures of children enjoying a meal.  The tree is topped with a Chef’s Hat and sign depicting that many community helping hands make the program possible.

Seated left to right are club members Deidre Kaminski (GFWC – West Side Education Chairman) and Gina Rushkowski (Club President).

Standing left to right are club members Christina Kinsman, Tina Stella, Becky McCuen, Eileen Gallagher (Club Secretary), Mary Ladish and Rosemary Luksha

Woman’s Club of Fairfax (Virginia) 

Connections to those serving with us is more important than ever during the pandemic. The Woman’s Club of Fairfax has instituted a gal pal program to give members “a buddette” to provide thoughtful encouragement, as well as make sure the club’s Sunshine Committee keeps the cards and notes flowing. The club also organized a “Drive-By Dues” event at a local restaurant, Dolce Vita, the perfect opportunity for ladies to get a thoughtful little gift bag of kindness and to drop off supplies and donations for various upcoming club projects.

In addition, the club presented gift bags to the Fairfax City Police Department in appreciation of their service to the community. Cards were collected for the Salvation Army, hats for Ellie’s Hats, items for stress kits for PRS, Inc, and more. Yvonne Sening was presented the Volunteer of the Year award at the event.

Wake Forest Woman’s Club (North Carolina)

The Wake Forest Woman’s Club (North Carolina) supported local care facilities by making and donating 110 Alzheimer’s Sensory “Shake and Search” Bottles to them.  Led by the club’s Arts and Culture Co-chairs, club members worked together to collect and clean empty Gatorade and Tropicana Bottles and caps, which were then partially filled with dry rice. Various interesting small items were placed inside the bottles. An attractive and original label was created and affixed to each bottle that listed the various items contained inside each bottle, along with a message: “Made for You by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club.”  The caps were securely hot glued onto each bottle, and the bottles were again sanitized and boxed for hand delivery to each facility.

These bottles will provide a fun, sensory activity for the local residents of Alzheimer’s Units at the Brookdale Assisted Living Facility and Hillside Assisted Living Facility, as well as residents of the nearby Murdoch Developmental Center. Caregivers were enthusiastic and appreciative to receive these gifts for their clients.

GFWC Tremonton Women’s Civic League (Utah) 

Under those masks are smiles of joy! The GFWC Tremonton Women’s Civic League (Utah) donated poinsettias for each of the residents in the Our House Assisted Living Complex. Two members of the club are shown presenting the poinsettias to the facility manager. The residents were thrilled to receive a beautiful poinsettia for their room. The club is generating funds for community projects through their poinsettia sale.

GFWC of Holden Beach (North Carolina) 

GFWC of Holden Beach members decided to Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence at the November virtual club meeting. By making as much noise as they could, the club encouraged everyone to do the same thing and post their video on YouTube and Facebook. The members in hats are Past Club and State Presidents who dressed in white for a presentation on the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.

GFWC Progress Club of Las Cruces (New Mexico) 

GFWC Progess Club of Las Cruces (New Mexico) donated cleaning supplies to Veterans who have been able to move out of homeless into apartments. The generosity of club members was awesome, and the opportunity to give back during these times was heartwarming! 

Exeter Area GFWC (New Hampshire) 

The Exeter Area GFWC (New Hampshire) organized an 11-basket snack drop off event to local health care workers, thanks Amy Hammershoy, the club’s newest member. The club had GFWC Logo inscribed thank you notes fixed to the baskets and included GFWC Membership Brochures.

The day of delivery Amy, Carol Waters  and Barbara Fittro helped with deliveries with representatives from Assisted Living Locators. Deliveries were made to care givers at: Clear Choice MD, Rockingham County Nursing Home, NH Convenient MD, Exeter Hospital, The Exeter Center Nursing Home, and Langdon Place of Exeter Assisted Living.

Healthcare workers are having a difficult time right now with the COVID increase and they were so very appreciative of the snack gifts.

Riverside Woman’s Club (California)

On November 9, members of the Riverside Womans’ Club (California) helped Northgate Market distribute 880 meals. As each car drove through the La Sierra Park driveway, members helped bag and load approximately 30 lbs of food into car trunks. Food items were: peanut butter, cereal, spaghetti sauce, noodles, rice, corn, tortillas, tomato sauce, frozen chicken, milk, bread, cheese, eggs, and fresh produce. Riverside Police were onsite to assist with traffic control.

Madison Valley Women’s Club (Montana)

Mary Sedwick, former president of the Madison Valley Women’s Club (MVWC), was named as one of the 2020 Top 100 Volunteers for U.S. towns with a population of less than 5,000. She was selected by the Ennis Chamber of Commerce and her name was submitted to the Small Town America Civic Volunteer Award.

In a statement from Sedwick: “I am honored to have been selected for this award. Recognition should also be given to the many excellent and hardworking volunteers who make the town of Ennis such a wonderful place to live. In these difficult times, volunteerism is desperately needed. Hopefully, this national recognition will encourage others to get involved in the community.”

The Ennis Chamber of Commerce selected Sedwick after receiving nominations from several organizations and individuals from within the Ennis community. Sedwick was first nominated by the Madison Valley Women’s Club Board of Directors. In a statement from Ennis Chamber of Commerce Board President Danica Lewis said: “Within our small community, there are many citizens who provide much needed volunteer hours and generous commitment to the town. Mary’s leadership is undeniable, especially during this year of uncertainty. We are delighted to see one of our own receive this well-deserved national recognition.”

Sedwick will receive a Top 100 Certificate and will be able to select one of Ennis’s nonprofit organizations to receive a free website and educational tools to help facilitate its mission. First to third place selections won cash and prizes to support the retention of public service volunteers.

Norwalk Woman’s Club (California) 

In celebration of America Recycles Day (November 15), Norwalk Woman’s Club Past Presidents Kathy Cook and Linda Kelly presented Ronald McDonald House Orange County with eight pounds of recyclable aluminum pop tabs, plus 90 beautiful hand-knit beanie caps and blankets, and a monetary donation. To date, the Ronald McDonald House has received more than $77,000 toward operating costs from groups such as women’s clubs, scouts, and other non-profits who save and donate pop tabs.

GFWC Walsenburg Woman’s Club (Colorado) 

On November 9, GFWC Walsenburg Woman’s Club (Colorado) members were Advocates for Children. The club collected 140 lbs of food items for a Thanksgiving dinner: turkey and all the trimmings, plus additional pantry food supplies for a single dad with four children under the age of five! Jennifer Sanchez McDonald of Huerfano-Las Animas Counties Early Childhood Advisory Council (HULA) delivered the brimming full baskets to the family. In appreciation, HULA gave each clubwoman an adorable stuffed giraffe for “Sticking Out Our Necks for Children!” The club also received the gift of a new member as a result of the project, Jennifer!

GFWC du Midi Woman’s Club (Alabama) 

GFWC du Midi Woman’s Club (Alabama) volunteers aided the Veteran’s Memorial Foundation as hosts at the unveiling of the Gold Star Families Monument event at the end of October. GFWC du Midi contributed thousands of dollars for the building of this now historical memorial and is acknowledged with an inscription in marble. For a video of the tribute, visit www.hmcvm.org.

In November, 500 Christmas wreaths, ribbons and name cards were placed on the graves of veterans during the club’s annual tribute to Veterans at the Huntsville Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The club remembered its three retired U.S. Military Club Members and the 37 spouses of members on November 11, who have served, with a postcard made by one of our three Civic Engagement and Outreach Chairmen. The club also keeps a “Book of Honor,” an up-to-date listing of club members, military spouses, and member’s children who are serving or have served in the U.S. Military.

The Haddon Fortnightly (New Jersey) 

The Haddon Fortnightly (New Jersey) has connected with programs in other New Jersey counties to continue serving the community during the pandemic. The club has a long history of supporting a local domestic violent shelter and other programs for mothers and children.

The club donated new hardcover storybooks to be used at an intake center as incentives for the children to enjoy after completing their appointments. Some members have also made donations to a domestic violence prevention program in a second county for a 50/50 raffle to raise funds for survivors’ services.

GFWC Belpre Woman’s Club (Ohio) 

Some communities that have operational domestic violence shelters displayed shirts of different colors on clotheslines to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. GFWC Belpre Woman’s Club created their own “Clothesline of Awareness” project to display at a local business.

The colors had different meanings: white represented those who lost their lives from domestic violence; yellow or beige those who have been assaulted; red, pink, or orange survivors of sexual violence; blue and green survivors of incest and childhood abuse; and, purple or lavender those who have been attacked because of their gender identity. Club members followed social distancing guidelines while working on the project.

Club President Brenda Dennis is holding the poster.

Service Woman’s Club (Florida) 

The GFWC sisters of Service Woman’s Club, Inc. in Tallahassee, Florida hosted a donation collection drive in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month for the local violence shelter, The Refuge House for Women and Children. The club collected cosmetics, toiletries, clothes, children’s items, and numerous other requested items that the Refuge House needs more of since their client base has increased because of COVID-19.

On Facebook, the club and its members shared daily statistics and facts pertaining to domestic violence. On Domestic Violence Awareness Day, October 22, 2018 the Club President, Vanessa J. Moore, who is a survivor of domestic violence held a “Survivor Speaks” Zoom/Facebook Live event to reach out to others who may be in an abusive situation and feel hopeless. The purpose was to raise awareness about the resources that are available to women, men, and children who need help.

Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach (Delaware) 

The Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach recently completed their drive for items for stockings for soldiers. Stockings for Soldiers–Delaware, Inc. has been making stockings for troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2004 and the Village Improvement Association has been a participant every year. Seven shopping carts of items were delivered to the headquarters in Wilmington. Bonnie Burslem, Susie Dominguez, and Mary Ann Warner chaired this event. Pictured in the photo on collection day are L to R:  Karen Dettwyler, Mary Beth Dockety, and Carol Kless.

Fairmont Woman’s Club (Nebraska) 

As a member of the Fairmont Woman’s Club of Nebraska, Donna Lefler distributed almost 60 blue and silver pinwheels to local businesses in Fairmont, Nebraska.  The businesses displayed these pinwheels in their windows to help raise awareness for Advocates for Children Week.

Morris Woman’s Club (Illinois) 

Pictured: Nilsa Sochan and Michelle Mitchell.

To raise awareness about domestic violence, members of the Morris Woman’s Club (Illinois) requested funds from the Justice Assistance Board to purchase 200 electronic candles and batteries. A note was attached, with purple ribbon, asking recipients to place the lit candles in their windows on October 22. The candles, along with purple ribbons to wear, were handed out during a shoppers’ night out during the weekend before.

Donations received from shoppers were given to Groundwork, a division of Guardian Angels, which assists survivors of domestic violence in a variety of ways. Yellow t-shirts, with messages about domestic violence painted on them (such as “Love Shouldn’t Hurt”), were hung on a clothesline between trees on the courthouse lawn every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for seven days.

Miami Woman’s Club (Florida) 

The Miami Woman’s Club made a special presentation to domestic violence and human trafficking survivors at Project Phoenix, a 16-bed residence which provides safety and recovery for survivors of human trafficking in Miami. Prior to Project Phoenix’s opening, approximately 30 beds were available statewide!

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, who brought this project to the club’s attention was instrumental in creating this save haven. She has made strengthening laws against human traffickers her top legislative priority. The Miami Womans Club was proud to be able to donate $10,000 to the Camillus House for Project Phoenix.

GFWC Woman’s Club of West Deptford (New Jersey) 

The GFWC Woman’s Club of West Deptford (New Jersey) has worked closely with Services to Empower the Rights of Victims (SERV), a local organization to support survivors of domestic violence.

When SERV requested personal supportive letters for survivors, club members eagerly participated. In a few weeks the club collected more than 50 “Dear Beautiful” letters. Some were written on purchased cards but many were written on lovely, handmade cards. The letters encouraged the survivors and told them how brave they are to seek help. The workers at SERV were very appreciative of the club’s efforts.

In addition to the cards, the club helps SERV in other ways. One club member is a trained domestic and sexual violence volunteer. Due to COVID-19, local support for survivors is currently online and by phone, making supportive care much more difficult. Club members are happy to donate whatever SERV needs for its clients, and various items will be collected throughout the year.

Oregon City Woman’s Club (Oregon) 

The Oregon City Woman’s Club celebrated Child Advocacy Week by collecting 192 pairs of colorful gripper socks. These socks were donated to Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon to lift up the spirts of the children and let them know they are loved!

GFWC Texas Alamo District 

For Advocates for Children Week, GFWC Texas Alamo District President Novella Byrd challenged clubs and the Alamo District Executive Committee to donate backpacks to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of South Texas. Children will often be removed from their homes carrying their belongings in a paper sack or plastic garbage bags;  the backpacks are a convenient alternative for these children. Joni Garcia, Executive Director of CASA South Texas, was the guest speaker for the meeting. Joni presented information regarding volunteering for CASA. All clubs were given information to report the activity as part of the Juniors’ Challenge Project: “To Stick Out Your Neck for Children.” Alamo District Clubwomen donated 41 backpacks to CASA South Texas.

GFWC Paradise Valley Junior Woman’s Club (Arizona)

The GFWC Paradise Valley Junior Woman’s Club celebrated Advocates for Children Week by completing two projects.

Go With The Flow Period Pack Bags

Go With The Flow is an organization that provides menstrual hygiene products to schools across Arizona to distribute to girls whose families cannot afford to purchase them. Because of budget limitations, schools often do not have an adequate supply of feminine hygiene products each year. Girls are forced to make do with whatever they can find, many times risking the chance of infections. The GFWC Paradise Valley Junior Woman’s Club sewed 307 period pack bags and donated them to Demetra Presley, Executive Director of Go With The Flow. More than 60 yards of material was used to make the bags!

Arizona Helping Hands Duffle Bag Project

Arizona Helping Hands is the largest provider of essential needs for children in foster care in Arizona. Duffle bags, suitcases, and backpacks for children to carry their possessions are needed each year The GFWC Paradise Valley Junior Woman’s Club allocated purchased duffle bags and suitcases and donated items. On October 27, 2020 the club delivered 21 duffle bags, two suitcases, and five backpacks to Arizona Helping Hands. The retail value of the donation was more than $900.

Junior Women’s Club of Lake Murray (South Carolina) 

The Junior Women’s Club of Lake Murray created a social media campaign in support of Advocates for Children Week. This two part virtual campaign was designed to engage and inform the community of the benefits of art therapy for children in a safe, socially-distanced way. A youth coloring contest was announced on the club’s Facebook page and ran October 11-24. There was a coloring page for ages 6 and under and ages 7-12, both illustrating a theme of kindness. Winners were announced October 26 and the winning artwork was displayed at the Starbucks in Lexington.

McAlester Fortnightly Club (Oklahoma) 

For Advocates for Children Week, members of the McAlester Fortnightly Club created and sewed twelve hospital gowns for children having surgery with Operation Smile. The club also created four additional therapy vests with weighted pockets for Easter Seals of North Texas. This is the second time the club has supported these programs.

Shown in photo taken by James Sellmeyer, GFWC Booster: Bottom row, left to right; Megan Ciolli, Club President; Linda Navratil, Cornerstone Director; Vicky Bolte, Fortnightly Vice President; Back row: Nancy Gates, Fortnightly Treasurer; Angie Sellmeyer, Fortnightly Secretary; Cynthia Henrichs

GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club (Wisconsin) 

GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club assembled 300 art kits for children. There were various types of art kits: teen journals, coloring, masks, collages, bead making, shell painting, garland making, and much more. On October 26, the kits were distributed to both the Oneida County Social Services Department and Lily’s House, part of Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Inc. These art kits will be used for children during home visits and during long wait times at the office. The kits will also be available for children who seek shelter with their families at Lily’s House in Forest, Oneida, and Vilas Counties.

San Diego Woman’s Club (California) 

For the second time, San Diego Woman’s Club packed welcome bags for Ronald McDonald House San Diego. The bags included 18 items that had been requested: toddler-size blankets, stuffed animals, decks of playing cards, card games, journals, coloring and activity books, puzzles, masks, and various other items.

GFWC Ossoli Circle (Tennessee)

Ossoli Circle ladies prepared a weeks’ worth of casseroles  for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Knoxville, TN. Fourteen casseroles (seven breakfast and seven dinner) were delivered to Ronald McDonald House to observe Child Advocacy Week.

North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club (South Carolina) 

The City of North Myrtle Beach issued a proclamation for this week, Advocates for Children Week.

The North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club advocates for children by supporting Tools for Schools, Children’s Recovery Center, the Autism Foundation, the USO United Through Reading Program, and more. Each year, GFWC and its clubs in Horry County stand with parents, grandparents, educators, community leaders, and others to raise awareness about issues directly impacting children.

GFWC Papillion Junior Woman’s Club (Nebraska) 

Michelle Y. Andahl, Sarpy County Election Commissioner 

The GFWC Papillion Junior Woman’s Club featured a Sarpy County Election Commissioner as their October speaker. The Commissioner’s presentation was informative and addressed many concerns, including those that Nebraska voters have had about voting by mail. She assured everyone that every signature on the ballot request form is verified against the signature on the registration form in the database. If the signatures do not match, the voter is asked to come into the office and sign the vote by mail request again. Voter lists are kept up-to-date on a daily basis by checking the obituaries in the local newspapers. The Nebraska Secretary of State sends the election offices around the state the list of the death certificates that have been filed. She stressed that that ballots be mailed at least a week ahead of Election Day because of state deadlines. Sarpy County also has seven official ballot drop boxes.

GFWC Valamont Woman’s Club (Tennessee)

GFWC Valamont Woman’s Club celebrated World Food Day by inviting friends, neighbors, and clubwomen to donate items to stock the Salvation Army‘s food pantry. World Food Day is an annual, worldwide celebration founded by the United Nations to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity.

Woman’s Club of Vista (California) 

First Prize South Family (left) and Second Prize Pelley Family (right)

The Woman’s Club of Vista held its 12^th Fall Garden Fest at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens in Vista, CA. With 450 people in attendance, implementing local social distancing guidelines, it was a successful event during challenging times. As tradition, the event included a scarecrow contest; this time, participants (33) just had to construct their scarecrows at home. First prize went to the South Family for their tall scarecrow depicting San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatίs, Jr. reaching for a fly ball. The Souths chose a family membership to Alta Vista Botanical Gardens for their prize.

This year’s Scarecrow Contest was sponsored by businesses, families, and individuals who donated to the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens. Ads for these sponsors will be posted on the scarecrows all year. Membership in the Gardens has doubled during the last seven months; local families are appreciating the wide-open views, plants, art, and water features.

Lexington Woman’s Club (South Carolina)

The Town of Lexington voted to fly “women’s vote” flags designed by the Lexington Woman’s Club (South Carolina) until the November 2020 General Election. This decision by town council extends the celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of the 19^th Amendment on August 26 through November. The club is grateful that the town council is recognizing the 100th birthday of women’s right to vote for an extended period of time.