GFWC Lawrence Classics Club

The GFWC Lawrence Classics Club (Kansas) has 19 members. It’s an incredible mixture: one charter member has been involved since 1997; one member has been part of GFWC since 1960; there are a mother and daughter pair who are 2^nd and 3^rd generation clubwomen; four members are Boosters; and their youngest member only graduated from college last year. This assorted group shares the same values about volunteerism and puts them into action.

Co-Presidents Rita Brecheisen and Susan Andersen’s theme and mission for their two-year administration is “It Takes All of Us to Make a Difference”. Their main goals have been membership recruitment and retention. Their largest growth has been with Boosters in the last year who have been engaged in several of their activities. While the membership numbers are small compared to other clubs, that doesn’t stop this “mighty group of ladies” from acting in a big way.

One of their fundraisers is Teri Lynn Nut Fundraising, which allows them to purchase 16-24 new backpacks at the beginning of each school year to give boys at the O’Connell Youth Ranch in Lawrence, Kansas. The project promotes adolescent literacy and peer equivalence to boys who are placed in group homes while they are going through life transitions due to the court system.

Another popular project the club participates in is designing, crafting, and donating a tree to the Children’s Shelter Annual Festival of Trees auction and viewing event. For the club, this project has promoted collaboration, ingenuity, and the spirit of the season. It also encourages appreciation for their Boosters who help construct and set-up the tree, and provide transportation. Last year the club celebrated its 20^th anniversary in conjunction with the tree viewing!

Learn more about the Lawrence Classics Club by visiting their Facebook page. To find a GFWC club in your area, click here.