Education Community Service

Education Community Service Program

Summer Cooking and Sewing Classes

GFWC Glendale Woman’s Club (AZ) developed and offered cooking and sewing classes four days a week during the summer. There were 17 cooking students and 15 sewing students including boys and girls. Those in cooking learned about table manners, kitchen cleanliness, and nutrition, in addition to cooking, and received a children’s cookbook. Students in sewing made a tote bag, personal pillowcase, and mug rug, and received an owl pincushion made by members and a tape measure.

Book Fairy Book Collection

GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club (FL) continued their Book Fairy project by collecting 1,300 books for distribution in association with the Florida Future Educators of America at the high school. New distribution points included the Florida Dream Center, FEAST food pantry, and an after-school tutoring program. Their partnership with Habitat for Humanity Pinellas continued and children’s books were placed in new Habitat homes. A $200 GFWC Literacy Grant was used to purchase books for Habitat families.

Library Established

Woodbine Woman’s Club (GA) worked with the city for three years to establish a library. Members obtained an old fire station and HVAC system. They worked on the building with Habitat for Humanity and the high school Skills USA team. The school district committed to $10,000 a year for operating costs. Club members applied for grants to make the building ADA compatible and partnered with the library and Lions Club to raise $7,000 for library renovations.

Run For the Roses

GFWC Semper Fidelis Club (ME) held a “Run for the Roses” Kentucky Derby party that raised $2,000 in proceeds to support an expansion of the town library. Much went into event planning, including printing and selling tickets, hanging posters, and preparing food with a Kentucky Derby theme. Members found old children’s rocking chairs and decorated each to match a book that it was paired with for auction. Attendees dressed in true Kentucky Derby style.

Project Literacy for Little Ones

GFWC Woman’s Club of Laurel, Inc. (MD) established project “Literacy for Little Ones” to promote pre-literacy skills in the home and instill a love of books in young children. The club donated 18 sets of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Who Do You See and found accompanying stuffed bears. These were given to children attending a parent-child enrichment group coordinated by the library’s Infant and Toddler Program. Laminated cards provided parent tips for reading to children.

Early Literacy Emphasis

As part of Smart Start’s Park-Time Reading Campaign, GFWC South Brunswick Islands (NC) dedicated a Little Free Library at a beach park and maintained a steady book supply. To aid in maintenance, the club received a $1,000 community grant from the electric membership corporation. They partnered with “Raising a Reader” and connected with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Ninety-six Dr. Seuss books, 57 toddler board books, and 32 Christmas books were purchased from Dollar General.

Read for the Record

GFWC clubs including Arlington Woman’s Club, Evening Membership Department of Arlington Woman’s Club, Junior Woman’s Club of Arlington, and GFWC Arlington Juniorettes (NJ) joined the nationwide program “Read for the Record.” Fifty copies of Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed A Neighborhood were ordered with 40 in English and 10 in Spanish. Readers read to all district kindergarten classes and charter schools, reaching 550 students in 22 classes. Two books and follow-up activity books, one in English and one in Spanish, were given to each classroom.

Books and More for Children in Need

New Century Club of West Chester (PA) gave toddlers their own book and something more to help them feel secure in uncertain situations. The club purchased age-appropriate books, soft-stuffed animals, colorful warm fleece, and small canvas bags. Members made “taggie blankets” and drew pictures on the bags. Working with a library’s tween and teen program, bags were assembled and distributed to community organizations serving women and children who are homeless or have experienced domestic violence.

In Memory of Pearl S. Buck

GFWC Woman’s Club of Elkins (WV) keeps the memory of Pearl S. Buck alive through their Pearl S. Buck Book Club. Members meet six times a year to discuss books written by or about this author. Since the books are no longer in print, they were ordered online, allowing ample time for reading between meetings. After review, the books are donated to local libraries. Nine members traveled to visit the Pearl Buck International Foundation home headquarters.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

GFWC Amery Woman’s Club (WI) held a Dr. Seuss Birthday party. Seuss’ book, THE SNEETCHES, about diversity and treating everyone the same, was used in second grade classes. Volunteers read the story, engaged children with moustaches and play money manipulatives, and helped students buy a star. Classrooms selected follow-up activities and teachers received the book and suggested support activities. Students were given a personal book, a plush star for use during reading, and a birthday bag of treats.