Volunteers in Action: GFWC Arizona Central District and GFWC Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills

December 7, 2021

GFWC Arizona Central District 

Members of GFWC Arizona Central District dedicated their done-in-a-day project to support Control Alt Delete, a nonprofit organization that helps people escape domestic violence by providing short-term assistance such as cab rides, bus passes, gas cards, temporary lodging, moving and storage, and other basic immediate needs. During their Fall Conference, 13 clubs met to hear from Control Alt Delete’s founder Laura Pahules and learn about the importance of helping survivors.

GFWC Arizona Treasurer Debbie Grieder said clubwomen contributed $570 in monetary donations, as well as put together bins of basic immediate needs valued at $1,314. These bins included toiletries, snacks, and other items.

“We always have an enormous response to our done-in-a-day project,” Debbie said.

She added after Laura’s presentation at the conference, members made additional donations to Control Alt Delete and expressed their appreciation for everything the organization does for survivors of domestic violence.

“It was a great presentation and I think a lot of the clubs in the District will go forward and continuing supporting Control Alt Delete,” Debbie said. “…We feel they have such a great impact on the community. They do great things.”

Along with this project, attendees at the conference ended the day by making affirmation cards for Free Arts of Arizona, an organization that provides arts programs for children and young adults with special learning needs.

 

GFWC Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills 

Throughout October, clubwomen with the GFWC Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills (New Jersey) did their part to keep plastic from polluting the environment by recycling and upcycling their plastic bottles and bags. Janet Reilly, the club’s Environment Chairman, said the 16 participating members recycled 1,281 plastic bottles and 86 plastic bags and were able to find new uses for 39 additional bags.

Janet said she has always been passionate about recycling and taking care of the environment, and was glad that the club was able to participate in this recycling challenge.

“I am concerned about all of the things that end up in our landfills or the ocean,” she said. “… I’m always trying to encourage people not to drink out plastic bottles.”

Janet believes that by bringing attention to just how many plastic bags and bottles people use in a month, it will encourage others to start using less plastic on a daily basis. She said she hopes these small changes will inspire clubwomen and others in the community to begin to take even bigger steps toward taking care of the planet.

“I think we have to start small,” she said. “Making people aware of what everyone has used strikes home more than just talking about recycling.”