Volunteers in Action: GFWC Circleville Junior Women’s Club (Ohio), GFWC Women’s Club of Farmingdale (New York), GFWC West Side Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)
January 7, 2020
GFWC Circleville Junior Women’s Club (Ohio) invited the community to remember and honor the veterans and military men and women on Veterans Day weekend. The club members placed tables in eight different locations to bring awareness to the military tribute that began over thirty-five years ago. A single table is set in the dining halls of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force as a reminder to honor those who lost their lives on the battlefield. The club has brought this awareness to Veterans Day weekend to celebrate the many men and women that have served and are serving to protect us and our families. Restaurants, libraries, clubs, and centers promoted their displays with education and remembrance cards. The club has also donated the book America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven to the PC Library to help educate families and children on the depth of sacrifice that members of the military give to defend freedom. Whether it is called Missing Man’s Table, Fallen Comrade Table, or America’s White Table, these symbols were shared and explained for all to understand.
Pictured – Members of the club with a White Table” set up.
GFWC Women’s Club of Farmingdale (New York) Co-Presidents, Cheryl Parisi and Lorraine Stanton, together with Lynn Connolly, club treasurer, have spearheaded a new philanthropic undertaking. Monthly Ambassador Lunches are being held locally as mini-fundraisers for a program entitled “Speak Up for the Poor.” Speak Up runs a Girls Education Program which sponsors girls in poverty to stay in school and on the path to success. Their long-term goal is to help thousands of girls in poverty finish their education, get professional training, and then return to serve their community and country as servants to the poor from girls in poverty to themselves being advocates for the poor. The September and October ambassador fundraisers were chaired by Lynn Connolly and Edie Allen, respectively, at the Nutty Irishman. These mini-fundraiser lunches will continue throughout the club year.
Members of GFWC West Side Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania) have been in sharing in the volunteer spirit. GFWC West Side Woman’s Club have donated and served in many community events throughout the year. Here’s a look at what GFWC West Side Woman’s Club has been up to:
1. GFWC West Side Woman’s Club recently participated in the Ruth’s Place 12th Annual Walk for Hope. By participating, club women showed their solidarity with women experiencing homelessness in Luzerne County. This event featured a fair and a 2-mile walk that educated people about the reality of homelessness in Wilkes-Barre. Ruth’s Place is a program of Volunteers at America, a national nonprofit spiritually-based organization providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and community involvement. Locally, in addition to Ruth’s Place, the organization also provides a variety of services such as pregnancy counseling, shelter for homeless women, child care, and elderly transportation.
Pictured at the event are Amanda Zellner, VOA Government Relations Director; Deidre Miller Kaminski – Second Vice President, GFWC of Luzerne County; Becky McCuen, GFWC West Side; Carla Finn,GFWC West Side; and Jodina Hicks, Executive Director, Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania.
2. GFWC West Side Woman’s Club spent an evening recently wrapping presents for Valley Santa. This is the club’s second year helping Valley Santa.
Pictured are Club members Christina Kinsman, Mary Ann Augaitis, Aileen Whalen, Eileen Gallagher, Diane Sickler, Irene, Mackiewicz Mary Ladish, Karen French,Tara Rhodes, Diane Fort, Maggie Wallowak, Melissa Perry, Jean Pieczynski, Ruth Visoky, Carol Bubblo and Club President Gina Rushkowski.
3. GFWC West Side Woman’s Club sponsored a tree at the Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza at Harvey’s Lake. The Club is supported Victims Resource Center in Wilkes-Barre with proceeds from the vote. The theme of the tree is “Women in Action – Volunteering!”
Pictured decorating the tree are GFWC – West Side Club Members: Left to right Donna Comitz, Tina Stella, Aileen Whalen, – Marianne Furtak, (on ladder) Deidra Kaminski, Eileen Gallager and Betty Bauman
4. GFWC West Side Woman’s Club passed put toy soldiers as a reminder to keep our soldiers in our prayers. They expressed their gratitude to our Men and Women in the military who dedicate their lives in protecting this great nation. May we remember them in our thoughts and prayers. With respect and honor we thank you for your service!
Pictured: PA GFWC Second Vice President Heide Cebrick, President GFWC West Side, Regina Rushkowski
5. GFWC West Side Woman’s Club donated a variety of holiday gifts to a homeless family at the Catherine McAuley Center, to help them enjoy the Holidays!
Pictured are: Donna Comitz, Christine Kinsman, Cathy Scoda ,Carol Bubblo, Peggy Hanlon, Becky McCuen, Karen French, Home Life Chairman, Gina Rushkowski – Club President, Mary Ladish, Carol Grogan, MaryAnn Augaitis, Ruth Visoky and Irene Mackiewicz. Not pictured: Margaret Jackson, Diane Fort, Melissa Parry, Pat Saracino, Tina Stella, Carol Crolick, Ginny Zdanowicz, and Shelley Russin
6. GFWC West Side Woman’s Club served dinner at the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen.
Pictured Is Gina Rushkowski – Club President, Karen French – Home Life Chairman, Marge Gushka, Alice Sawchak, Terri Ross, Patty Bernoski, Ginny Zdanowicz and Irene Mackiewicz
3 responses to “Volunteers in Action: GFWC Circleville Junior Women’s Club (Ohio), GFWC Women’s Club of Farmingdale (New York), GFWC West Side Woman’s Club (Pennsylvania)”
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Featured Member
Bonnie Peat
For more than three decades Bonnie Peat worked in various leadership positions in the aerospace field and was a staunch promoter of women in the workforce. After retiring in 2019, she joined the GFWC Woman’s Club of Cypress in California.
Success For Survivors Scholarship
Each year, GFWC awards scholarships to help intimate partner abuse survivors obtain a post-secondary education that offers a chance to reshape their future by securing employment and gaining personal independence.
Featured Club
Junior Woman's Club of State College
When Robbin Zirkle moved back to the area after grad school, she addressed the challenge many people face as adults—making new friends— by joining the Junior Woman’s Club of State College (Pennsylvania). GFWC provided her a place to connect with like-minded women who shared her passion for community service.
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