Volunteers in Action: GFWC Northboro Junior Woman’s Club and GFWC West Side Women’s Club

June 7, 2022

GFWC Northboro Junior Woman’s Club 

Clubwomen gave out free reusable shopping bags to customers at a local Stop & Shop in recognition of Earth Day.

The GFWC Northboro Junior Woman’s Club (Massachusetts) celebrated Earth Day this year by giving back to their community. Working in conjunction with Stop & Shop, members set up a table at each entrance of one of the chain’s locations and greeted customers. Club member Mary Anne Bryant explained clubwomen gave out reusable shopping bags to people who didn’t have one, and anyone else who wanted one, and a $5 Stop & Shop gift card to everyone who already had their own reusable shopping bag to thank them for “being green.”

“The store was very excited about working with us because they are very environmentally friendly,” she said. “It was a very successful event.”

In total, Mary Anne said the club gave out more than 100 bags and $125 in gift cards. She added the bags featured a design to recognize Earth Day and promote recycling.

Nancy Coughlin, Environment Committee Co-Chair, said she was happy with the response to the project from both club and community members.

“There was much enthusiasm and kind words from shoppers as they received their gift cards and bags. Many folks are truly committed to helping our planet,” she said.

Mary Anne said the club wanted to organize this project to bring awareness to how much plastic waste people produce and to encourage others to limit how much single-use plastic they are throwing out.

“We have to look out for the Earth for generations to come,” she said.

 

GFWC West Side Women’s Club 

GFWC West Side Women’s Club members donated funds to Northeast Sight Services to support their mission of helping blind and visually impaired individuals.

Since 2015, members of GFWC West Side Women’s Club (Pennsylvania) have dedicated their time, talents, and money to Northeast Sight Services (NESS). Club member Ginny Zdanowicz, who serves as the liaison between the club and NESS, said the clubwomen all love being able to help the clients and have learned so much from them throughout the years.

This nonprofit organization helps blind and visually impaired individuals achieve the best possible quality of life by providing services and preventing vision loss through education and early detection for people of all ages.

The club originally began working with NESS when members reached out about donating old eyeglasses, but soon the project expanded to assisting with lunches, volunteering at Bingo events, preparing thousands of mailings, helping at an annual golf tournament fundraiser and other special events, and more.

“It took off like you wouldn’t believe,” Ginny said. “We’re kind of like a family now.”

Members recently donated several hundred dollars to the organization, and they continue to volunteer in other ways as often as possible.

“NESS needs the help and they do so much for people,” Ginny said. “This is a project that everyone can benefit from.”