Volunteers in Action: GFWC Ohio Junior Cyberlinks Club and GFWC Women’s Club of Farmingdale

January 4, 2022

GFWC Ohio Junior Cyberlinks Club 

On Saturday, December 11, members of GFWC Ohio Junior Cyberlinks Club (Ohio), in partnership with the Art Outreach Gallery, presented a Gingerbread House Workshop for area children at an area mall. Club Advisor Esther Gartland said members received a grant from two local businesses that enabled them to donate gingerbread house kits for the local children, some of whom were from military families. She added the club has offered this event in conjunction with the Art Outreach Gallery for the past several years.

During the workshop, members helped instruct the children with hands-on involvement while maintaining various COVID-19 safety protocols.

Esther said the participants were provided with additional candies and decorative edibles to add to their wonderful creations and that many parents, grandparents, and/or guardians stayed to observe or participate in the holiday event.

“Getting the kids’ creative juices flowing in a hands-on way is an important opportunity,” she said. “…It was a real tactile experience for them to work with the frosting and gingerbread pieces. This was a nice way for them to express their creative side.”

The children were all able to take their creations home to enjoy throughout the holidays, and each participant also received an individually wrapped holiday cookie and beverage.

 

 

GFWC Women’s Club of Farmingdale 

The GFWC Women’s Club of Farmingdale (New York) continued its annual tradition to put a smile on the faces of children during the holiday season. Welfare Chairman Rosemary Emigholz and club members Tina Diamond, Anna Ievolo, Vicky Impollonia, Maria Ortolani, Cheryl Parisi, and Lorraine Stanton donated and delivered 39 tote bags filled with stuffed animals, blankets, books, and assorted toys and toiletries to Madonna Heights, a 24-hour care facility that addresses the physical, emotional, and social needs unique to women and girls.

Publicity Chairman Maria Ortolani said the club has been working with this facility since 2012 in a variety of ways, including donating handbags filled with toiletries to women at the center for Mother’s Day and participating in this Christmas donation program for the children in December.

For the Christmas donation program, Maria said clubwomen will donate at least a blanket, stuffed animal, and a book, and may provide other items if they choose.

“The children are always in transition, so it’s nice for them to have these three items with them wherever they go and help them feel safe,” she said.

Maria added the members are always excited to participate in this project and give back to the mothers and children at the facility.

“This has been very rewarding for the members to know the impact this project makes,” she said. “…It gives the mothers support that they need during a very challenging time in their lives.”

This year, Club President Tina Diamond also donated several boxes and plastic bags filled with dozens of insulated lunch bags and stuffed animals from a very generous “Santa” friend.