Volunteers in Action: GFWC Women’s Club of South County and GFWC Woman’s Club of Denville Rockaway

May 10, 2022

GFWC Women’s Club of South County 

During their March meeting, the GFWC Women’s Club of South County (Rhode Island) celebrated 14 Grow Hope Grant recipients, honoring their work to address homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, and domestic violence. Club President Maria Hoey said the club was able to give away $29,750 in grants to local nonprofit organizations through the Grow Hope Grant program, which was started about 20 years ago as a club community giving project and has since grown into what it is today.

Maria explained the funds for the grant program are raised through the club’s annual Book and Author Luncheon, during which the club invites several authors to mingle with and give a presentation to guests. Book signings and sales, raffles, and more also take place during this exciting community event, which generally raises about $30,000 each year.

Local organizations can apply to be a Grow Hope Grant recipient, and each application is reviewed by club committee members who meet with the applicants to learn more about the work they do to make a positive impact for the community. Maria said the club is always excited about the grant program because they are able to help area residents through the organizations that do great work every day.

“We don’t raise a ton, but we want to spread the funds out as much as possible and still have an impact,” Maria said. “We are trying to help people who need it in a small way.”

 

GFWC Woman’s Club of Denville Rockaway 

Several members from the GFWC Woman’s Club of Denville Rockaway (New Jersey) joined their friends and neighbors to participate in the town’s annual Rid Litter Day, organized each year for Earth Day on April 22. The town clean-up event is sponsored by P.R.I.D.E, or Planned Recommendations Improving Denville’s Environment. This partnership consists of 20 local organizations and nonprofits and was started in 1967 with the goal of improving the community. This year, nearly 130 area residents participated in the environment-focused event.

President-elect Barbara McCloskey said the club has been a part of Rid Litter Day for 20 years.

“Recycling and conservation efforts have always been important to us,” she said.

Barbara explained P.R.I.D.E meets four to five times a year to share information about what projects each organization is working on and how they can support each other.

“We feel a camaraderie to work together and help make the community better,” she said. “This is a wonderful place to live.”