GFWC
GREATER WEST PALM BEACH
WOMEN'S CLUB
2017
YEARBOOK
P.O. Box 16311 * West Palm Beach * Florida * 33416
MEMBER GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...........................................................................................................................1
Purpose................................................................................................................................1
A Collect For Club Women...................................................................................................2
Club Awards.........................................................................................................................3
Past Presidents....................................................................................................................4
Club Woman of the Year Award...........................................................................................5
Rookie of the YearAward.....................................................................................................6
History of Our Club.........................................................................................................7-23
Bylaws..........................................................................................................................24-29
Standing Rules...................................................................................................................30
Programs............................................................................................................................31
Club Officers and Department Chairmen...........................................................................32
Department Descriptions....................................................................................................33
Guidelines for Keeping Club Hours....................................................................................34
FFWC Headquarters..........................................................................................................35
FFWC and GFWC MeetingDates......................................................................................36
FFWC Executive Committee..............................................................................................37
FFWC Chairmen and Committees...............................................................................37-40
District 10 Clubs...........................................................................................................41-44
Chaplain’s Corner...............................................................................................................45
Capsule History of GFWC..................................................................................................46
Federation Facts.................................................................................................................47
Helpful Information on Frequently Used Motions...............................................................48
Parliamentary Procedures Definitions..........................................................................49-50
Meet OurMembers.......................................................................................................51-59
Forms...........................................................................................................................60-62
Project Summary Form.............................................................................................61
Motion Request Form................................................................................................62
1
GFWC GREATER WEST PALM BEACH WOMEN'S CLUB
Organized 1927
Federated 1927
Incorporated 1975
Name Change 1998
CLUB COLORS: Red, Yellow, and Green
CLUB FLOWER: Hibiscus
MEETINGS
GENERAL - 6:30 P.M. 4th Monday of each month
Abundent Life Church of God
4968 Belvedere Rd.
Haverhill, FL 33415
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 16311, West Palm Beach, Florida 33416
WEBSITE
www.gfwc-wpbwomensclub.org
PURPOSE The purpose of this club shall be to give aid to worthyobjectives, to promote civic
municipal improvements, to train and educate members forleadership in the community,
and for development of young women for future club work.
http://www.gfwc-wpbwomensclub.org/
2
A COLLECT FOR CLUB WOMEN
Keep us, oh God, from pettiness;
Let us be large in thought, in work, in deed.
Let us be done with fault-finding and leave offself-seeking.
May we put away all pretense and meet each other face toface,
Without self-pity and without prejudice,
May we never be hasty in judgement and always generous.
Let us take time for all things;
Make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses,
Straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things that createdifferences,
That in the big things of life we are at one.
Any may we strive to touch and to know
The great, common human heart of us all.
And, oh Lord God, let us forget not to be kind!
Mary Stewart, 1941
The collect was written as a personal prayer by Mary Stewart in1904. She was
just out of college and was entering her first job as a highschool principal.
The first printing was in an obscure paragraph in Delineatormagazine. A local
printer in Longmount, Colorado later made copies for a localfederated club. Mary Stewart
wrote the Collect while in Longmount.
The first organization to use the Collect or to print it in itsyearbook was the
General Federation of Women’s Clubs. It has since been reprintedin many forms, in
many lands. The Collect has also been set to music.
Mary Stewart said she offered the prayer for publication as aclub woman’s Collect
because she felt “women working together for large ends wassomething new.”
The Collect was not intended to be a creed. Every line of it isa petition, a prayer-
that is, a Collect.
A detailed history of Mary Stewart and the Collect is availablefrom the General
Federation of Women’s Clubs Headquarters, 1734 N Street NW,Washington, D.C.
20036.
April 1941
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CLUB AWARDS
GFWC Greater West Palm Beach Women’s Club Status
2001 Convention Outstanding Club in Category 1
2002 Convention Outstanding Club in Category 1
2011 Convention Outstanding Club in Category 1
2013 Convention Outstanding Club in Category 1
2014 Convention Outstanding Club in Category 1
2015 Convention Outstanding Club in Category 1
2016 Convention Outstanding Club in Category 1
These awards were received when the club had Junior status 1976- 1978 District 10 Community Improvement Project - Silver Tray
1983 Junior Spirit - Hurricane Lamp
1985 Emmy Category 2
1987 Emmy Category 3
1988 Emmy Category 3
1990 Emmy Category 2
1991 Emmy Category 1
1992 Emmy Category 1
1993 Emmy Category 1
1994 Emmy Category 1
1995 Emmy Category 1
1996 Emmy Category 1
1997 Emmy Category 1
1998 Emmy Category 1
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GFWC GREATER WEST PALM BEACH WOMEN'S CLUB
PAST PRESIDENTS
Mrs. Linda Ferris 1999
Ms. Nancy Wood 2000-01
Mrs. Mary Evelyn Mitchell 2002-03
Mrs. Janet Blackford Carlson 2003-05
Ms. Louise Wagoner 2006-08
Ms. Mary Evelyn Mitchell 2008-12
Ms. Gay Alexin 2013-16
Mrs. Suzan Close 2017-18 (co-president)
Mrs. Cathy Hopkins 2017-18 (co-president)
GFWC WEST PALM BEACH JUNIOR WOMEN'S CLUB PAST PRESIDENTS
We honor and hold in high esteem, as well as affection, thesewomen who have served as
Presidents of the GFWC West Palm Beach Junior Women's Club.
Mrs. Dan Smith 1927-28
Mrs. James Turnage 1928-29
Mrs. William A. Fagan 1929-30
Mrs. William Reynolds 1930-32
Mrs. Mary C. Williamson 1932-33
Mrs. Arthur DePew 1933-34
Mrs. Horner Fisher 1934-35
Mrs. J. Owen Bowen 1935-36
Mrs. Winthrop G. Hull 1936-37
Mrs. Richard D. Hill 1937-38
Mrs. Cecil Cornelius 1938-39
Mrs. Richard J. Snelling 1939-40
Mrs. Janice B. Carroll 1940-42
Mrs. Jesse Josey 1942-43
Mrs. Robert C. Balfe 1943-44
Mrs. W.A. Boutwell, Jr. 1944-46
Mrs. J. Myron Teddet 1946-47
Mrs. William Bailey, Jr. 1947-48
Mrs. R.R. Brown, Jr. 1948-49
Mrs. T. Paul Riggs, Jr. 1949-51
Mrs. Nancy C. Parsons 1951-53
Mrs. Bernard E. Baker 1953-54
Mrs. Gerald Normandin 1954-56
Mrs. Hyman C. Butler 1956-58
Mrs. William L. Warshauer 1958-59
Mrs. Howard Cook, Jr. 1959-60
Mrs. Peter Abdo 1960-61
Mrs. Thomas Bailey 1961-62
Mrs. John F. Condon 1962-63
Mrs. Thomas E. Rawls 1963-64
Mrs. C.W. Schooley, III 1964-65
Mrs. William Harman 1965-66
Mrs. Lorne P. Hulme 1966-67
Mrs. Andrew Ondich 1967-68
Mrs. Ray Glass 1968-69
Mrs. James Clark 1969-70
Mrs. Jesse R. Little 1970-71
Mrs. Galen F. Marshall 1971-72
Mrs. Daniel A. Mica 1972-73
Mrs. Fred Reid 1974
Mrs. Ronald C. Cothes 1975
Mrs. Robert Martin 1976-77
Mrs. Donald Franklin 1978-79
Mrs. David Mitchell 1880-81
Mrs. W.W. Wenck 1982-83
Mrs. Michael Zern 1984-85
Ms. Linda Ferris 1986
Mrs. Carolyn Reikenis 1987-88
Ms. Suzanne Valentage 1989-90
Ms. Joy Longhurst 1991-92
Mrs. Phyllis Gauger 1993-94
Ms. Suzanne Valentage 1995
Mrs. Linda Ferris 1996
Mrs. Bunnie Brecher 1997-98
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CLUB WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
All of our members are active but we have the special joy ofhonoring a member whose
contributions in all phases of club work have been particularlyoutstanding for the years.
Sandy Wallace.......................................................................................1970
Cookie Wellborn.....................................................................................1971
Shirley McComas...................................................................................1972
Linda Cothes..........................................................................................1973
Martha Mica............................................................................................1974
Darlene Franklin.....................................................................................1975
Dottie Franklin........................................................................................1976
Sandy Wallace.......................................................................................1977
Margaret Butler.......................................................................................1978
Bonnie Vankirk.......................................................................................1979
Mary Evelyn Mitchell...............................................................................1980
Kathy Wenck..........................................................................................1981
Susie Zern & Bunnie Brecher.................................................................1982
Joy Longhurst.........................................................................................1983
Bunnie Brecher.......................................................................................1984
Linda Ferris.............................................................................................1985
June Zuehlsdorff.....................................................................................1986
Janet Graham.........................................................................................1987
Suzanne Valentage................................................................................1988
Linda Stuart............................................................................................1989
Joy Longhurst.........................................................................................1990
Bunnie Brecher.......................................................................................1991
Linda Stuart............................................................................................1992
Christy Davis..........................................................................................1993
Linda Stuart............................................................................................1994
Janet Blackford Carlson.........................................................................1995
Suzanne Valentage................................................................................1996
Not Awarded..........................................................................................1997
Phyllis Gauger........................................................................................1998
Suzanne Valentage................................................................................1999
Carolyn Foster........................................................................................2000
Carolyn Foster........................................................................................2001
Jeff Anne Pike........................................................................................2002
Linda Walker..........................................................................................2003
JeffAnne Pike.........................................................................................2004
JeffAnne Pike.........................................................................................2005
Gay Alexin.........................................................................................2006
Janie D’Amabrosio.............................................................................2007
Janet Blackford Carlson.....................................................................2008
JeffAnne Pike....................................................................................2009
Linda Walker......................................................................................2010
JeffAnne Pike....................................................................................2011
Cathy Hopkins...................................................................................2012
Suzan Close......................................................................................2013
JeffAnne Pike....................................................................................2014
Phyllis Gauger...................................................................................2015
Linda Ferris........................................................................................2016
Barbara Burdette...............................................................................2017
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ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Our new members bring much enthusiasm to our club. We have aspecial joy in honoring
the new member whose contributions in all phases of club workhave been particularly
outstanding.
Chee Chee Vega....................................................................................1970
Carol Silver.............................................................................................1971
Dottie Martin...........................................................................................1972
Diane Sasser..........................................................................................1973
Joyce Quentin.........................................................................................1974
Jackie Ziomek........................................................................................1975
Mary Curran............................................................................................1976
Margaret Butler.......................................................................................1977
Nancy Wood...........................................................................................1978
Evie Brodbeck........................................................................................1979
Corrine Mahan & Pat Kirby.....................................................................1980
Susie Zern & Bunnie Brecher.................................................................1981
Paige Robinson......................................................................................1982
June Zuehlsdorff.....................................................................................1983
Linda Pinella (now Ferris).......................................................................1984
Janet Graham.........................................................................................1985
Suzanne Valentage................................................................................1986
Carol Carnevale......................................................................................1987
Linda Stuart............................................................................................1988
Sherry Little............................................................................................1989
Paula Massie..........................................................................................1990
Ilene Romack & Bev Nielsen..................................................................1991
Bonnie Davis..........................................................................................1992
Gail Matrunola........................................................................................1993
Not Awarded...........................................................................................1994
Ilsa Travarca...........................................................................................1995
Beth Eyestone........................................................................................1996
Not Awarded...........................................................................................1997
Not Awarded...........................................................................................1998
Not Awarded...........................................................................................1999
Mary Evelyn Mitchell...............................................................................2000
Linda Walker..........................................................................................2001
Gay Alexin..............................................................................................2002
Peggy Heavey........................................................................................2003
Not Awarded...........................................................................................2004
Merrie Parks...........................................................................................2005
Janie D’Ambrosio...................................................................................2006
Liz Bloeser..............................................................................................2007
Linda Walker..........................................................................................2008
Cathy Hopkins........................................................................................2009
Deb Durand............................................................................................2010
Meg America......................................................................................2011
Fran Green.........................................................................................2012
Kathy Stackhouse..............................................................................2013
Peggy Breen......................................................................................2014
NotAwarded.......................................................................................2015
NotAwarded.......................................................................................2016
Connie Tellex..........................................................................................2017
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THE HISTORY OF OUR CLUB
The following is a brief history of the West Palm Beach JuniorWoman's Club which later
became the GFWC Greater West Palm Beach Women’s Club. Many hoursand donations
have been made by the West Palm Beach Juniors since we firstorganized in 1927 - the same
year we joined the Florida Federation of Women's Clubs (FFWC)and the General Federation
of Women's Clubs (GFWC). All of the projects have not beenincluded here, but enough are
listed to make us all proud to be a part of such an enthusiasticgroup.
The recorded history starts with 1951-1952. SouthridgeKindergarten was started for over 40
children in the Southridge Government Housing Project at nocharge to the parents. It started
with a budget of $2,000 annually and an accredited teacher. Thebudget money was raised by
a musical show, "The Frolics", put on by Junior members andtheir husbands.
In 1954-1955, Well Baby Clinic was started for babies oflow-income families. Health
supervision and immunization was stressed and childcareinstruction was given by nine
volunteer pediatricians. The Visiting Nurse Association donatedoffice space and a registered
nurse to assist the doctors (club members also assisted). Thehealth department donated the
immunization supplies.
In 1968 we donated $1,000 to the County Mental Health Center.Our name appears on a
plaque in the lobby along with other groups that donated. Since1968, a continuing project has
been to dress dolls for the Salvation Army and distribute themeach Christmas.
The 1st Annual Pink Panther Ball was held in 1969. From theproceeds, $1,000 was donated
to Dreher Park Zoo, enough to purchase two large cases.
In 1970-1971, we donated $1,800 from the proceeds of the PinkPanther Ball to Dreher Park
Zoo. With this money, the zoo put in another large cage andasphalt walkways on Cat Island.
The "Zoo-fari" guide program was started. Our members guidedschool children through the
zoo giving them information about the animals there. We alsomanned the refreshment stand
one day a week.
The Zoo-fari guides took over 2,600 children through the zoo in1971-1972. The proceeds
from the 3rd Annual Pink Panther Ball, $2,900, were donated tothe zoo.
1972-1973 was a short year...only 8 months long as we revampedour club year to coincide
with the FFWC calendar year. We kept our major projects such asSalvation Army dolls, and
Zoo-fari guides. In addition we began serving refreshments tonewly naturalized citizens.
Our 4th (and final) Pink Panther Ball netted $3,100 for the zooin 1973-1974. A total of 5,700
service hours were given to this program and our guides took4,680 children on tours. We
began revamping the "Jungle Book" (a house on zoo property) andserved as hostesses for
Toppy the Elephant's birthday party. We sponsored a defensivedriving class for the
community and participated in a Swim-a-Thon for the YMCA.
An auto accident killed one of our most active members in1974-1975. A flagpole and bronze
plaque were erected in her memory at Dreher Park Zoo, herfavorite project. The flag was
obtained through Congressmen Rogers and had flown over theCapital in Washington, D.C.
Our Community Improvement Projects (CIP) was the U.S.Bicentennial and Opportunity
House. The Liberty Belles Tea and Fashion show at the FlaglerMuseum involved nearly 30
organizations and raised $1,400 for the two projects. We raffleda club quilt and donated blood
to the newly formed District Blood Bank. We also did a communitysurvey for the Bicentennial
to determine what we should do as a club and also reported tothe West Palm Beach City
Bicentennial Commission. A paper drive for the Boy's Club netted$177.
8
1975-1976 saw us really gear up with a Bicentennial quilt,history books to the West Palm
Beach Public Library, beginning the Bicentennial AwarenessAwards, Clean up of the Dade
County Bank Building and research for the Channel 5 HistoricalBicentennial Minutes. In our
spare time we became incorporated, wrote a puppet show, held atennis tournament for
Special Olympics, and had a club member elected as board memberof Opportunity House.
We also bought Opportunity House new bunk beds and startedbaking birthday cakes for each
of the boys there.
Our country's 200th birthday finally arrived in 1976-1977, andwe researched and wrote a
souvenir booklet, had a Bicentennial Tea co-sponsored byBurdines honoring all the
Bicentennial Awareness Award winners, decorated the platform forthe tall ship, sponsored an
art contest for the American Wind Symphony, took our puppet showto several schools and
nursing homes and worked to make sure the Freedom Train stoppedin our area. We
decorated the Opportunity House recreation room and held an openhouse there. A fashion
show at Burdines, a community craft sharing day and a mother'ssummer survival kit rounded
out the year.
In 1977-1978, we continued our support of Opportunity House withone member serving as
Chairman of the board and another as Treasurer. We donated $250for the boys to take a trip
to Disney World and donated money for their Christmas gifts.Both District and State officials
awarded our club first place honors for this two-year CIPproject, along with $400 and a silver
tray. Our Ways and Means projects for the year included arummage sale, a meat raffle, and a
tasting tea. This tea was our "Golden Jubilee Tasting Tea"celebrating our 50th year as a
Federated Club. We invited all past presidents to attend asguests and among the many there
were the first, second, and third Presidents from 1927, 1928,and 1929, all of whom still
resided in the area.
In 1978-1979 we spent much time and effort working on Ways andMeans. We held an
International Tasting Tea in the spring, participated in theRoyal Palm Festival by selling
desserts at the Flagler Museum and held our annual rummage sale.Our Christmas Bazaar
was the best ever netting over $555. For our 1978-1980 CIP themewe chose to direct our
attention to children. After a CPR course for members andhusbands, we purchased a CPR
film to be used in the high schools, donations were made toOpportunity House, and $225 was
given to the Children's Home Society to facilitate the adoptionof a Down Syndrome baby. To
complete the year, our club co-hosted the 1979 District ArtsFestival. One of our members,
Linda Cothes, started her term as District 10 JuniorDirector.
In 1979-1980, we became involved in an anti-shoplifting campaignand created "Pockets", our
kangaroo costume mascot. Our participation in parades earned afirst place State award and
$300. We also sponsored a Family Fun Fair as a fundraiser and away of introducing
"Pockets" to the public. We purchased two anti-shoplifting filmsto be used in the schools.
Ditty Bags filled with personal items were made for the DomesticAssault Shelter and we also
donated $50 toward a scholarship at Palm Beach Junior Collegefor Women's Resource
Center. We served as hostess club for Junior Day this year andour special guests were
Congressman Dan Mica and his wife, Martha, a former West PalmBeach Junior Women's
Club President. This was the end of Linda Cothes term asJDD.
We continued our shoplifting project in 1980-1981 and sponsoreda very successful anti-
shoplifting seminar at Palm Beach Junior College. "Pockets"continued to be a popular part of
our program and helped us to win first place with our display atthe Christmas Bazaar. Another
very successful fundraiser was the construction of centerpiecesfor a political dinner held at
The Breakers hotel. Our anti-shoplifting project was awardedfirst place at convention this
year.
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In 1981, we held an Easter Egg Hunt for our member's familiesand made crafts for the Berry
Bucket. We also made tray favors for a nursing home and had alarge Christmas Bazaar. We
sponsored a Halloween Safety Poster Contest for area schoolchildren.
The next year, 1982, was a very busy. Membership was increasedby 10 women. We held
several "girls nights out", had a pool party and other socialfunctions, and were hard at work on
all club activities and projects. We adopted a handicapped,pregnant Haitian woman, gave aid
to a Nicaraguan family, and decorated a tree at Dreher Park Zoofor the animals at Christmas
time. We held a World's Fair Tasting Tea to benefit the DomesticAssault Shelter.
In 1983, we decided to "adopt" the County Home and continuesupport for the Domestic
Assault Shelter. Our Champagne Breakfast Fashion Show was heldin May and was a great
success. In October, we sponsored a Halloween Safety PosterContest for area school
children. In December, we had a Children's Christmas Party heldat the Woman's Club.
Great projects "bear" repeating during 1984, so we continuedassistance to the County Home
with monthly birthday parties. In addition, we redecorated thedining areas to make them more
cheery for staff and patients. The 2nd Annual ChampagneBreakfast Fashion Show and
County Christmas Tree and Bazaar were among fundraisers held tosupport club projects. To
aid Palm Beach County's migrants, we began a yearlong supportprogram for Operation
Concern and Soup Kitchen. Our 1984 Club theme of bears wasemphasized throughout the
year; each member even created her own cross-stitch bearnametag! We capped a full year
with a Children's Christmas Party featuring Cheer Bear andTenderheart Bear, two of
American Greeting’s Care Bears.
In 1985-1986, we continued to grow in membership and enthusiasm.Our 3rd Annual
Champagne Breakfast and Fashion Show in April was as much funfor members as guests.
For our CIP project, we adopted a West Palm Beach family throughthe Adopt-A-Family
Program. We bought tires for their car, clothes for the threechildren, work uniforms for the
mother, and remembered them on holidays with food and toys. Wecontinued to support the
Dreher Park Zoo, MAST, and decorated an edible Christmas tree atthe Dreher Park Zoo.
We continued our support of the Palm Beach County Home withcupcakes each month and
various items throughout the year. We made ditty bags for ChosenChildren and Domestic
Assault Shelter and adopted Faten, a Lebanese child, throughSave the Children. We
provided assistance for other organizations such as answeringtelephones at the WXEL
Channel 42 telethon, the American Lung Association and MADD.Club members and
husbands bowled in the annual "Bowl for Kids' Sake" fundraiserfor Big Brothers/Big Sisters
of Palm Beach County. We sold Gold C Coupon books to raise $300for a scholarship to be
given away in early 1986. Club members worked hard for anothersuccessful Children's
Christmas Brunch with Santa and Tenderheart Care Bear. Thisevent raised $750, which
was contributed to our special Junior husband, Steve Stewart,the first heart transplant
patient at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Our hard work for1985 was rewarded at Junior
Day in March 1986, when we received 11 District X awards for ourreports. At convention in
April we were thrilled when the club received the Emmy forCategory 2. It was the first time
West Palm Beach Junior's won this prestigious award. Thisculminated in 12 State awards
at convention.
West Palm Beach Juniors were busy in 1986-1987, doing manycommunity projects, adding to
its membership and adding to their families (four members hadbaby boys). We spent many
hours on projects to benefit children. We landscaped the yard atthe Children's Place, a
shelter for abused children; we assisted with Child KeypersInternational, a network to locate
missing children; we bowled to help raise money for BigBrothers/Big Sisters of Palm Beach
County; adopted Royal Palm School for handicapped kids. We made"honor badges" for the
children and provided a Teacher Appreciation Brunch. We alsoawarded a $300 scholarship.
We answered telephones for Jerry Lewis and WXEL public TVtelethons. We contributed
$750 for the protective glass for the Florida Panther exhibit atDreher Park Zoo. We adopted
10
Faten, through Save the Children. We began Kids Express, our CIPproject, in which we
wrapped shoeboxes, filled them with emergency clothing for HRSworkers to give to foster
parents. We also attended every state and district meeting andwe had the most successful
fundraiser in the history of our club. We gathered friends andfamily of club members, and in
June we had the program concession at the Palm Beach Grand Prixand raised over $7,500.
1987-1988 was a special year for Juniors. We celebrated our 60thanniversary by hosting
Junior Day in March. Our theme was "Celebrating CommunityService- Past, Present, and
Future." Our guest speakers were U.S. Representative Dan Micaand his wife, Martha,
president of our club in 1972. A special history was compiledand all past presidents were
invited. We had several fundraisers including a "Raiders of theLost Park" Road Rally, "Brunch
with Santa," and a Fall Fashion Fling. Our community projectsincluded Forest Hill High
School's Project Graduation, contributing a family ofanatomically correct dolls to the West
Palm Beach Police Department, and paint murals on the walls at aHead Start Pre-school. We
continued our support of local organizations such as theDomestic Assault Shelter, County
Home, and American Lung Association through donations of money,needed articles such as
toys and clothing, and volunteer hours.
Our most outstanding project was our Blue Dot fire hydrantmarker program. By involving local
neighborhood organizations and City government, we were able toraise over $2 to purchase
enough markers for the city of West Palm Beach. In March 1988,the state organization
recognized our efforts with 15 awards and an Emmy for being themost outstanding club in
Category 3. We also received special recognition from GFWC forour Blue Dot project.
1988-1989 found all of our departments busy with their ownfundraisers to support their "pet"
projects. We worked the elections office, recycled glass,aluminum, plastic and paper, had a
drawing for UNICEF, had a drawing for a hand-made wreath, madeitems for a Christmas
Bazaar and sold Gold C Coupon books for a scholarship fund. OurCIP project gave us the
most pride. One of our members gave birth to a baby girl withDowns Syndrome. We invited a
speaker from the Gold Coast Downs Syndrome Association toeducate our members on
Downs Syndrome. As a result of our discussions, we chose theAssociation of Retarded
Citizens (ARC) as our CIP project. We made tote bags and filledthem with infant stimulation
toys and other things parents could use to work with theirbabies. Some of the items in the bag
were made by members at workshops and some items were purchased.Our efforts were
rewarded by the many "thank yous" received from the recipientfamilies. We awarded a
college scholarship to a young man, supported our zoo, donated aVCR and videotapes to the
County Home, and assisted in a fundraiser for a residence forAIDS victims who had nowhere
else to live. We catered a cocktail party to acquaint Secretaryof State Jim Smith with the
restoration of The Armory School of Art and Visual Arts Center.One of our more moving
volunteer efforts was helping visitors at the South Florida Fairfind the names of family
members, friends or acquaintances on a replica of the Wall ofTears Vietnam Veterans
Memorial.
In 1989-1990, we worked at the Virginia Slims Tennis Tournamenthelping the Literacy
Volunteers of America. It was a great opportunity for ourmembers to aid this great cause as
well as to meet some tennis professionals. We rolled bandagesfor the White Cross,
continued to support the County Home Rehabilitation Facilitywith their monthly birthday parties
and visited area nursing homes on the holidays. Our members weretrained and certified in
CPR and as volunteers in the Safe Harbor (teen runaway shelter)program. We donated green
stamp books for a blind man. Members were highly visible in ourcommunity when they
worked Sunfest and the Fourth on Flagler. Our 3rd annual RoadRally fundraiser was a great
success as well as the Fashion Show we participated in with theBoynton Beach Mall, Burdines
store. Our club was honored at the Spring Convention with theEmmy Award for its
outstanding work in 1988. The highlight of the year, however,came about through our CIP, the
tote bags filled with infant stimulation toys, which we gave tothe ARC for distribution to new
11
mothers. TV5 highlighted one of our members as well as our clubon their Kelly's Heroes
spotlight. It was a thrill to see us on television.
In 1990-1991, we changed the direction of our scholarship. Wemade our scholarship
available to a single working mother who had gone back to schoolin an effort to improve her
situation. We also supported the Royal Palm School with thedonation of Publix register
tapes, which they were able to use as credit toward the purchaseof computer equipment.
Our members took squares of fabric, which were designed bystudents and made a quilt,
which hangs in the Royal Palm Beach Library. Members also helpedour libraries by putting
together flannelgraph stories for their story hours. 1990 wasthe year of the GFWC
Centennial Convention and three club members in New York Cityrepresented us! Social
issues were of much concern to our members who became involvedin writing to our
servicemen in the Middle East through Operation Desert Shield.Our members also helped
a church in their monthly dinners for People with AIDS. Ourcontinuing project of providing
the infant stimulation bags the ARC was acknowledgedinternationally when one of our bags
went to Poland. It was used to demonstrate what could be used inworking with
handicapped children. Fundraising this year was highlighted by aChristmas Bazaar and
Christmas tree give away. Members began with Christmas in Julyand worked up until the
holidays. We made just under $1,400 from our efforts. Otherfundraising projects included
the annual Fashion Show with Burdines, yard sales to raise moneyfor Dollars for Delegates
and the Road Rally.
1991-1992 was filled with lots of energy and "mileage" as weheld our annual Bunny Brunch for
area children, decorated an edible tree at the Dreher Park Zoo,adopted a child through Plan
International, and awarded a $500 scholarship to a single,working mother. We were active in
participating with the Women in Military Service for AmericanMemorial foundation when we
weren't coloring and cutting for our local libraries through ourCIP program. We participated in
the Palm Beach County Ultimate Garage Sale, visited with ournursing home projects and
walk-a-thon(ed) ourselves with American Lung Association, Marchof Dime's, Special
Olympics, and Bike Trek. The year wouldn't have been completewithout a "few of our favorite
things" when we planned a day of shopping and dining to Baysidein Miami as a membership
event.
"Go For The Gold" was the motto of Junior Day 1992 that found usas the hostess club with a
theme centered on the Olympics. We were blessed with so manyexciting events this year
such as officially changing our club name to GFWC West PalmBeach Junior Women's Club,
winning the District Spirit Award at Convention, which includesall of District 10. We sponsored
a girl’s softball team, which included one of our member’sdaughters, and we held our 1st
annual golf tournament at Bink's Forest Country Club, which wasa smashing success.
Proceeds from this event helped to benefit Harmony House, alocal woman's rehabilitation
home.
The months of 1993-1994 were filled with many new and exitingprojects adding to our
members and club activities. We strolled, pledged, adopted,donated, registered, rolled,
folded, volunteered, visited, and recycled (everything thatwasn't nailed down!) you name it we
did it in one form or another. State Convention awarded our clubthe Category 1 Emmy for
being an outstanding club in the State (again), along with manyfirst place certificates for our
efforts. Also awarded to our Junior District Director (a WestPalm Beach club member) was
the Ginny Winesman Leadership Award -how impressive. Our firstmembership banner was
designed incorporating our district and president's themes,which will be utilized as a public
relations tool. We held our 2nd annual golf tournament tobenefit Harmony House, a women's
domestic assault shelter. We organized a community wide yardsale to benefit a young
wife/mother left mysteriously paralyzed. She was previously oneof our program speaker's for
our business meeting.
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1994-1995 was certainly filled with unity through diversity aswe attended State, District, and
local meetings, and various club social events. Our president'sclub symbol/these were the
starfish representing many arms reaching out to our community,which is just what we did. We
began the year volunteering at the Serenity Stroll, awalk-a-thon event to raise money for
various community charities. We flipped flapjacks at a RotaryClub's Annual Pancake
Breakfast, answered telephones for WXEL Channel 42 publictelevision telethon, and grew
with the children at Easter Seals Early Intervention Center,participated in a community food
drive with the Food for Families Program. We washed cars, folded1,000 paper cranes,
continued our support of the Dreher Park Zoo, and we sponsoredan elementary school
newspaper subscription. Our club hosted a membershipinvitational from which we initiated
our first mother/daughter members, and our 3rd Annual GolfTournament at Bink's Forest
Country Club. Once again we participated in the Palm BeachCounty Ultimate Garage Sale,
Palm Beach County Yellow Feather Awards (a roast to localcelebrities) and Palm Beach
County Adopt-a-Road program. We toasted the end of our 1994 clubyear with an
International Christmas dinner/secret pal exchange held at thehome of our club president. Did
I mention that we took home the Emmy award for Category 1 atState Convention (again)?
Membership expansion was our goal for 1995-1996. We concentratedour efforts to bringing
in new members. Our first step was to join the Chamber ofCommerce of the Palm Beaches
where we made many business contacts in the community, whichpaid off in many ways.
Working our statewide theme of helping to keep kids safe intoour projects, we set up a
Neighborhood Pantry in cooperation with the Sheriff's Office inan under-privileged community.
We held a Don't Clown Around with Drugs poster contest for 5thgraders, we continued our
support of the domestic assault shelter and purchased DollyDowns dolls for the Association
for Retarded Citizens. Our members walked in the Susan G. KomenRace for the Cure for
breast cancer awareness and worked at the American LungAssociation's Bike Fest along with
our District 10 clubwomen. With rain threatening to dampen ourspirits, we held the 4th Annual
Golf Tournament to benefit the deaf service center, our biggestfundraiser of the year. We
celebrated the Centennial of the Florida Federation of Women'sClubs throughout the year.
Our celebration culminated in our bringing home the Emmy awardfor year of great work!
The club started 1996-1997 walking in the Race for the Cure forbreast cancer awareness. We
sponsored Jump for Heart for elementary children, bought aniguana for special needs class,
adopted a Fennec Fox and worked Boo at the Zoo, participated inthe American Lung
Association Bike Trek, helped with the Olympic Torch Relay,Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Moving Wall Exhibit, made library puppets, finished the readingquilt for the library, gave
apples for the teachers, awarded a scholarship to a Lake WorthHigh School senior and more.
We attended District 10 Arts Festival in Hobe Sound (where thehighlight was performance by
Palm Beach County Very Special Arts), and celebrated "Hats Off"at Junior Day in Jupiter. We
had a dozen attend FFWC Spring Convention where we brought homethe Emmy (AGAIN);
and four attended Fall Board. We also attended District 10Spring Workshop and Fall Tour of
Officers. We took our families and friends to see turtles layingeggs, the dog races, and the
local basketball and arena football games at the auditorium. Weheld a "Junior Reunion" at
Alleyda's restaurant and we took in three new members.Fundraisers included a golf ball drop,
a first-time effort that proved extra successful when the winner(Colette Runge of Clearwater
Juniors) donated the $500 back to us to use for PublicRelations/Membership. We also held a
golf tourney, sold wrapping paper, Entertainment Books, andparticipated in Ultimate Garage
Sale. Again in 1997-1998, our focus was on membership. ThePresident’s motto, keep growing with new members, keeping seasonalmembers, and giving of time and us. We helped our migrant familywith school supplies, Easter treats, pumpkins and candy atHalloween, and a gift certificate for Christmas. We sold Innisbrookgift wrap; chocolate bars, participated in the Gigantic Garage saleand manned a Coke wagon at a local Wal-Mart. We also purchase booksfor a new preschool, held a “Say No to Drugs” Poster contest for5th grade students,
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worked the Supervisors afflictions office, and worked members’night at the Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park. Our club celebrated amilestone in 1999, as we officially switched from a junior club toa general club. With all the proper paperwork approved, we wererecognized at Convention as the GFWC Greater West Palm BeachWomen's Club. We opened the year with only nine members and weended with 12. We reported projects in all six emphasis areas, plusfund-raising, programs, leadership, membership and publicrelations. We were rewarded with four FFWC certificates:membership, leadership, programs, and public affairs. Plus wereceived honor score. Suzanne Valentage concluded her term on theFFWC Elections Committee. We had made the right decision to becomea general club.
We opened 2000 at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at theend of January, visited
the Green Market and went see the Manatees. Club membersexpanded their art
appreciation at the Norton Gallery of Art, we went to watch thesea turtles lay eggs, helped
with Special Olympics, Solid Waste Authority, and got in touchwith our inner child at the
Artist Way program. We made bookmarks, baked goodies for afund-raiser at Animal
Rescue, and help count pennies for Meadow Park Elementary. Wesponsored a booth at
Boo at the Zoo and helped with Locks of Love for cancerpatients. We recycled everything
we could; we contributed to Goodwill, and suits to Dress forSuccess program. We sent
holiday cards to veterans at local VA hospital and we wroteinternational pen pals. We went
for International dinners. We went to our doctors to check ourcholesterol, get
mammograms and pap smears, took a CPR course, and cooked withnew heart-healthy
recipes, which were printed in our monthly newsletter. Septembermarked the beginning of
our new club home at Acordia Insurance in downtown West PalmBeach. Our President
was appointed FFWC Public Relations Chairman for 2000-2002Administration. The club
contributed to HOBY, UNICEF, Little Achievers Day Care Center,Hacienda Girls Ranch,
cancer kids at St. Mary's Hospital, Salvation Army Angels,Women's Memorial in Military
Service, Operation Smile, Canine Companions, made 19 lap robesfor a nursing home and
veteran's hospital, and adopted an Eagle through the AudubonSociety in honor of Dr. Janet
Williams, our District 10 Director. We also adopted a childthrough Child Reach and
contributed to Channel's 12 Project Thanksgiving. We collected$1,845 for Easter Seals,
with ALL the money going to Easter Seals; collected almost 40cell phones for the domestic
assault shelter; and donated personal hygiene items, too.
We were active in all departments in 2001. We didn't lose anymembers during the year and
took in four new members bringing our membership to 20.Fund-raising activities were
successful in two garage sales, 50-50, dollars for delegateevents, selling hot dogs at Wal-
mart and Innisbrook gift wrap. Our members enjoyed internationaldinners each month (and
brought friends and family), picnics, art and museum activities.We also gathered personal
hygiene items, school supplies and cell phones for domesticassault shelter. We gave
goggles to Boggy Creek, beach towels, books, valentines and laprobes to the VA hospital,
clothes and games to Hacienda, adopted a child through ChildReach, and we contributed
$300 to educate a girl through CARE and more. Our speakersincluded the director of the
domestic assault shelter, Locks for Love, an artist, a fireman,a sheriff's deputy, a doctor and
a woman from the health department. At convention, we weresurprised when we received
the Outstanding Club in Category 1 for our work the previousyear. We attended all FFWC
district and state meetings. One of our members served as FFWCPublic Relations
Chairman.
The 75th anniversary of the club was the highlight of 2002. Notonly did we receive a special
recognition at the FFWC Convention, but we also held a specialtea to honor the event. The
club again received an award as the outstanding club in thestate in our category. The work
continued with a garage sale and the constructing of blue bearsfor children in crisis. We
donated to the girls at Hacienda, supported the Special Olympicsand Locks of Love, and
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donated to the Veterans at the VA Hospital. We held numerousinternational dinners and
fundraising activities included a One Stop Shoppingexperience.
The twenty-two members of our club not only “grew together” butalso spread our efforts to our
community in a big way in 2003. We wore hats for a club picture;we made cigar box purses
for ourselves and as a fund-raiser. We raised more money with agarage sale and two hot dog
sales. We had fun riding the Diva Duck, and attending aninternational dinner at a different
restaurant each month. We cheered the veterans at the Veteran’sHospital with St. Patrick’s
Day tray favors, socks, books, puzzles and toiletries throughoutthe year and centerpieces for
their Veteran’s Day celebration. We wrote over 1,000 thank younotes for Locks of Love. We
supplied the troops overseas with items to make their life alittle more pleasant. We enjoyed
two plays at the Lake Worth playhouse, attended districtworkshops and the state FFWC
convention. We delivered baby bundles for newborns in need andfilled shoeboxes with toys
for Operation Christmas Child. We read three books for our bookclub, held a membership tea
and gained three new members and developed a web site for theclub. We participated in
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and worked with the TeacherResource Center. It was
truly a year where we incorporated the community into our“growing together.”
We started 2004 by participating in the Susan G. Komen Race forThe Cure, to raise money
for cancer research, along with 20,000 others. We supported ourlocal Veterans hospital,
with donations of socks, VCRs, puzzles and personal hygieneitems and more. We helped
sort hair at Locks of Love, a national organization withheadquarters in our county. They
provide hairpieces for people with cancer. We mailed boxes ofgoodies to servicemen in
Iraq. We donated school supplies, recognized our teachers, had abook exchange and
participated in Read Together Palm Beach County. Club membersalong with students from
a local high school made an Aids quilt from denim material. Wehad our most successful
fundraisers in 20 years under the guidance of our fundraisingchairman who got us
connected with the Shriners, Junior League, and the City of WestPalm Beach to bring in
more than $3,000. Of course we sold Innisbrook gift wrap and afew other small fundraisers
along the way. One of our members served as District 10 SmileChairman. She kept us
informed of all aspects of the program. Our club participated inall district raffles, buying
tickets, and contributing a basket to be raffled at our District10 Rock and Roll Bash for
Operation Smile. We had 18 members and friends attend the bash.One of our members
also serves as District 10 Public Relations Chairman. She workedhard to get stories and
pictures printed on District 10 clubwomen, including theDistrict Arts winner, District 10
member of the year, LEADS representative and District 10painting raffle. She also had
several articles and pictures printed on our club activities,including our work with Locks of
Love, new officers and our club donation to Hispanic HumanResource Council. Having
“been there and done that” in regard to hurricanes, our sympathyreally went out to the
victims of Hurricane Katrina. We made a donation of $100 to theGFWC relief fund in 2004
and in 2005 for hurricane victims.
In 2005 we started out with 20 members. Eleven members and fiveguests participated in
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, held on Flagler Drive,downtown West Palm Beach.
We took advantage of “Act in October”. We had a membership teaand initiated 6 new
members. This is the most we have had in years. We sold beer andwine at Clematis by
Night, downtown West Palm Beach, which profited us $1,300. Ourtips were donated to
Hurricane Katrina. We again made a donation of $100 to the GFWCrelief fund and for
hurricane victims. We voted to give one of our members $350 todonate through her work.
Because she did this, her employer matched her donation and thisamounted to $700 for the
victims. We held a 50/50 drawing at each business meeting whichwe made $141 profit.
We worked 4th on Flagler, Honda Classic Golf Tournament, RogerDean Stadium
concession, gates at Sunfest and sold Innisbrook gift wrap. Clubpurchased membership to
National Arbor Day Foundation, donated money to a localelementary school for safety
patrol trip to Washington D.C. Club president participated inthe Disney Marathon in which
she raised money for the Leukemia Society. Club members donateda total of $510 for that
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agency. We purchased a table with chairs for the Hispanic HumanResources day care
center; went to different cultural restaurants monthly forInternational Dinners. Held Ladies
Night Out, continued with secret pals and the sunshine basket.Members attended FFWC
Convention, Fall Board, and District meetings. The District 10Operation Smile Fundraising
chairman was a member of our very own club; so needless to say,she worked us very hard
in fundraisers for Operation Smile. Members and guestsparticipated in the District 10 Rock
and Roll Bash in Hobe Sound. This was a fundraiser for OperationSmile. Each club was
asked to bring a basket filled with goodies for the raffle. Thiswas a great success and
members and guests had a great time. We donated to agencies suchas UNICEF, Tsunami
victims, collected nineteen Samaritan’s Purse Holiday ShoeBoxes, and HOBY. We ended
the year with our annual Holiday Party at the home of thePresident. We exchanged secret
pal gifts. Secret pals were revealed.
In 2006-2007 we held active leadership and memberships programsthrough the two years.
Members were awarded with a Leader of the Month certificate,birthday and anniversary
recognition, Ladies Night Out events and membership motivationalmoments. We were
active in all departments, including the FFWC President’sProject, GFWC President’s
Project and Empowering Women. Our membership went from 19 to 24in 2006, and we
ended 2007 with 24, with a long-standing member moving to Ohio.Members agreed the
highlight of the two years was making stockings for the troopsin 2007, as requested by the
American Red Cross, Palm Beach County Chapter. Our club gotfantastic Public Relations
on this project. We were on four TV stations and The Palm BeachPost, as well as included
in “Florida Clubwoman” and “GFWC Clubwoman” magazine. Our clubwas proud to have
Linda Ferris, the District 10 Director. We attended all FFWCConvention and Fall Board, all
district meetings, and Karen-Lee Donohue attended SouthernRegion and GFWC
Convention both years. We even broke a record for attendance in2006: We had 12
members attend Convention. JeffAnne Pike represented District 10at Convention 2006,
competing for the Volunteer of the Year. Although she did notwin the state honor, she’s a
big winner in our club. Several members took a day of vacationto attend state meetings
and the Annual District Meetings. Our club hosted a districtmeeting in 2006 and again in
the summer of 2007, at the request of the District Director.Both years, our club members
participated in Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, along with25,000 other people in West
Palm Beach. We were proud to be a part of this project. Otherprojects included Locks of
Love (a nonprofit giving wigs hair to cancer patients where thepresident donated 13 inches
of hair), sponsored a preschool classroom at Hispanic HumanResource Center, beach
cleanups, assist the many teachers in our club with schoolsupplies and judging leadership
contests. We participated in Read Together Palm Beach County in2006. We supported
our local domestic assault shelter, donated to Dress forSuccess, donated to the veteran’s
hospital, filled shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse, participatedin the District 10 fundraiser for
Hacienda, made flip-flops for Southern Region Conference, andclicked away on Web sites
that helped the environment. Our club has monthly newsletters(sent by email to all but one
member) and a yearbook. We wear club shirts to projects and havea club Web site that we
pay $200 a year to have a professional maintain. We also rentfrom the West Palm Beach
Garden Club so we can list our speakers in the local newspaper.We held a family picnic in
the summer and a holiday party in December at a member’s home.Members bought raffle
tickets for Operation Smile on a chance to go to Brazil. Wecontributed $200 in 2007 for the
President’s Project: Scholarships for Kids with cancer. The clubmade money the hard way
selling Entertainment Books, Innisbrook gift wrap, workingconcession booth at local
baseball stadium with the Shriners, and holding garages sales.Two long-time members
were recognized in 2007; Phyllis Gauger for 25 years inFederation and the Karen-Lee
Donohue for 30 years. We hold monthly International dinners at adifferent restaurant each
month, and a separate evening Ladies Night Out. We invitefriends and family and enjoy the
social time. Ladies Night Out featured a variety of things fromplays, movies, watching
football games, BUNCO and board games, and even a trip to theHard Rock Casino. We
submitted articles to the Florida Clubwoman and the GFWCClubwoman magazine. We
had several pictures printed in the Florida Clubwoman bothyears. We have had a very
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successful two years. Karen Lee Donohue has also accepted stateresponsibilities for both
years. Our membership has held at approximately 22 members forboth years. This year
we added two new members and had a membership motivationalproject where we learned
the keys to being a good member by being presented a key eachmonth representing some
part of membership. We have a Ladies Night Out each month tohelp members get to know
each other. We have an active Arts Department, participating inthe district arts
competitions both years. In 2009, we studied art 101 where welearned about various forms
of art each month. We have attended numerous plays and concertsduring these two years,
from plays at the Lake Worth Playhouse to Shakespeare in thePark. This year our
conservation department collected items for a recyclingorganization, The Resource Depot
and our conservation chairman attended classes there. She thenshared ideas with the club
of ways to use items we usually throw away. We have continued tocollect used cell phones
and empty printer cartridges which go to Dade County recycling.Some of our used cell
phones are then donated to victims of domestic abuse. For thepast two years we have
collected school supply item each month. We have then been ableto fill a number of back
packs which we donate a Title I elementary school. We haveserved as judges for the
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America districtcompetitions. The Greyhound
Pets of America have also received donations, including blanketsfor the dog’s bedding. We
have carried out various projects with the Veteran’s Hospital,including making centerpieces
for Veteran’s Day and the Fourth of July. We have also made laprobes for the veterans.
We made Ugly Quilts to donate to a local homeless program. Ourinternational affairs
department has promoted dinners each month at a restaurantfeaturing food from other
countries. We have filled shoeboxes for Operation Child andcollected trick or treat funds for
UNICEF. We have collected cancelled stamps for Habitat forHumanity, eyeglasses for
sending to other countries, Campbell Soup Labels for a migrantschool and Box tops for
education. We have had publicity in the local newspapers and theFlorida Clubwoman. We
have had a LEEDS nominee and a volunteer of year nominee forboth years. We have
attended Convention, Fall Board and many district meetings. Ourfund raising efforts have
included working at the concession stand at Roger Dean Stadium,selling Innisbrook gift
wrap, and “Enjoy the City” coupon books for local restaurantsand businesses.
In 2009, we participated in the annual Susan G. Komen Race forthe Cure breast cancer
awareness walk. Our club registered as a team and we had 15.5participants! One of our
member’s grandbaby attended with her mom pushing in a stroller!Members also
participated in the Buddy Walk/Down Syndrome and the Autismwalk. We recycle empty
printer cartridges and used cell phones, recycle items toResource Depot, participated in a
beach cleanup, purchased the Kind News for a local Montessorischool for their VPK
students. We have two members in our club who are teachers andsponsor the Family,
Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Club at theirrespective high schools.
The FCCLA club is a national student run leadershiporganization. We collected schools
supplies from January to August and donated the supplies to alocal elementary school. We
participated in Read Together Palm Beach County “The BookThief”. In keeping with the
goal of promoting adult reading; we simultaneously read thenovel then discussed it at our
business meeting. We reviewed the plot of a young orphan girl inNazi Germany who
escapes the reality of her hardened life by reading and muststeal books to do so. For three
months, members collected children’s books for our “Book FairyProject”. The 79 books
were delivered to five Laundromats to encourage reading. Oneclub member typed labels
with club name and website on the labels were put inside thefront cover of the children’s
books. We had many fundraisers this year. We raised moneyplaying Bunco three times
this year, sold tickets to a Flapjack buffet breakfast atApplebee’s, making $500 from our
profits, worked the concession stand at Rodger Dean Stadium inconjunction with Shriners
during the baseball preseason Spring Training. We soldInnisbrook gift wrap, and “Enjoy the
City” coupon books. Our profit from each book was $8 we made atotal of $240. We also
sold Eli’s Garden all natural bar soaps which come in 18different scents. We helped the
Palm Beach Sheriff's Office with their fundraiser at the "Carsof Dreams Museum" in North
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Palm Beach. We participated in many other great projects thisyear that we will continue
into the next year.
2010 was another busy year for our club of 21 members. We walkedin Susan G. Komen
Race for the Cure and participated in Buddy Walk. We raisedfunds with an Applebee’s
breakfast, yard sale, Bunco, raffles and by selling Innisbrookgift wrap and “Enjoy the City”
coupon books. We worked with the Shriners at Roger Dean Stadiumconcession stands.
We participated in community projects by placing children’sbooks in Laundromats, having a
beach cleanup and donating school supplies to an elementaryschool. We recycled and
donated items to the Resource Center and we also recycled oldcell phones and printer
cartridges. We collected items for The Greyhound Pets ofAmerica. The Veteran’s Hospital
was a big focus for the year. We made and donated centerpiecesfor three holidays and
constructed 13 quilts for women veterans who were mothers to be.Toiletries were also
collected for the VA. We filled shoeboxes for OperationChristmas Child and UNICEF trick
or treat boxes. We donated money to Haiti for fresh water andother uses. We purchased
Girl Scout cookies to be sent to the troops. We learned aboutart with “Art 101” questions at
meetings. We made artful bras for a state project andparticipated in the district arts
competition. Ladies Night Out events that help us to get to knoweach other better are
scheduled each month. This year, they included visits to theNorton Art Gallery and the
Jupiter Lighthouse. We had an officer installation and HolidayParty. We were honored to
have members who were nominees for the Palm Beach Leadershipaward and GFWC
District Volunteer of the Year. We attended many districtmeetings, convention, and Fall
Board. We had one member run for a GFWC state office and we had3 members serving
on state level GFWC Florida. The most outstanding event of 2010was our selection as the
GFWC State Outstanding Club in Category 1.
2011 saw our 21 members working in many directions. Ourfundraising efforts included
Bunco parties, two garage sales; work with the Shriners at RogerDean Stadium and our
participation in Sunfest. We sold Innisbrook gift wrap and“Enjoy the City” coupon books.
We Raced for the Cure in January. We entered the District Artscompetition. On a visit to
Hacienda Girl’s Ranch, we were able to deliver the schoolsupplies and towels which we
collected. At the Holidays, instead of exchanging gifts witheach other, we asked each
member to donate at least one $10 gift card, and we were able todonate $310 in gift cards
for the girl’s use. We made a delivery of children’s books tothe Laundromats. We made
dinner for the families at Quantum House, a home for thefamilies of children in a local
hospital. Participation at Quantum House enabled us to donate atree to their butterfly
garden in memory of one of our deceased members. We were pleasedto receive a state
award for our donation. We learned how to make tie die scarfs,candy centerpieces and
Holiday towel angels at workshops given by our arts chairwoman.Participation in Very
Special Arts included a poster display at our club meeting fromESE students at a local high
school. We supplied the material for their posters and awardedeach of them a blue ribbon
and pizza party for their efforts. We visited the Busch WildlifeReserve. Recycle bags were
given to each member to remind them to recycle. We took a CPRclass at a local church.
We held a membership tea which resulted in 7 new members for theyear with two additional
women to be added in 2012. This made up for the members we lost.We donated large
filled bags to the Veteran’s Hospital for their mothers to be.We also made centerpieces for
the VA for 3 holidays. A box was shipped to a womanserviceperson overseas in our name.
Ladies Night Out was scheduled for each month and among otherevents, we took a day
cruise, visited the Hard Rock Casino and spent time at the localgreenmarket. We held a
beach cleanup and celebrated Earth Day with a picnic and parkcleanup. We donated KIND
news to a local school. We collected 32 pairs of shoes for Solesfor Shoes. We wrote and
mailed “Shots by Two” reminders. We began the process of beingdeclared a 501 c3
organization. We worked at Locks of Love; we held a club picnicand Holiday party. We
filled Shoeboxes for Operation Child and Trick or Treat Boxesfor UNICEF. Our dog toys
from T-shirts were a successful project. We held a workshop tomake them, donated some
to the Animal Rescue shelter and sold some. We are proud to have3 members serving at
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the GFWC Florida state level. We attended convention, FallBoard, and many district
meetings.
In 2012 with members we had an active year. We had members goingand Ladies Day Out
events to help members get to know each other better. Our LadiesDay Out activities
included a tour of the Palm Beach County Historical Society, atrolley tour of downtown West
Palm Beach, a visit to the Norton Art Gallery to tour thegallery and a later visit to see a
Corning Glass Blowing exhibition. We shopped at the local greenmarket, had a game night
with potluck dinner, walked on the beach and visited the BuschWildlife Preserve. We
attended a Shakespeare by the Sea production and we held a clubpicnic including
prospective members. We had two very successful pancakebreakfasts, played Bunco three
times, had two Pampered Chef parties and sold “Enjoy the City”coupon books. Our Arts
Department was pleased to have 3 members win awards at theDistrict Arts competition. We
collected many items, aluminum tabs, Campbell Soup labels,eyeglasses and box tops for
education. We collected 57 pairs of gently worn shoes for Shoesfor Souls and recyclable
items to be donated to the Resource Depot for use in craftprojects. We participated in a
park cleanup for our Earth Day/Arbor day celebration. We readLast Train to Paradise as a
part of Read Together Palm Beach County. We appreciated theefforts of our members who
are teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week and again at thebeginning of the school
year. Children’s books were collected and distributed to localLaundromats. We donated
school supplies and backpacks to three local elementary schools.For Christmas, we
adopted a family at an elementary school and were able to buyevery item on their wish list.
To fund this project, we collected approximately $250 at ourholiday party. We contributed
to this project instead of buying gifts for each other. HaciendaHouse continued to receive
our support through our donation of beach towels and pillows.Our club supported Quantum
House through the preparation of dinners for the families wholive there while their children
are in a local hospital. We made dinners on two differentoccasions and also made 57
decorative pillowcases to be given to the children who arepatients at the hospital. Several
times during the year members worked at Locks of Love, measuringhair and writing thank
you notes. We continued our monthly international dinners.Working with the Palm Beach
Gardens Women’s Club, we provided items for the Hispanic HumanResources Child Care
Center during the year. We also donated birthday bags for thechildren in the Domestic
Assault Women’s Shelter. One of our favorite projects isOperation Christmas Child and we
again filled shoeboxes with toys and small items for childrenall over the world. We
distribute and fill our UNISEF boxes at Halloween. The Veteran’sHospital has been a
project that we have continued to work with. We madecenterpieces for Memorial Day,
Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day and collected toiletries, booksand magazines for them
throughout the year. The women veterans who are soon to bemothers received 20
“mommy bags” filled with personal items from us and we were alsoable to donate to them
20 buckets filled with much needed cleaning supplies atChristmas. We collected women’s
clothes which we were able to donate to a women’s shelter. TheForgotten Soldiers
received donations of items for the military overseas from us aswell as two financial
donations to assist with shipping of the items. The districtVolunteer of the Year was a club
member and we were pleased to be named the Outstanding Club inCategory 1 for 2011.
Our club programs during the year have been varied and havecovered such topics as
container gardening, vehicular homicide, water management,audiology, book writing,
federation and healthy heart information.
In 2013 we increased our membership to 25. Our Ladies Day Outevents help members get
to know each other better. Our Ladies Day Out activitiesincluded a tour of the Palm Beach
County Historical Society, a trolley tour of downtown West PalmBeach, a visit to the Norton
Art Gallery and a later visit to see a Corning Glass Blowingexhibition. We shopped at the
local green market, had a game night with potluck dinner, walkedon the beach and visited
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the Busch Wildlife Preserve. We attended a Shakespeare by theSea production and we
held a club picnic including prospective members. Other LadiesDay Out activities included
breakfast after participating in Susan G. Komen Race for theCure, a historic walking tour of
Palm Beach, visit to Lake Worth Street Painting, dinner at aFood Truck Invasion and a
movie and dinner. Fundraising is a big part of our club work. Wehad two very successful
pancake breakfasts, played Bunco eight times, had Pampered Chefparties, One Thirty-One
Party and sold “Enjoy the City” coupon books. Our big projectwas the compiling and
publishing our club cookbook “Sharing our Culinary Treasures”which we continue to sell.
Our Arts Department had members participate in the District Artscompetition. We attended
classes in painting and pottery making. We collected many items:aluminum tabs, Campbell
Soup labels, eyeglasses and box tops for education. OurConservation Department
collected gently worn shoes for Shoes for Souls and recyclableitems to be donated to the
Resource Depot for use in craft projects. We participated in apark cleanup and visit for our
Earth Day/Arbor day celebration. We read with Read Together PalmBeach County. We
adopted a new school, Crestwood Middle. We appreciated theefforts of our members who
are teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week and Teachers atour adopted school at the
beginning of the school year. Children’s books were collectedand distributed to local
Laundromats. Barton Elementary School was our adopted school in2012. We donated
school supplies to them. For Christmas, we adopted a family atBarton and were able to buy
every item on their wish list. We received 464 books from FirstBook. We donated some of
these books to children at Easter Seals and the Hispanic HumanResources Child Care
centers and we have books remaining for next year. We received a$200 grant from GFWC
which we are using to pay postage on the books. We gave giftcertificates to the girls at
Hacienda Girls Ranch instead of giving gifts to each other atChristmas. Our club supported
Quantum House through the preparation of dinners for thefamilies who live there while their
children are in a local hospital. We made dinners on threedifferent occasions and also
made 57 decorative pillowcases to be given to the children whoare patients at the hospital.
Several times during the two years members worked at Locks ofLove, measuring hair and
writing thank you notes. We continued our monthly internationaldinners, enjoying such
varied food as Cuban, Italian and Greek. We donated birthdaybags for the children in the
Domestic Assault Women’s Shelter in 2012. One of our favoriteprojects is Operation
Christmas Child and we continued to fill shoeboxes with toys andsmall items for children all
over the world. We also donated sandals, stuffed animals andwashcloths to them in 2013.
We distribute and fill our UNISEF boxes at Halloween every year.The Veteran’s Hospital
has been a project that we have continued to work with. Bothyears we made centerpieces
for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day. We collecttoiletries, books and
magazines for them throughout the years. The women veterans whoare soon to be
mothers received 20 “mommy bags” filled with personal items fromus on four different
occasions and we were also able to donate to them 20 bucketsfilled with much needed
cleaning supplies at Christmas 2012. We collected women’sclothes which we donated to a
women’s shelter. The Forgotten Soldiers received donations ofpersonal items for the
military overseas from us as well as three financial donationsto assist with shipping of the
items. Our members continue to participate in state leadershiproles as state financial
manager, public issues collaboration chairman, education programchairman,
communications chairman and state leadership chairman. Thedistrict Volunteer of the Year
was a club member and we were pleased to be named theOutstanding Club in Category 1
for 2011 and 2012. Our club programs during the year have beenvaried and have covered
such topics as container gardening, vehicular homicide, watermanagement, audiology,
book writing, federation and healthy heart information. Our clubprograms during the two
years have been varied and have included identity theft, dogsfor veterans, and
distinguished young woman of tomorrow, genealogy research, andPalm Beach County
history, getting rid of clutter, mental health services andothers. Our new officers began
2013 with the slogan “A CLASS Act” and we tried to be just that.As M & M (Membership
and Me) club members wore their favorite sports team shirts to abusiness meeting. Six
booster members were installed during the year making a total ofnine for the club.
Members learned to make their own paintings and pottery atspecial classes. Exceptional
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Education high school students participated in a poster designcontest will awards for all. In
2013, our Education Department was able to give a $1,000scholarship to a local young
woman with outstanding scholarship and community participation.We gave books to the VA
mothers to be. We volunteered at four different local schools.We donated used cell
phones to a local Domestic Abuse. One of our big projects wasthe construction of 50
dresses for the Dress a Girl Around the World organization. Wepurchased all the supplies
and sewed the dresses which where were sent to an orphanage inHaiti. We also sent 18
pairs of boy’s shorts boys to the orphanage. We were pleased tobe named the Outstanding
Club in Category 1 for 2011 and 2012. We received our 501c3status at the end of 2013,
ending a two-year pursuit of that goal, which really ended ouryear on a high note.
2014 was another successful year for the club. Our ArtsDepartment made vests for visually
impaired children, saw exhibits at the Norton Art Gallery andthe Four Arts, had a walking
tour on Palm Beach, entered District and State Arts and Craftscompetitions, painted pottery
and made centerpieces, wreaths and stamped stationery. ForConservation, we collected
plastic bottle tops, donated to ACT Trees, had an Earth DayCelebration and learned from
speakers from the Solid Waste Authority and South Florida WaterManagement. We
donated books we had obtained from First Books to Children atEaster Seals, the Hispanic
Human Resources Center, Safe Place and the VA Women expecting achild. We
distributed books as Book Fairies to Laundromats on fourdifferent occasions, donated
scholarships to two graduating seniors and received a GFWCNational Literacy Grant. We
held a book discussion on The Lauguage of Flowers and donatedschool supplies to a
middle school and the Resource Depot. Quantum House was afavorite project for our
Home Life Department. We prepared dinners for the families therethree times. We also
made pillowcases for the children who are patients there. Wemade peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches for an inner city aftercare. We collected jackets forchildren who needed them.
We participated in Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and savedcard fronts for St. Jude’s
Ranch. One of our favorite activities for the InternationalOutreach Department is our
international dinner each month at different restaurants. Weraised enough money for two
Operation Smile surgeries. We donated bras to the Free the Girlproject and also donated
flip flops and shorts to an orphanage in Haiti. We knittedscarves for the Christmas at Sea
program. We collected eye glasses and cases for third worldcountries. The local VA
hospital has always been an organization we have enjoyed workingwith and we continued
with making centerpieces for Memorial Day, July Fourth, andVeteran’s Day. Our Mommy
Bag project continued with two deliveries of bags to theexpectant VA mothers. We
participated in Wreaths Across America and met returning HonorFlights. We also wrote
thank you notes to the veterans on the Honor Flights and sentitems to the Forgotten
Soldiers, including hand stamped stationery. We found a fun wayto raise money with our
bi-monthly Bunco games. We sold out of the cookbooks publishedby the club and had
great sales on mixed bags for one of the most successfulfundraising years we have had
recently. We had a wide variety of programs at our businessmeetings, including speakers
on heart health, canine companions and Operation ChristmasChild. Our membership chair
planned a “ladies day out” each month and we went to such variedplaces as the zoo, the
Science Museum, Diva Duck and a trolley tour of West Palm Beach.We added several new
members and ended the year with 29 members, the largest numberof members we have in
recent years. One of members is serving as District 10 directorthis year. We had the
District LEADS candidate and the District Volunteer of the Year.We had a mini LEADS
workshop at a business meeting and we strive to plan and carryout a well-planned agenda
for the year. We were the outstanding club in the state inCategory one. We are hoping for
an even better 2105.
Our club continued on in 2015 with another busy and successfulyear. Our Arts Department
had many workshops for our members, and a different project wasmade each time. Floral
baskets, seashell mirrors, fall table centerpieces, mosaics withtile, and paintings on glass
made us really crafty this year. We had six members who entereditems in the Arts and
Crafts Competition. We all collected plastic caps for Caps ofLove, learned about
21
hydroponic gardening by visiting a local grower, and we donateditems to the Humane
Society and Peggy Adams Rescue League. The Education Dep
(PDF) GFWC GREATER WEST PALM BEACH WOMEN'S CLUB 2017 …The following is a brief history of the West Palm Beach Junior Woman's Club which later became the GFWC Greater West Palm Beach Women’s - DOKUMEN.TIPS (2023)
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