60 pairs and counting….
Our service collection tonight was socks!! Socks? Why socks?
The GFWC Sock Project helps domestic violence survivors “Step Away From Abuse” by working with domestic violence shelters. We collected over 60 pairs of new socks and will be placing them in clear bags with a personalized message of support and encouragement from our club. It reads: “As you begin your new life and Step Away from Abuse, we hope you will find comfort and warmth as you walk into your newly found freedom.”
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is a national leader in the fight to end domestic violence, and this is one small way our club — along with clubs throughout the U.S. — helps to support these efforts.
If you still want to donate socks, get them to Karen M. by this Thursday. If you want to join in the fun of packaging them, stop by her home Friday morning at 10 a.m.
Holiday Giving Tree
For our December service donation, we are once again donating gifts to children in need through Children’s Services of Wisconsin. We have set of tags for 30 children listing their wishes. This picture is what was left at the last meeting. Each member of the NSJWC may take a tag (or two) and buy the gifts. Thanks to our generous club, all these children’s wishes will be granted this year!! The unwrapped gifts, with the tag attached, can be taken to Donna’s house by December 6th.
November Newsletter is UP
Last minute.. forgive me..
Find it here: November 2011 Newsletter
Email me at msamazin at yahoo.com with any concerns, questions, quandaries.
City Tins Fundraiser
We are taking orders for 2012 City Tins — these gift tins sell for just $25 and are filled with $10 coaster gift cards valid toward any purchase of $25 or more at 20 locally owned restaurants! A $200 value! Dine out a couple times, and you have re-couped your cost. These make fun hostess gifts, client appreciation gifts, or a gift to yourself to encourage going out to some of Milwaukee’s great restaurants. New this year is a Madison edition, too!
This is a fundraiser for our club. At the end of each club year, we disburse surplus funds to charity. Last summer, for example, we were able to give $850 to local non-profits including Dry Hootch, Trees from Home, the Ozaukee Humane Society, St. Ben’s Meal Program, and the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin.
To order, contact any member of our club, or email nsjwc@yahoo.com to order. Last year, these sold out — so order early for holiday giving!
Happy Halloween
A few of us and our kids assisted with a local pumpkin display — a long-standing tradition in Whitefish Bay organized by the civic foundation. Volunteering is simple: light the pumpkins, assist with carving, and anything else that may be needed. This fun, wholesome and incredibly well-run event relies on people to help each evening. This is one of many local events where you will often see our members lending a hand.
We had kids in tow (altogether I think there were 8 of our kids joining us), including Liz’s who have volunteered at this event for YEARS. They are pros. I wanted to snap a photo of our kids working together, but they were pretty busy running around, enjoying the music, climbing up to light the highest pumpkins, and helping in the carving tent. Fun night had by all!
Lakeshore District re-cap
Are you an influencer? perfectionist? director? Mary Kay and I attended the Lakeshore District meeting and found out our personality type. We also heard what other clubs are accomplishing, learned about the district finances, and enjoyed a silly skit acted out by our sister clubwomen. I have never attended a General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) event, and there was so much information that I thought I would put a re-cap here in advance of our October general meeting with links for more info. Use as you wish!
- The conservation committee is raising funds to continue to maintain Trees for Tomorrow.
- If you did not get the recent Clubwoman, it is available here.
- Three district clubs are participating in Quilts of Valor. Contact Ellen Weber if you want to assist.
- As part of the GFWC-WI Juniors Special Project, members are knitting red and blue scarves for the Winter Special Olympics. Scarves are to be 56-60″ long and 6″ wide.
- There is a call for nominations for the Theodora Youmans Citizenship Award.
- GFWC Sock Project assists survivors to Step Away From Abuse.
- The district passed a resolution in support of state legislation to ban the sale of grain alcohol.
- All members are encouraged to participate in the arts and crafts contest. Poetry and Short Story entries are due Jan 31. All other entries are to be submitted April 12, noon-3pm at the West Allis library. Perhaps some of us can channel our inner-Helene!
- I have a packet of information re: the Helen Mears Arts contest.
- The Lakeshore District is hosting the state annual meeting in May. Mary Kay and I volunteered to be on the planning committee.
- The GFWC-WI Juniors have immediate openings in leadership: Junior Director Elect, Junior Special Project Chair, and Membership Chair.
- The GFWC-WI Executive Committee is inducted at the state meeting in May. Liz S. is on the nominating committee, so let her know if you are interested.
Pat Mueller (one of NSJWC's charter members), Lakeshore District President Nancy Honadel, Helen Witte from the Brown Deer Women's Club
- Feb 18, 2012 – GFWC-WI Winter Workshop, Warren, WI
- April 12, 2012 – arts and craft contest, West Allis, WI
- April 2012 – GFWC-WI Lakeshore District Meeting
- May 18-20 – GFWC-WI Annual Convention, Milwaukee, WI
- June 18-20 – GFWC International Convention, Charlotte, NC
“No matter how you feel…. get up, dress up, and show up.”
October Newsletter Posted
It’s up and ready for you all to see (minus the budget). Find it on the Newsletter and Minutes page as October 2011 Newsletter
Any questions, concerns, complaints–contact Jennifer at msamazin at yahoo.com
Fun Volunteer Night
A group of us recently got together to help a local organization send a piece of the holidays to 2500 troops. Our members are active in many organizations, including this one. Cynthia serves on the Trees from Home board and has become quite the pro with a glue gun! In addition to our hands-on help to this non-profit organization, we gifted them with a cash donation as part of our minor disbursement process.
