How Can YOU help Our Local Community?

I know that so many people want to get involved, to help locally...but they just don't know how. Here's an idea: JOIN US AT OUR NEXT MEETING!! Honestly, we are always looking for additional members who want to get involved and make a different. We have a ton of different projects and organizations that we already support, but we are always, always open to additional ideas, so if there is a cause that is near and dear to your heart, suggest it and let us help you be the change!

Our next meeting is May 2nd at 6:30PM in Lexington Oaks. We would love to see you there.

GFWC Pasco Juniors Help Welcome Home Honor Flight

Honor Flight, Mission 29, returned with a jetload of veterans coming back from their Tuesday, April 25th visit to Washington, DC.  They arrived at the Clearwater-St Petersburg airport.  The Honor Flight had many welcoming crews and signs!  Members of GFWC and Canine Companions helped to welcome home the veterans with signs and cheers. 

The GFWC International Outreach Community Service Program

The GFWC International Outreach Community Service Program is de-signed to enable members to become better world citizens through advocacy, educa-tion, and action, which will, in turn, affect change in and for our global friends and their communities.
GFWC members can’t always be physically present to assist and make changes in countries around the world; however, members can be assured the donations made through our partnership agencies are reaching those in the greatest need.  There are countless ways to support global development and make a lasting difference.

Consider raising cultural awareness; celebrating ethnicities; conducting fundraising activities to support healthy child development; advocating  for basic human needs such as food, water, clothing, and education;  and promoting self-sufficiency. 

Half of the world’s population, over two billion people, lives on less than $2.00 a day and 21,000 children die each day  due to poverty, hunger, and easily preventable dis-eases. GFWC  encourages our clubs to reach beyond their own communities to  the global community to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, their families,

IDEAS

• Help children all over the world by funding life-saving vaccines.
• Participate in international cultural exchanges.
• Educate your club and community about major issues and challenges facing people in developing countries.
• Support the development of healthy and sustainable communities around the world.
• Ensure children have access to health, education, equality, and protection.
• Provide support and encourage growth and sustainability by donating gifts such as livestock to families in need.
• Educate members about United Nations programs concerning women and children.
• Promote legislation in support of human rights around the world.
• Provide members with direct service opportunities for persons in developing countries through our  program partners.  (Heifer International, Operation Smile, Shot@Life,  UNICEF)
• Help ensure that children and families have access to clean water by providing wells.
• Make and send pillow-case dresses to Little Dresses for Third World Countries.

All About the GFWC Home Life Community Service Program

THE GFWC HOME LIFE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM deals with  issues that affect the well-being of individuals, families and communities  by providing opportunities and resources to meet and address needs through volunteering. Clubs may develop and imple-ment projects that promote a healthy lifestyle, increase awareness, prevention, research, and treatment of  disease; target personal development; address the issues of  hunger, inadequate housing, and homelessness; and/or prevent  or correct 􀀀inancial dif􀀀iculties, women’s health, theft prevention, service dog programs, people with disabilities, healthy lifestyles, and childcare.

IDEAS

• Research problems in your community that are largely unaddressed and identify those who are underserved.   Work on programs & projects that focus on the identified needs.
• Promote the acquisition of correct health and safety information from the Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention at www.CDC.gov.
• Plan programs on women’s heart health. Expand the programs beyond the club level to in-volve the community. Utilize information located at www.hearttruth.gov for program ideas.
• Sponsor a National Wear Red Day® celebration (First Friday in February each year).
• Learn the basic facts about gynecologic cancer, including risk factors and screening options. Establish information sharing sessions and utilize resources located at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge/.
• Plan programs on breast cancer awareness.
• Offer free mammograms to the needy.
• Organize and/or participate in health fairs and forums.
• Learn about proper medication utilization and the issues with prescription drug addiction.
• Create a resource list of local women’s clinics and health centers and distribute it in public areas such as shelters, places of worship, and libraries.
• Educate club members and the community regarding the “Make the First Five Count” Initia-tive.  Visit www.Makethefirstfivecount.org for information.
• Visit the autism website to learn more about autism. Utilize the knowledge to educate others within  the community.
• Incorporate fitness activities into your club and community activities, including walking or yoga.  Sponsor a fun run.
• Start an exercise group in your club, then initiate a weight loss challenge in your club and keep  track of pounds lost.
• Promote healthy self-esteem and self-worth.
• Organize financial workshops for women, retirees, single parents, and/or college students.
• Work with local food banks and homeless shelters to provide needed donations, stock shelves,  and provide other volunteer services.
• Work with local agencies that provide supportive services to the homeless and mentally chal-lenged  by volunteering at fundraisers and local events.
• Partner with a local nursing home or mental health facility to enhance the quality of life for the elderly  and disabled.
• Organize clothing drives. Partner with other local agencies to dis-tribute to the needy.
• Participate/ donate to Canine Companions for Independence (Dog Fest)

All About the GFWC Education Community Service Program

The goal of the GFWC Education Community Service Program is to develop  projects that will help improve the quality of life and create  a better world.
Article 26 of the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration  of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to education.” GFWC clubs know that education can open doors and expand opportunities and freedoms for their members, their communities, and the world. Education contributes to fostering peace, democracy, and economic growth, as well as improving health and reducing poverty.  Focus is on the following areas.

1. Libraries -Having founded over 474 public libraries and 4,655 traveling libraries in the 1930s, The American Library Association credited GFWC with establishing 75% of America’s public libraries. In the 21st century,    libraries continue to be an important part of our communities, demonstrated by a 2013 survey in which 90% of Americans, ages 16 and older, said the closing of their local public library would have an impact on their community. 
2. Schools– any project related to any kind of school!
3. Literacy-Literacy is a subject that creates widespread community concern and support. Additionally, literacy affects all people in virtually every aspect of their daily lives. Talk to your local and county school boards, as well as literacy organizations, and use your imagination to create unique and original projects that capture a variety of audiences.  
4. Scholarships -Most GFWC clubs and federations give scholarships & they range in amounts. No matter how small a scholarship may be, each one is important to the recipient.  There is a step-by-step plan on scholarships in the GFWC Club manual. 
5. Epsilon Sigma Omicron -ESO is an honorary educational society open to all per-capita dues  paying GFWC  members. ESO provides clubwomen with a structured read-ing program that is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. ESO   materials are available online at www.gfwc.org/what-we-do/community-service-programs/epsilon-sigma-omicron. 
6. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)- Since 1958, more than 425,000 students have begun their leadership journey with HOBY. Annually, more than 10,000 high school students from across the country and around the world participate in HOBY programs, such as:  Community Leadership Workshops,  State Leadership Seminars, World Leadership Congress and  Advanced Leadership Academy. 

For more ideas for the above categories please refer to the 2016-18 GFWC Club Manual— there are far too many to list here. 

All about the GFWC Conservation Community Service Program

The GFWC Conservation Community Service Program is designed  for members to gain an appreciation for our environment. Members  are encouraged to increase awareness of conservation issues, work  to preserve, maintain and restore our natural resources, preserve habitats for plants and animals, and participate in endeavors to beautify and sustain the world around us. Our natural resources include, but are not limited to, water, trees, plants, air, land, and wildlife.

IDEAS

•  Educate young people about the importance of protecting our natural resources.
• Invite local experts and members of community organizations to speak at club meetings about  conservation and beautification practices.
• Write op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, and press releases about important conservation issues  in your community and submit them to your local media.
• Plant native species for beautification and restoration of land and waterways.
• Clean up along roadways, waterways, and trails.
• Implement beautification projects at parks, hospitals, shelters, cemeteries, & other community  gathering places.
• Clean up trash after youth and adult sport and community events.
• Encourage preservation of historic properties.
• Visit a state or national park.
• Tour a botanical garden.
• Honor individuals and businesses for their gardens and civic pride with a “Garden of the Month” project.
• Plant and care for trees and donate funds for reforestation plans.
• Create community gardens to promote self-sufficiency.
• Advocate and investigate local food and where it comes from.
• Preserve natural habitats to protect wildlife.
• Provide local shelters and sanctuaries with needed items for animal rehabilitation and care.
• Support curbside recycling programs, utilize drop-off and buy-back recycling centers, or organize  a recycling program if none exist.
• Work with local officials and organizations to facilitate proper disposal of unused medicine and needles.
• Participate and/or volunteer at a local household hazardous waste collection day event.
• Visit a landfill and discover the waste disposal practices which are in place to protect the land, air, and water.
• Implement energy conservation practices in your clubhouse, home, office, & public buildings.
• Investigate renewable energy projects and sources in your area.
• Participate in an awareness day such as Arbor Day, America Recycles Day, Earth

All about the GFWC Arts Community Service Program

The GFWC Arts Community Service Program encourages mem-bers to promote and support arts activities in their clubs, schools, and communities. It is designed to  inspire clubwomen.   As Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” The goal is to create programs and projects that include music, literature, dance, drama, theatre, and other arts related areas, both traditional and innovative. 

IDEAS:

• Host an art supply drive within your club. Contact your local school district or   com-munity center  to see what is needed.
• “Hire” student jazz combos, string quartets, or even the whole band to perform at club events.
• Hold a fundraiser to purchase a large piece of equipment for your local schools’ art, music,  or drama departments, such as a potter’s wheel, kiln, microphones, or tech-nology.)
• Attend public art displays, plays, and concerts as part of a social event for your club.
• Use member art for club cookbook covers, greeting cards, program covers, etc.
• Sponsor ads in local theater or school theatre playbills.
• Use an artistic event to raise funds to sponsor local community art and cultural programs.
• Sponsor an author visit to your local library.
• Establish scholarships for students studying the arts such as literature, drama, or music.  This could be to attend an arts school or summer camp.
• Establish awards that acknowledge the artistic achievements of club and  community members.
• Sponsor Youth Art Month activities in your community during the month of March.
• Establish and support artist-in-residence programs and artist speakers.
• Members enter the District 8 Arts competition in February.
• Members attend the District 8 Arts meeting in Zephyrhills in February.

March of Dimes Upcoming Event

March of Dimes, which is a partner to the GFWC will be sponsoring their annual March for Babies Walk on Saturday, April 29  8am at Wiregrass Mall.  We would love to have a club team.  To join and make a donation use this link: https://www.marchforbabies.org/EventInfo/?si=&PersonId=&EventID=18398&SeId=ViewBag.SelectedTeamEventId 

Laurel and Sharon plan to walk and would love to have others join them!