GFWC Indiana Federation of Clubs

Annual Convention, April 25-26, 2014

Winners &

Why They Won

Arts Program

1st Place Winner-- GFWC/IFC Chesterton Woman’s Club

For the past 62 years the members of the Chesterton Woman’s Club have continued to sponsor a non-juried art show open to artist not only in Indiana but also in neighboring states. This year’s show displayed over 100 works of art at the Chesterton Art Gallery.

Members were involved in sending out invitations, mailing donation request letters, printing posters and programs, contacting area newspapers and radio stations for coverage of the show, providing refreshments for the opening ceremony and served as hostess for the show. Profits from this show helped to fund donations to other community projects. Two other major projects were also listed on the club’s report totaling 575 hours dedicated to the arts.

2nd Place Winner-- GFWC/IFC Lowell Women’s Club

Through the Language Arts Department at the Lowell Middle School this club continued to sponsor a poetry and short story contest for the 6, 7 and 8 grades. Along with a local poet club members judged all the entries. Certificates and monetary prizes were awarded by club members at the school’s May Award Program. Winner’s photos along with an article then are published in three area newspapers.

This club also sponsored a dedication ceremony at their public library for a large mural painted in the children’s section. They provided refreshments, entertainment and held a silent auction of donated items which raised $500. That money was in turn donated back to the Library. A total of 404 hours were dedicated to the arts for this club.

3rd Place Winner-- GFWC Munster Junior Women’s Club

This club dug deep to be creative using paper bags. Several club members are involved in delivering Meals on Wheels to members of the community. To spread a little sunshine to those recipients this club organized local groups of children such as Girl Scout groups, Boy Scout groups, church groups, etc. to decorate the paper bags used for cold food items delivered with the meals. Some bags had decorative scenes on them while other showed creativity with designs. The bags were such a hit that many Meals participants have started saving the decorated bags as a remembrance that others do care for them.

This club also helped make booties for the IFC State Convention table decorations.

Conservation Program

1st Place Winner—GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubGFWC Highland Woman’s Club reported on three projects that all members participated in. All members reported recycling plastic, glass, and paper on a regular basis through the community recycling programs. The ladies maintain a planter on the town’s bike trail that is taken care of throughout the year. This year, along with annuals and perennials, the club planted pinwheels and displayed signs with information about Pinwheels for Prevention. Flowers were donated to the Hobart Girl Scouts to plant and help beautify the Respite Home. The club reported donating 42 volunteer hours and $410 from 100% member participation.

2nd Place Winner-- GFWC/IFC Lowell Women’s Club Seven projects were completed by the GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s Club in 2013. Highlights include all members collecting and donating their pill bottles to a local verterinarian to help keep costs down and ladfills less filled. Newspapers are recycled as well as a special collection twice a year of hazard wasted items. A Tulip tree was purchased for a newly built school’s landscape, and the ladies maintain the tree throughout the summer. At a meeting, part of the program was that trash bags were distributed to each member, and the members walked through the neighborhood cleaning up litter. The fifteen members spent 77 hours, $40 and $184 in-kind to find great successs to conserving their community.

3rd Place Winner—GFWC/IFC Progress Club of South BendThe Lincoln Highway Beautification Community Program has been an on-going project for the club for 14 years. The history of this Lincoln Highway Project reaches back 100 years when the GFWC Women were encouraged to plant the Lincoln Highway, a transcontinental highway and beautification project. The GFWC logo and Lincoln Highway Association signs are a part of this historic viaduct area that is maintained by the club. The club also works closely with the Lincoln Highway Historical Program with a member of the club as a board member. The club also provides KIND NEWS for two preschool programs. The Progress Club donated $1,213.45 toward the projects, $275 in-kind donations and 152 hours.

Education Program

1st PLACE GFWC Highland Woman's ClubThis club provided school supplies and backpacks for low income families in their community. All club members participated in this project that was coordinated with the school counselors for identification for the recipients. Some of the member’s children even helped put together the backpacks. This club also raises funds to award scholarships to college bound individuals. This year they were able to award three scholarships and these recipients were either physical or learning disabilities. This club collects Box Tops for Education and also collects stamps for a stamp collecting program for Stamp Camp USA. They also made a donation to their District Nurses Scholarship.

2nd PLACE GFWC/IFC West Baden Research ClubThis club has an ongoing project for the last 19 years. They have a book on the history of their community and this year it was time to do a revision because of a request from a community council. This book revision would include more information about the surrounding county. The council wanted to distribute the book to the school students throughout the area and have it as part of their education about the community. This club partnered with various businesses and foundations in order to make this project happen.

3rd PLACE GFWC Eggleston ClubThis club worked an impressive 1,491 hours on the Anniversary celebration of their town. Their club donated many hours helping with the celebration events, but more than that, they had members that created a history book and a history coloring book for the celebration. The coloring books were given to each 4th grader in the county schools. The books were also available for sale during the bicentennial. Members also helped in schools with tutoring and reading for classes.

Education Partnership

1st Place--GFWC/IFC ESO Joyce Wargo Reading Club

Library Display Window – During the month of September the club utilized two display windows to “show off’ their reading club making the community aware of all volunteer projects and explain what GFWC is all about. Books, bookmarks, book lists, samples of their community projects, awards, pictures, club’s handbook, brochures, scrapbook and GFWC T shirt.

Friends of the Library – Club members volunteer at the library assisting patrons, organizing shelves, helping at the annual book sale and donating over 120 books, videos, and other publications for the book sale.

ESO - Members select books from the state and GFWC lists. One book a month is selected and discussed at the monthly meetings. Over 1200 hours were devoted to reading.

Dedicates a half hour at each meeting for book reports, members receive copies of the state and national reading lists, 14 members, 10,350.50 hours

Home Life Program

1st Place—GFWC Progess Club of South BendThis club had a total of 21 projects donated $8,525.00 with $10,635.00 of "in-kind" donations, worked a total of 1,174 hours, and all of this clubs 50 members participated in one way or another. They participated in the "Relay for Life" program. The Stone soup Community program is another project they assist with, making 44 goodie boxes filled with various supplies. They also brought joy and fellowship to members who were homebound, in nursing homes, or needed rides to club meetings or doctor appointments. They continue to help with Dismas house, Goodwill industries of Michiana, and a new project to help raise funds for Dismas house was Bingo for Bags. High end purses were used as prizes for this event they were able to donate $600.00 to the Dismas house from this event. They also had a new project this year. They sponsored a Luvability Dinner. They sponsored a dinner to raise funds for those with developmental disabilities. These funds offset the expenses of day services, camp and family retreats for this population.

2ND PLACE – GFWC Munster Junior Women's ClubThis clubs 32 members donated $2360.00 and 329 hours towards 6 projects. They once again particiapated in the Meals on Wheels program. They deliver 16-20 meals to the elderly or disabled. They also participate in the Food Bank of NW Indiana. They pack up 300 meals in a 2 hour shift. This year they bagged up 2100 meals. They paraticipated in the "Romp and Roll" walk-a-thon, the Multiple Sclerosis walk-a-thon, the Avon " Team Hope" walk for breast cancer. They donate monies to various charities such as Canine Companions, cystic fibrosis, the Whiting animal shelter and Habitat for Humanity. Not to mention the ALS association and Crohn's and Colitis foundation of America (CCFA).

3RD Place – GFWC Hearts & Hands This clubs 13 members donated $1,717.00 in 131 hours with 5 projects. This club provides healty snack packs to the Noblesville Boys and Girls club. They host a BINGO at the local living center in February where members brought bingo prizes and cookies for refreshments. They

sponsor a Good Samaritan family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They also made 11 fleece blankets that donated to St. Vincent Hospital to be given to the patients in the Transitional Care Unit.

Honorable Mention—GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubThis clubs members participated in 8 projects raising $1175.00, In-Kind donations of $1100.00 and all of this in 88 hours. This club participated in the Annual Romp and Roll cancer resource centers fund raiser walk. They donated to the Canine Companions, The Sisters of Charity Soup Kitchen. They played Secret Santa to a local family, they had a speaker from Habitat from Humanity, and made comfort kits in conjuction with the Montessori Childrens schoolhouse. They also donated food to the Salvation army.They gave financial donations to the Epilepsy Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Parkinson Foundation, Humane society, St.Vincent DePaul walk for the Poor, Hospice and Respite Care.

Home Life Partnership1st Place Winner-- GFWC/IFC WOMEN IN ACTIONThis 9-member club had 4 participating members, completed three projects, spent 75 volunteer hours and donated $200 to CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE. In September, Linda & Leland (her CCI service animal) did a demo at Stony Run County Park in Hebron, IN for approximately 50 autistic kids and their parents. They also did a demo at Alsip Home & Nursery in St. John, IN for approximately 100 people. In November at the Great Lakes Convention, a handmade doggie bag filled with dog treats was raffled off and that money was sent to CCI.

2nd Place Winner -- GFWC/IFC PROGRESS CLUB OF SOUTH BENDThis 50-member club had 50 participating members, completed one project, spent 1 hour and donated $500.00. A $500 check was presented to the partnership CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE.

3rd Place Winners – GFWC/IFC ESO REGIONAL READERSThis 13-member club completed two projects, spent 20 volunteer hours and donated $140 to CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE. Leland is our mascot and he performed many demos. His demonstrations show how a canine can help a person with a disability. Club members also donated to CCI by purchasing items at the CCI gift shop.

International Outreach Program

1st Place – GFWC Munster Junior Woman’s ClubThis club that has 32 members participating in three projects, which included the Life for the World/Haitian Orphanage project in Port au Prince, Haiti. This non-profit organization takes care of children and provides food, shelter, and an education at the Maranatha Orphanage. They have supported this organization for several years and continue; to sponsor a child named Nathalie. In addition to the sponsorship, they have purchased two goats for her. Their donations for this project total $510 with 20 hours of volunteer time.

This club also supports “Operation Christmas Child”. This organization shares God’s love through life-changing experiences using simple shoeboxes provided by members and filled with items to send to children in 130 countries, delivered by Samaritan’s Purse. Their donations for this project totaled $406.

Through their fundraisers, this club also supports Heifer Project, Operation Smile, Shot@Life and PET (Personal Energy Transportation) totaling $1,610.

2nd PLACE -- GFWC/IFC ESO Joyce Wargo Reading ClubThis club continues to support the signature project the “wish list” for Every Child’s Ministries”. The goal of the founders of this organization is to provide a Christian education for school children in Africa’s Congo. Fifteen participating members save greeting card fronts onto which they trace a variety of shapes (hearts, circles, stars, butterflies). They also trace, cut and attach Bible verses to each shape. Members have workshops at their meetings and also continue to assemble the shapes on their own time. They have presented 1,252 award plaques to every Child Ministries. They spent 790 hours on this project with an in-kind donation of $100. Also, as part of their partnership with Every Childs Ministries, 15 members made pillowcase dresses and skirts during a special meeting. They also purchased shorts for the little boys. Five members spent a total of 24 hours to provide 17 dresses, 28 skirts and four pairs of shorts for the children. Members also continue to collect empty prescription medicine vials to shop to the American Foundation for Children with Aids. They have mailed a total of 745 empty vials. The fifteen members have volunteered 1,391 hours with in-kind donations of $254.

3rd PLACE -- GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman's ClubThis club participated in 8 projects donating 109 hours of time. Three projects were dedicated to "Every Child Ministries". This is an organization that rescues and rehabilitates slave children and women. The club purchased fabric and sewed 10 skirts and sent them to the ministry. The clubwomen also collected 25 pairs of children’s and adult size shoes and assorted sizes of

children’s clothing to be sent to the area of most need in order to prevent foot fungus that affects the people of this region. They also sent 100 covers of greeting cards so the people of the region could make and sell them like bookmarks. Another project consisted of making four blankets and donating them to the “Million Moms Challenge” a maternity ward in Kenya. Ten members gathered and purchased necessary items for SOS care packages that were packed by them and then delivered to troops overseas for Christmas. Donations for all the projects totaled $143.84 with in-kind donations totaling $359. Fifteen members of the club participated in the projects.

International Outreach Partnership1st PLACE – GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubGFWC Highland Woman’s Club had 20 members participate in 3 projects giving 30 hours and donations of $460. They also had in-kind donations of $300. This club in collaboration with Southridge Elementary “Girls on the Run” team made 30 dolls for Operation Smile. The club provided the materials and the girls made the dolls. They donated $240 for a child’s cleft lip surgery. They also donated items for Smile Bags.

2nd Place – GFWC Fayette County ESOThe GFWC/IFC Fayette County ESO had 10 members give 8 hours and donations of $57 and in-kind donations of $250. They continue to support Operation Smile. They gathered items and mailed a huge box to Operation Smile. The goal was to donate 26 of the items in honor of the 26 deaths at Newton School. They had three members who learned of the Shot@Life initiative sponsored by Walgreens. The pharmacy donated one shot to Shot@Life for every flu shot purchased. Members encouraged everyone to get a flu shot and to support Shot@Life through this program.

3rd Place – GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s ClubThe GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s Club had 15 members give 19 hours and donations of $75 along with in-kind donations of $10 to Heifer International. They viewed a video entitled “Twelve Stones”. After seeing how Heifer International work with illiterate women in Napal and helps these women journey out of poverty to self-reliance, they wanted to help. Heifer International’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. The Club donated fund for this community to receive two flocks of chickens.

Membership1st Place -- GFWC Highland Woman’s Club This club has put a priority on recruitment and retention of members. They have appointed a Membership Chairman, have created a club tri-fold brochure, use social media as well as local media to bring attention to their club, and advertise their club at all club projects and events. They retain members by regular communication via a monthly newsletter that recognizes club members’ accomplishments as well as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. They stay connected to GFWC by having the District President attend their recruiting event, by celebrating Federation Day, by their members’ involvement holding officer and chairman positions at the district, county, and state level, and by their members attendance at GFWC state, region and GFWC annual conventions.

2nd Place – GFWC Munster Junior Woman’s ClubThis club has had outstanding recruiting results because they are focused on membership. They recruit at every opportunity–at their town’s National Night Out Against Crime and Fourth of July parade, they participated and advertised their club. At all events, they present GFWC brochures; their local clubs insert, and display their club banner. They recruit via word of mouth, have a website, use social media, and advertise events in the local newspaper. They also focus on retaining their members. Their vice president is the new member liaison and constantly looks to recruit new members and make them feel welcome by keeping in touch with them throughout the year by phone and email. They also established a Member Care Committee to organize meals for funerals or sick/hospitalized members.

3rd Place -- GFWC Lowell Woman’s ClubThis club has put a special emphasis on membership this year after losing a few members last year, and their efforts have paid off. They have a number of social gatherings throughout the year to which they invite guests to celebrate with them, including a Federation Day Breakfast, Meet and Greet Halloween party, Christmas gathering, and Year End banquet; and they have recently started a monthly bunco/game night and monthly breakfasts. They wear their GFWC t-shirts, aprons and pins to advertise and have also placed GFWC brochures in the local library, Chamber of Commerce and Town Hall. They focus on retaining members by sending cards for birthdays and other events, flowers for sympathy when needed, and by visiting members in the hospital or during nursing home stays.

Public Issues Program

1st PLACE – GFWC Munster Junior Woman’s ClubThis club supported the Munster Fire Department open house by helping with their food service. The club participated in the National Night Out Against Crime supervising children’s activities. They sponsored a trip for two veterans to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington DC. They have three members participate on the Choice Community Council and give monetary support for partner with other community charities and donated to the USO.They had 32 members that donated $1,700 and spent 118 hours.

2nd PLACE - GFWC/IFC Progress Club of South BendThis club sponsored the Robert O. Miller Veteran’s Center by delivering cookies. They supported a Veterans Day potluck prepared and served by the members. Over 45 veterans were served and personal items such as socks, gloves, t-shirts, hair products, detergent, deodorant, etc. were donated by the members to the residents. This club also brought a workshop presented by the Kettering Foundation. This club donated $135 and spent 165 hours on their projects.

3rd PLACE - GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubThis club completed five projects and spent 42 hours and donated $600 with in-kind donations of $220. The donated to their local fire department, donated to WIMSA (Women in Military Service), say the pledge of allegiance at each meeting. They had their local police department bring the K9 Dutch to a meeting where they had a demonstration of his skills. They gave a donation to the K9 Fund, the Department in general, the Volunteer program. 10 members also attend and are active in the local crime watch meetings. The last project this club did was to provide Christmas Stockings for Homeless Veterans. They filled 20 stockings with toiletries and socks that went to the Homeless Veterans Shelter in Gary Indiana and provided for their children, also.

Public Issues Partnership

1st Place - GFWC /IFC ESO Regional ReadersThis club made a donation to the USO

2rd Place - GFWC/IFC Women in ActionThis club donated over 12 pounds of homemade cookies to our troops that were made by family and friends of the club. They had help from students who created banners and candy canes that were sent with the cookies.

Communication and Public Relations

First Place--GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman’s ClubThe club is a member of the Lowell Chamber of Commerce. Club members attend meetings and discuss possible projects and activities for their community. Copies of the Club woman Magazine are donated to the local library. The magazine is kept in the current events section of the library. A media record book was created to keep articles, photos, pamphlets and other related materials. 75 articles were written and published in the Hammond times, Lowell Tribune, Post Tribune and Family Flyer newspapers. Flyers were created to promote the club. Flyers were distributed at community events. A Facebook page was created. It is updated each time there is an event and also posts

on local Facebook pages and media outlets.

Second Place--GFWC Women’s Club of St. JohnClub members participate in the Festival of Lights Organization and businesses from the town purchase and decorate for Christmas. They donated $50 to sponsor a tree and then decorated it and posted a sign listing their activities. They created postcard size informational cards to hand out at events and fundraisers. The card is also included in the new resident packets that are distributed by the chamber of commerce. Club members helped the Chamber of Commerce with their Boo Bash Halloween Party for children. They served as judges and awarded prizes for the top three winners. Donations were made to St. John’s Park Department for the Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast with Santa events.

Third Place--GFWC Highland Woman’s ClubThe club displays their GFWC Sign and information at every event that they participate in. They also wear their GFWC Name Tags. The club decorates a Christmas tree at the Indiana Visitor’s Center. They decorate the tree is red, white and blue the color of the GFWC emblem. The tree is also decorated with angels with each member’s name along with symbols of each of their projects and organizations that they help throughout the year. Articles regarding the club activities are submitted to all media outlets. A yearbook is prepared with member’s information including families as well. Three worn out GFWC road signs were replaced. Several members are active in the district and state levels. Favors were donated to the Great Lakes Convention.

Fundraising and Development Program1st PLACE--GFWC Munster Junior Woman’s ClubThis Club had 28 members who worked on various fundraising projects to not just raise money for the club, but for other 501c3 organizations. Club members put in 345 hours to raise $7,985.00 and made $2,003.00 In Kind Donations at the Bunco Palooza where they raised money for Honor Flight Chicago. At a scrapbooking workshop they worked 16 hours raising $730.00 and donating $40.00 In Kind Donations of collected items for the local Humane Society. They spent 18 hours selling cheesecakes and raising $1,746.00. Members volunteered 9 hours to distribute flyers at the towns 4th of July parade and at a fundraiser for children with cancer supported by 20% of the sales from a local Ice Cream parlor. They raised $200.00 plus $20.00 of In Kind Donations. At the “Cowboy Up for Kids” 18 members volunteered 252 hours at the “Silver Buckle Saloon” to raise $1,000.00 plus In Kind Donations of $600.00 to support the local “Cop for Kids” program.

2nd PLACE--GFWC/IFC Progress Club of South BendClub members walked 9 hours for St. Margaret’s House raising $285.00. Members raised $1,475.00 by walking 48 hours in the “Relay for Life/Cancer Walk”. Members worked a total of 40 hours at “Bag Bingo for Dismas House and raised $980.00, while other members spent 131 hours raising $3,750.00 at a Luvability Annual Dinner. This past year the club found a new form of fundraising by volunteering to sell at the Notre Dame Women’s Basketball games, where 6 members volunteered at 9 games for 297 hours and raised $1,092.00 for the club.

3rd PLACE--GFWC Highland Woman’s Club Club members all put in 160 volunteer hours to help at their Annual Bunco Party, where they sold 120 tickets and from the $2,993.32 raised they donated $1,000.00 In Kind Donations. Members put in 20 volunteer hours selling flower vouchers for a local nursery and raising $420.00. Club members took turns working at a concession stand at the town park center. They enlisted donation of a popcorn machine from a local bank, $100 from a local grocery store and water/pop donations from a Pepsi bottling plant. They sold the popcorn, water and pop to earn 3603.96 in 500 volunteer hours. Three days in November the club was given 5% back for each day buyers presented a coupon from the club, when checking out. The club members put in 17 hours and made a profit of $107.00.

HONARABLE MENTION--GFWC Women’s Club of St. JohnClub members spent 130 hours and raised $3,505.00 at their Bunco for Breast Cancer event. They held a Rummage sale at the VFW. Members spent 36 hours of sorting and selling items donated and were able to raise $324.00 with unsold items valued at $200.00 In Kind Donations given to Goodwill.Club members spent 136 hours preparing and holding a Bowling for Education event at a local bowling alley. The money raised is for a $1,000.00 High School Scholarship. This year they

were able to raise $1,100.00. Finally members spent 14 hours at an Independence Day Bike Parade where they sold baked goods and raised $64.00.

Fundraising and Development Partnership

1st PLACE--GFWC Fayette County ESOThis club chose to partner with Uncle Al’s Pecans. The project was open to any member who wished to participate. Thirteen (13) members were able to raise $311.25.

2nd PLACE--GFWC/IFC ESO Joyce Wargo Reading ClubThis club placed their orders for bulbs with “Flower Power” in the spring. Ten members held one project in fifteen hours and earned 50% of profits for $241.00.

3rd PLACE--GFWC/IFC Wednesday Research Club of JasonvilleFour members over twenty five hours sold Uncle Al’s Pecans to raise $169.52 for the club.

HONARABLE MENTION--GFWC Hearts and HandsThirteen members, in ten hours earned $121.59 for the club, by trying their hands at selling cards for “It Takes Two”.

HONARABLE MENTION--GFWC Lincoln Club of Southern IndianaThree members sold bulbs with “Flower Power” and earned $78.50 for the club.

Leadership

1st Place—GFWC/ IFC E.S.O. Regional ReadersThis club has spent many hours contributing to the leadership of GFWC Indiana Federation of Clubs. Leadership roles held by these members:IFC PresidentIFC Presidential AdvisorState Fundraising Chairman2 Members on a District Board

1 County Board MemberState Jenny Award and Region Budget Chairman

2nd Place-- GFWC Fayette County ESOThis club has spent many hours contributing to the leadership of GFWC Indiana Federation of Clubs. Leadership roles held by these members:Great Lakes Region Officer2 State Presidential AdvisorsState Scholarship ChairmanDistrict Art Chairman3 State Chairman

3rd Place- GFWC Hearts and HandsThis club has spent many hours contributing to the leadership of GFWC Indiana Federation of Clubs. Leadership roles held by these members:2 State Officers2 District OfficersState ChairmanRegional Chairman2010 and 2013 Leads Graduate

Women’s History and Resource Center

1st Place –GFWC/IFC Lowell Woman's ClubThis club has a Federation Day. They invite past, present and future members. It gives them a day to talk about all things they have done. It gives the new and some old member’s history of the club. What better way to learn about the club is from the ones that have been in it?

Poetry1st Place – Nancy Caenepeel, GFWC IFC Progress Club of South BendNancy was chosen as the winning poetry writer because it speaks to it speaks to our hearts, fears, disappointments and broken dreams.

1st Place Youth Category--Allison Detmer, grade 6 sponsored by the Eggleston ClubHer poem shows the love and adventure of reading and how you can travel to anywhere in a book.

2nd Place Youth Poetry -- Makayla Harris, grade 4 sponsored by Eggleston ClubI choose this as second place winner because it shows one so young can be so excited about the history and the 200 year birthday of her town.

Writing

1st PLACE – Amber Detmer, grade 1 sponsored by the Eggleston ClubShort story titled, “Tyler and the Turkey”

Signature Project Domestic Violence and Prevention1st Place: GFWC Woman’s Club of St. JohnThis club supported in four different projects and helped two different shelters namely Haven House and Sojourner Truth House. This club met the criteria for the project “Step Away from Abuse” by donating 31 new pairs of women’s socks and 50 pairs of children’s socks of Haven House. They were packaged individually in clear bags with the labels attached that read: “As you begin your new life and Step Away from Abuse, we hope you find comfort and warmth as you walk into your newly found freedom, From the GFWC Women’s Clubs of St. John – a project of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs”. Fifteen of their 19 club members participated in the project. They also donated personal items to Haven House along with welcome packages containing personal necessities and cleaning items. The club also shared the awareness of the importance of domestic violence awareness and prevention by in the community by wearing purple ribbons that had been prepared by the club president. This was to be a reminder to others about the need to speak out against and educate others about domestic violence. 2nd Place - GFWC/IFC Progress Club of South BendSouth Bend club chose to support the St. Margaret’s House Community Program. This program provides a place for women to feel safe in their community. It is a place where a woman is treated with respect and people call her by her name. This is a day center that meets needs by providing food, clothing and other basic services and also offering educational enriching programs. Six of the club members also walked through downtown South Bend in February to raise money for the St. Margaret House Winter Walk. They also members participated in such activities as cooking meals, attending a fashion show and participating in the annual Christmas luncheon. One member helped to sell handmade silk scarfs made by the women at the Art Beat craft fair in South Bend. The club presented a program on Bridges Out of Poverty for their membership Because they were moved by the project, they gave a $1,000 donation into Bridges Out of Poverty. 3rd Place – GFWC Munster Junior Woman’s Club This club has continued its support for the Haven House. 13 members provided many home-baked desserts for the shelter’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. This is our 17th year participating in the Thanksgiving baking project. The club provides Haven House with collected toiletries and

baby items throughout the year. Clothes for Moms and children can be dropped off at a member’s house anytime and she makes runs to the shelter when needed.The Munster Juniors also took the leftover food from our Bunco, Scrapbook fundraising events, and from the MS Walk event to Haven House. Our member liaison coordinates the food needs of the house, and makes arrangements for a late evening delivery. This club also supports Fair Haven by planning Fair Haven’s annual walk-a-thon to fight domestic abuse, called the AGAPE Walk in the Park. AGAPE is the Greek word for unconditional love. The event was held on April 27, 2013 at Wicker Park in Highland, Indiana. Fair Haven was able to raise over $8,000 at this event.Two club members served on Fair Haven’s planning committee representing our club. The Munster Juniors donated $300 for a Gold sponsorship, with our club name listed on event signage and on Fair Haven’s web site. Committee members also organized raffle baskets. Other club members worked the registration table at the event, sold 50/50 and other raffle tickets, and helped with the set-up and clean-up. Along with the AGAPE we collect school supplies, Misc. items, and 100 recipes for their Survival Cook book and helped at the Holiday Vendor & Craft show benefiting Fair Haven.

GFWC Junior’s Special Project – Advocates for Children

1st Place--GFWC/IFC ESO Regional ReadersA member of the GFWC/IFC ESO Regional Readers presented a project idea at a club meeting that resulted in an outstanding club project. The member brought an example of a teddy bear for the club to consider making and then donating to the local family life center. Members agreed, and they completed 24 teddy bears in 36 hours using $58.00 in materials they donated. Another member then shared the project idea with a local sewing machine representative at a local fabric store, and she then shared the idea and pattern with other clubs and students in the area who also made teddy bears to give to their local hospitals. One member’s idea made a big difference to many children throughout her region. The Regional Readers also made “comfort pillows” for another project, but they had several left over. A friend of a member suggested the club donate the extras to a local hospital for children to use as pillows. A note from the hospital stated the pillows were gone in minutes, used for sleeping and for playing - a great alternate use for “leftovers”.

The Regional Readers “leftovers” the hospital asked the club to consider making receiving blankets to go with the pillows, and another project was born. The 13 members made 21 blankets, dividing them between the hospital and a local maternity center. The club plans on making more blankets in the future.

2nd Place--GFWC Munster Junior Woman’s ClubThe GFWC Muster Junior Woman’s Club completed three outstanding projects. For the seventh year in a row working with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, this club volunteers once a month to assemble weekend food backpacks at a local food bank to be to children in Northwest Indiana. Members volunteered 100 hours filling about 2100 backpacks during 2013.

Munster Juniors also raised over $1000 through a special fundraiser called Cowboy Up For the Kids in order to donate it to the local Cops for Kids program. Officers take children in need shopping for Christmas presents at Wal-Mart. Children may not have otherwise been able to receive any due to financial difficulties.

A third program by the Munster Juniors worked with the organization “Once Upon A Time is NOW”. This group works with girls to pick out a prom dress and the accessories for a young lady’s big night. Eight club volunteers gave their afternoon to give manicures, hair do’s, and makeup to get ready for the evening. Members donated almost $2000 in goods and services for the event.

3rd Place: GFWC Highland Woman’s Club

GFWC Highland Woman’s Club volunteered at the Girls on the Run 5k by helping with registration, passing out snacks, painting the girls’ nails, and other various jobs. Girls on the Run is a program for 3rd through 5th grade girls that works to instill confidence, acceptance for people’s differences, as well as teaching health lifestyles and giving back to the community. The club also made a $50 donation in addition to their 26 volunteer hours.

Highland WC financially supports and donated 15 hours of time to the Special Dances for Special People fundraiser. This organization helps special needs children socialize with other children, while their families support and network with other families.

This club continues to collect greeting card fronts to donate to St Jude’s Ranch. The Ranch uses the card fronts to repurpose into new cards and resell them to help fund various programs and activities.