Let’s
Celebrate, the 111th annual General Federation Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Pennsylvania Convention and Festival
of the Arts was held in Butler on May 1-3. Butler County Junior Women
Club member Maria Blose was Chairperson of the event. Over 200 women attended
the seminar held at the Pittsburgh Marriott North on Rte. 228 in Cranberry Twp. The
festivities began Thursday, May 1, 2008 with a day trip tour of the Maridon
Museum hosted by the Intermediate League of Butler.
Friday’s Let’s Celebrate Freedom luncheon was hosted by the Butler County Women’s Club of Mars. Patriotic centerpiece
donations were made to the St. John’s Specialty
Care Center, of Mars, PA.
The
Friday evening “Super Bowl” celebration was hosted by the Junior Women’s Club of Butler. Awards were presented for activities in the State Presidents Project. The table decorations were donated
to VOICe and the The Woodlands Foundation.
The Junior Women’s Club received the Make
a Difference in the Life of a Child award for the program R.E.C.E.S.S. of Butler
spearheaded by member Susan Hunter.
The R.E.C.E.S.S. Program (Resourcing Every Child Entering
School Soon) helps local children get ready for back-to-school in the Butler
County area. The program is run in cooperation with Children
and Youth Services and First
United Methodist Church
in Butler. For the 2007-2008 school year
the program provided 210 backpacks filled with items, as well as provided clothing and shoes to 64 children.
On Saturday May 3, 2008 a Leadership Workshop
was presented and Judge Marilyn Horan led the afternoon meeting with a discussion on empowered women.
Butler Junior Club President Lyric
Schnur received a LEADS (Leadership Education and Development Seminar) scholarship. Given to members who have the potential and desire to assume leadership positions in
GFWC, LEADS will provide participants with the capability, confidence and commitment to achieve higher office and serve with
distinction.
Kristen Salina the incoming President of
Jr. Club attended the GFWC PA President’s 2008-2010 term overview session in preparation for her upcoming presidency.
Other Jr. Club members on the convention planning committee were: Nicole Robinson,
Kris Bearer and Hollie Stevenson.
Butler County women have long been involved
in GFWC at local, county and state levels. Some of the state participants are:
3rd Vice President and Membership Committee
Chairman for the State, Gail Paserba
State Treasurer, Cathy Bronder
State Public Affairs Chairman for Community Safety Program, Donna Reeder
and Honorary Past State President, Ida Findley
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international women’s organization
dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.
The Junior Women’s Club of Butler has been a member of federation since 1929 and is known for their annual charity
benefit Twilight Magic in addition to numerous other community projects.
