General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) - Proud to be a Member!

In all 50 states and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members work locally to create global change. GFWC clubwomen are mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, doctors, teachers, and community leaders who are dedicated to enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

From our historic Headquarters in Washington, D.C., GFWC leaders and staff offer support and guidance to more than 100,000 members and more than 4,000 clubs, who collaborate on projects that touch lives in their own hometowns and around the globe.

GFWC is distinguished from other service organizations by the breadth of our outreach. Our community service programs span all areas of the lives of our members, their families, and communities: arts, conservation, education, home life, public issues, and international outreach.

In addition, GFWC has earned a reputation as a powerful force in the fight against domestic violence. GFWC was recognized on the floor of the United States Senate as “a gem among our midst” by Senator Joseph Biden (Del.) for our work in bringing hope to victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse. (November 16, 2006)

In 1994, GFWC founder Jane Cunningham Croly was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, N.Y. For her work in founding GFWC, Croly was said to have “set in motion the power of a vast, previously untapped and unorganized sisterhood of capable American women that would reshape American society.”

Our members work each day to continue this legacy and to reshape their communities to enhance the lives of others.

GFWC WV Junior Department Board & Council 2010-2012 at State Convention at the Greenbrier Resort

The club I am a member of - GFWC New River Jr. Women's Club at Fur Ball 2011 - Our Fundraiser for the New River Humane Society. We raised over $14,000 for the humane society at this event!

Fayette-Nicholas Chapter America Red Cross - One of my Favorite Organizations

Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering. Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers and donations! If you can help volunteer as an instructor, emergency worker, in the office, or other capacity please call your local chapter! If you don't have time to volunteer, any size donation can help your community!

Women of West Virginia Takin’ It to the Hoop

March Madness is upon us and basketball fans can’t get enough.  If your bracket is a bust and your team didn’t make it to the final four, don’t worry the season isn’t quite over.  The West Virginia Blazers will still be taking it to the hoop in an all-star event.  Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia and the West Virginia Blazers to host the Slam Dunk 2011 Women Edition charity basketball game on Friday, April 1^st.

The West Virginia Blazers, the state’s only professional basketball team and part of the American Basketball Association, will play against the All-Star Women Build Team.  Coached by Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier and coach of the Greenbrier East High School girls basketball team, the team will be made up of women throughout the state including, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe (Manager of the State Fair of West Virginia), Rudi Raynes-Kidder (West Virginia Sheriff’s Association), Natalie Tennant (West Virginia Secretary of State), Kristi Atha-Rader (Mrs. West Virginia International 2011), and members of GEHS’s girls basketball team, among others.

The West Virginia Blazers and Habitat for Humanity aspire to make this an annual event. The first Slam Dunk event, which took place last year in Jackson County, West Virginia, raised over $10,000 for the construction of the 600^th WV Habitat house.  All of the proceeds from the Slam Dunk 2011 event will go towards the construction of the Women Build house located in White Sulphur Springs.

“After playing in the Habitat for Humanity game at Ripley High School last year I was hoping I’d be asked to participate once again. I was elated when Habitat for Humanity West Virginia called me to bring my (average) basketball skills back to the court to help build another Habitat House. This is such a worthwhile program. The players have fun, the audience has some good laughs at our expense, and best of all, a lucky family receives a beautiful new home. Habitat, along with the West Virginia Blazers and other sponsors made this a tremendous experience last year and I expect nothing less this time in Greenbrier County!”  says Rudi Raynes-Kidder Executive Director of the West Virginia Sheriffs’ Association.

The Women Build 2011 is a joint venture between Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia and Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, and it will be the first Habitat home in Greenbrier County built by all women.  Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, which merged with Habitat for Humanity Greenbrier in July 2010, is partnering with a hard-working, local single mother of four children currently homeless to build a safe, decent, affordable house for her and her children.  The Women Build house is planned, funded, and built under the leadership of women. From framing the walls to installing the finishing trim, this house will be solely constructed by women from all across the state of West Virginia.

Along with the game activities, area businesses and organizations will be represented at vendor booths in the corridor area outside of the gymnasium. Additionally, 102.3 The Ticket radio station will broadcast live from the high school beginning at 5:00pm. The Slam Dunk 2011 Women Build Edition event will take place on Friday, April 1, 2011 at Greenbrier East High School. The doors will be open to the public beginning at 5:00pm and the game begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are $5 per person, children 5 and under get in free. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.wvblazers.com/ or at the door prior to the game. For additional information, please call Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity at 304-647-3342.

Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity has served Eastern West Virginia for over 20 years providing safe, decent, affordable homes to hundreds of families.  To date the organization has built and sold 110 new homes and performed repairs on over 350 additional homes, all in partnership with low-income families in need, making their dream of homeownership a reality.  Habitat for Humanity partners with volunteers and low-income Partner Families to build or renovate houses that are then sold to the partner families at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage. 

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia is to assist Habitat for Humanity affiliates with providing safe, decent, affordable housing for all West Virginia families in need.

Welcome to my Blog!

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by my newly launched blog! I am a very busy lady this time of year with my husband and daughter, full time job, and part time accounting business (the crunch of tax season is here)! I still try to make time to do things as a volunteer though. No matter how busy you are, sometimes it can just take a few minutes to make a huge difference in someone's life! That's where my platform of volunteerism comes to mind - "If not you, then who?" Seriously, if you aren't willing to take the time or make the sacrifice to help others, then who else will? We should all take pride in the things that we can do to help others and put forth our best effort to make the world a little better for our friends, family, and neighbors! That's all for now, but stay tuned.....I hope to post pics next weekend from a charity basketball game that I will be playing in on Friday, April 1 at 6:30 PM at Greenbrier East High School. Proceeds from the event will go to Habitat for Humanity and the first Woman Build home in Greenbrier County, WV!