News & Notes – May 9, 2019

Book Your Convention Hotel Room

GFWC’s Group Rate for the JW Marriott Austin is filling up so make your reservation today! The room block closes Thursday, June 13, and the rate is $174 for single/double and $184 for triple/quad occupancy.

Options to Register at the Group Rate

• ONLINE (recommended)—Visit the JW Marriott website and follow the easy steps.
• CALL (general reservation number)—P: 844-473-3959.

If problems arise, contact Jennifer Simpson at jsimpson@gfwc.org. Register for Convention by June 1, book your hotel room by June 13, and get excited for GFWC’s biggest event of the year!

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Support Our Convention Raffle

Help make the Lone Star Raffle a success the size of Texas! If you, your club, or your district would like to donate a prize, fill out the raffle donation form and send to Jennifer Simpson at jsimpson@gfwc.org. Donations can be sent to GFWC Headquarters if delivered by June 1. Or you can bring your donation to Convention if the form is sent beforehand. Small and lightweight items that travel easily are recommended, such as:

• Jewelry and Scarves
• Electronics and Gadgets
• Handbags
• Gift Cards with national appeal

Donate to the 2019 Convention Raffle to spread joy among fellow GFWC clubwomen. From the useful to the unique, each donation is truly appreciated!

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

In a given year in the United States, approximately 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Despite that prevalence, mental illness is still stigmatized. Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, aims to end discrimination through education, support, and advocacy.

Change starts with you this month!

• Invite a professional to discuss mental health at a club meeting.
• Support an organization that supports mental health.
• Volunteer at your local crisis center.
• Learn about signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Encourage your community to attend health screening events.

Use this month as an opportunity to start a dialogue about mental health with your friends, family, and neighbors.

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State President’s Project: Rhode Island, Karen Leach

Karen Leach says “goodbye” to an incredible lady and vet.

Focusing on veterans for her State President Project seemed only natural to Karen Leach after 30 years of related volunteer experience with GFWC. Victory, Rhode Island’s first known all-women Honor Flight on April 6 at 5:00 a.m., was the perfect project to engage her network of women veterans from planning Valentine’s for Vets and other events in Rhode Island.

Karen wanted to recognize the countless women who have played a vital role in all areas of the armed services. Victory’s flight demonstrated that women in the military are not only nurses but also pilots, technical assistants, mailroom workers, embarkation managers, and many other occupations.

In the beginning, Karen’s goal was to raise $1,000 to sponsor two veterans. It was very easy to raise this amount, thanks to Rhode Island Honor Flight Hub’s Chief Farrell, Women’s Veterans Affairs in Rhode Island, social media, and newspaper articles. The amount of money raised grew and grew! Ultimately, 44 women veterans all the way up to age 96 flew to Washington, DC on Honor Flight Victory. The women ranged from 1940’s nurses to an active-duty doctor in Afghanistan.

GFWC Rhode Island and 186 members arranged a large fundraiser at Magnolia’s Salon that involved a variety of businesses, but the 25 hairstylists and nail technicians in boot-camp gear were the stars. With the help of sponsors and fundraisers, clubwomen partnered with Rhode Island Fire Chief’s Honor Flight to put Victory in the air. The airport was packed to both welcome and say farewell to the heroes.

Check out more photos on GFWC’s Pinterest!

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Cares & Concerns

We send our condolences to Jean Brown, Past GFWC Connecticut State President (2002-2004) on the passing of her husband, Richard Brown. Cards of condolence can be sent to: Jean Brown, 92 Captain Wooster Road, Oxford, CT 06478-1327.

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Volunteers in Action

GFWC California’s Southern District, Olympia Woman’s Club (Washington), and Farmingdale Women’s Club (New York) are featured on GFWC’s Blog.

Have a success story to tell? Email pr@gfwc.org.

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Thank You Tuesday

“Mentoring May” is the theme of this month’s #ThankYouTuesday. We want to hear about the opportunities GFWC has created for you to give and receive mentorship! Share your experiences on our Facebook post.

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Photography Contest Deadline: May 15

For state winners of the World in Pictures Contest to be eligible for national judging, State Photography Contest Chairmen must submit entries with a cover letter listing the winning submissions by category and the signed GFWC Creative Arts Waivers from each state winner. Entries must be postmarked by May 15 and sent to: GFWC World in Pictures Contest
1734 N Street NW Washington, DC 20036-2990.

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Checks Submitted to Headquarters

Please remember to put “GFWC” on the “Pay to the Order Of” line when submitting a check to GFWC Headquarters. If it does not say “GFWC” then it cannot be processed. Put additional information (such as the specific fund you are donating to) in the memo line.

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GFWC Marketplace: Past Convention Pins

Go for that vintage look by collecting pins from past GFWC Annual Conventions! Order them in time for this year’s convention so you can strike up conversations and wear past memories in style. Get yours in the GFWC Marketplace.

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