Arts and Culture Community Service Program

Arts and Culture Community Service Program

Christmas Stockings

The GFWC Blackduck Tri Sigma Club (MN) made Christmas stockings for the preschool and kindergarten students at the Red Lake Mission School (Native American Tribal). Approval was received from the tribal leaders that this would be an appropriate gift for the children. Individual members took the stockings home to sew and donated art supplies to fill the stockings. The stockings were personalized with each child’s name using a Cricut machine.

Hawaiian Night Social

The Woman’s Club of Cayce (SC) hosted a Hawaiian Night Social featuring a catered meal and two hula dancers from Pacific Islands Dance Arts, a division of Halau Hula Alohalani. In addition to performing several hula dances, the dancers taught a hula class and gave a short lecture on Hawaiian culture, musical instruments, and the history of the hula. Participants were also treated to a Hawaiian barbeque and a cakewalk.

Youth Art Competition

The GFWC Frederick Woman’s Civic Club (MD) sponsored a Youth Art Competition for high school and middle school students. The event was held in January at the community college art gallery with artwork judged and certificates presented for first, second, third, and honorable mention. A reception welcomed more than 200 guests of students, teachers, friends, and family members with money raised donated to the GFWC Maryland art programs and the community college visual arts department.

Comfort Quilts

The Somer’s Women’s Club (CT) participated in the Comfort Quilts for Hospice Project. Quilters worked at home and remained quite productive. Most of the materials had been donated, so the club incurred very little expense. They completed 16 lap quilts that were donated to the Evergreen Rehab and Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs, CT. They also created one full-sized quilt and one lap quilt for a club raffle.

Virtual Scavenger Hunt

The GFWC Goochland Woman’s Club (VA) created a Virtual Club Scavenger Hunt of historic- and art-related spaces in Goochland, VA. Clues were sent to members via email, and members had the option to visit the clue in person and submit a photograph and findings, or visit the clue online and answer a question that could only be found in the online description. The person with the most correct answers was awarded a $10 Amazon virtual gift card.

Help Art Thrive Supply Drive

The Atlanta Woman’s Club (GA) provided free art supplies to children in grades K-12 in Fulton County Schools (FCS) and Atlanta Public Schools (APS) enrolled in remote, home-based learning. Supplies donated by members were distributed the first and third week each month. Distribution locations were determined by the FCS and APS free meal kit pick-up locations. When parents picked up meal kits for their children, they could also pick up a bundle of supplies.

Twiddlemuffs

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Henderson (Tennessee) Arts Committee worked with the memory care unit of The Hearth at Hendersonville, an assisted living facility, to donate Twiddlemuffs to their residents. Twiddlemuffs are knitted or crocheted muffs with items attached to keep dementia patients’ hands active and busy. A Twiddlemuff provides a wonderful source of visual, tactile, and sensory stimulation, and keeps hands snug and warm at the same time.

Thanksgiving Cards

The GFWC Beloit Junior Woman’s Club (WI) was not able to meet as a group due to COVID-19, so a creative member put together “to-go” card-making packets. The crafting packets consisted of pre-made cardstock cards that were cut and folded. Craft bags included the cards, craft scissors, stickers, ribbons, glue sticks, punches, and more. Club members made Thanksgiving cards at their homes, and 120 completed cards were donated to Meals on Wheels.

Chalk Art Contest

The North Arlington Woman’s Club (NJ) hosted a summertime chalk art contest. They encouraged children ages 6 to 18 to create a “thank you” to local healthcare workers in chalk and then submit their artwork to the club. The artwork was displayed on the town’s website and the club’s Facebook page. The children who participated received a certificate for a free Italian ice. There were many talented artists in their town.

Scarecrow Stroll

The Homer Glen Junior Woman’s Club (IL) searched for an activity to bring the community together that allowed for social distancing, and they worked with the village to create a Scarecrow Stroll. Participants purchased the base post provided by the club and the village, dressed it, and returned it for display. Sixty scarecrows were on display during October in a local park for all to see. Winners were chosen by the public and the club.