GFWC Junior Woman's Club of Rutherford

Dear Juniors:

Happy New Year!

 It's been a short while since we've last met and yet somehow with the New Year it feels like much longer.  Hopefully, with the New Year comes new ideas and a renewed spirit!

 A big congratulations to the club who, despite shaky financial times, banded together to make our last two events so successful!

 Special thanks to our chairs: Tricky Tray- Denise Leonessa, Snack with Santa: Susan Sprayberry, Rebeca Kane, Christine Mendoza - thank you ladies for taking the lead on these fundraisers and events and making them such huge successes!

 Thank you to Linda and Chuck Daniels for once again hosting our annual Holiday party at their home in December.  Congratulations to all of our award recipients and thank you for all of your hard work. 

 We are off to a great start so far this year with the success of our Spelling Bee- chaired by Liz Gilmore.  It was wonderful to see all of the support from many of members who helped before hand and on the scene and the many of our children who pitched in also!!!  It was a true collaboration and wonderful event!!  Congratulations to all of the brave participants and special congratulations to Joe Birdsall, our very own Kim Birdsall's son, who came in third place. 

 As presidents, we are looking forward to a fun-filled year of service and working with you all.  We welcome any suggestions or input you may have and value the time and service everyone dedicates to the club!

 In Junior Spirit,

Lina & Iman

Dear Juniors,

Welcome back! Hopefully you are all returning from a restful and enjoyable summer. 

Thank you to the hostesses tonight: Helen, Iman, Sue Forsythe, Diamira, and Susan Sprayberry.

The 2009-2010 Yearbook is under construction.  Helen is collecting information from our members.  A new and improved Yearbook will be distributed at the October meeting.

This July 4^th the Public Affairs Department proudly coordinated our 2^nd Annual Chalk Drawing contest. As always, the children’s artwork was patriotic and inspiring. It was well received by the town this year and received many compliments. Thank you to Carolyn, Sue Sprayberry and the committee for this fun event.

Education and Home Life worked together on Project Backpack- with AMAZING RESULTS!!!  We surpassed last year’s collection and donated 71 backpack, tons of markers, glue sticks, lunch boxes, rulers and crayons!!! This project was most appreciated this year, since the Community Food Pantry has been overwhelmed with requests.   Kathy Hildebrand expressed her deepest appreciation toward the Juniors, who have always been one of her greatest supporters.

The Children’s Tricky Tray committee, under the guidance of Denise, has been busy this summer, soliciting vendors and meeting to plan ticket sales, hospitality and basket preparation.  This is our BIGGEST fundraiser this year; the one we will be basing our annual donations on.  The support of our ENTIRE club is needed for this event. 

We continued to shop for our homebound friend, Clara.  Thank you to Laura, Mary Ellen, Sue Forsythe and Linda Daniels.  Your dedication is especially important during the summer months. 

This year’s Labor Day booth was a big success.  Our Beautiful Baby Contest was a big draw and we raised $83.  Thank you Diamira for making the poster and collecting the pictures! We distributed many Children's Tricky Tray flyers (thank you Helen for bringing copies) and that brought a lot of people to our table.  People also enjoyed the free patriotic pins donated by Diamira. Thanks to Susana, Liz, Laura, Rebeca, Helen, Terri, Ann Marie, Lisa and Lina for your help at the booth yesterday!

September is always an exciting time!  Back to School always brings a fresh start and new beginnings.  I hope you will all take that spirit and use it to help the club move forward in the upcoming months.

In Junior Spirit,

Kirsten

Dear Juniors,

Tonight is a busy night, as we install our newest members, present our yearly donations and have our final meeting before the summer. We are looking forward to installing our Newest Members this evening: Lisa Rangel, Wendy Armacost and Rebeca Kane. Congratulations and thank you for providing hospitality this evening.

Tonight we will present donations to organizations that are near and dear to our hearts.  This evening we truly get to see the fruits of our labor when we present over $6,000 worth of donations to local charities and organizations.  It is during times like these that we share the fruits of our hard work, and be proud that we are JUNIORS!

A few weeks ago our club presented Scholarship checks to 3 recipients: Kellie Rennie of St. Mary's High School, Alexia Silver and Alyssa Fiume from Rutherford High School. Thank you to Laura and Liz for representing our clubs at the awards banquets for the two schools.  Later this week our Girls Career Institute (GCI) recipients Brianne Boyle and Angela Palanza will be heading to Douglass College (which was founded by the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs) for a “mini college experience.”

The Memorial Day parade was a success once again.  Thank you to Ida, Rebeca, Andrea, Laura, Sue Sprayberry and Motrja for representing our club on the parade route.  As we marched we proudly displayed our banner and distributed bubbles to children and business cards to prospective Juniors, along the way.

The 4^th Annual Ladybug Release was once again, a huge success.  A special thanks goes to Ann Marie, Mary Ellen, Laura, Sue Sprayberry and Christine for chairing this event, which has become a favorite of the Rutherford area. Thank you Darlene for getting the RHS Biology Club to volunteer and assist in assembling the vials of ladybugs, and the RHS Art Club to volunteer for face painting.  Diamira and her family did a fabulous job running the parachute area, while Ann Marie and Christine worked the crowd of ladybug shoppers.  Our children were treated to the ever popular Snakes ‘n Scales presentation, tattoos and crafts. Thank you to Angela and Jane for selling snacks to raise funds for the Education Department.  Thank you to all of the members, Junior husbands, children and families who helped make this event possible. 

On Saturday, the Kip Center was the site for the 1^st ever JWCR Children’s Talent Show road tour. Thank you Andrea for coordinating this event and congratulations to Patty Ann Forsythe, Danielle O’Connor, Michael Davis and Andrew DeLucia for outstanding performances.  Bravo!

Even though there are no monthly meetings in July or August, it will still be a busy time for the Juniors.  The 2^nd Annual Chalk Drawing Contest will be held on July 4^th; craft nights in July and August; a Family Sports Night on July 25^th and a Gourmet Night.  Please see the sign-up sheets for a complete list of summer events.

The summer is finally upon us.  Take this time to enjoy all of the fun activities we have planned, and get rejuvenated for a busy return in September.  Take time to sit and relax and enjoy all of your hard work.

In Junior Spirit,

Kirsten

Dear Juniors,

“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!”

- Sojourner Truth

At the 2009 NJSFWC-JM Annual Convention, we were honored to have Missi McCoy, the GFWC Director of Junior Clubs give the keynote address.  During her speech, she reminded us of the power of clubwomen.  When we put our hearts, minds and bodies together, we are capable of remarkable things.  As a group, the NJSFWC-JM contributed 141,740 volunteer hours and donated $1,460,705 to our communities.

Remember that the next time you grumble before you attend a club or committee meeting or bake another batch of cookies, because we truly are “Making History Now”.  These are moments you will never forget, and these are lessons that will be forever etched in the minds of our children.

Rutherford Juniors Rocked at Convention! We placed in 11 categories and received the Diamond Dozen award for the 7th year in a row!  Thank you Jenn Snyder, Wendy and Lisa for serving as delegates during the business meeting.  It was great to see some newer members at the Saturday morning business meeting and Saturday night awards dinner.  They were able to hear about all of the exciting projects and events occurring around the state.  Our attendance at Saturday’s award banquet was excellent- we had the most members in attendance and received many compliments from the Director of Junior Clubs, Christopher Dunyak.

Congratulations to Laura O’Connor who was placed on the Honor Roll; this is the highest individual honor a club member can receive from the Federation. We are in deep appreciation of her fine, inspiring leadership and outstanding ability. During her various activities of club work, we have grown in membership, attendance and in general interest and usefulness in the community.

It was an honor to be installed as this club’s President at last month’s Installation Dinner. I look forward to working with the new Executive Board, Jenn, Lina, Helen, Gina & Rebeca and with each member and prospective member of our club.  As President, my goal is to encourage the membership’s pursuit of new projects and fundraisers.  Through our efforts, I hope we will increase the community’s awareness of the JWCR and our contributions to our global community. 

Congratulations to our Junior Fever Award Recipient, Anita Peterson! She epitomizes all things Junior:  generosity, kindness and charity.  She continues the tradition of Woman’s clubs, started by her mother, the former president of her own Woman’s Club.  She is always ready to volunteer and help with a cause, as well as step up to run major projects. We are most fortunate to have her in club.

Please help us in welcoming the newest junior mini’s to our club, GraceMarie Methe was born April 20th, weighing in at 8lbs, 4oz. and Sofia Fedorko was born at April 25th weighing in at 7 lbs and was 20 in. long.  Thank you to everyone who has and is participating in the Friendship Club for Motrja and her family.  Jen does not currently need our help with Friendship Club, but we will be offering it to her again in the future. As always, your kindness and generosity is very much appreciated by the families. 

Earlier this month I had the honor of presenting 15 Girl Scouts with gifts to recognize and congratulate them for receiving the Gold and Silver Awards. This ceremony was held at the Borough Hall and it was an honor to see firsthand all of the hard work and dedication that these ladies have put forth.  I look forward to having these young women share their experiences with our club, and further inspire us. 

The Scholarship committee met to review the applications and chose three scholarship recipients who will be announced at next month’s meeting.  Thank you to Angela, Jane, Carolyn, Linda S.,  Ann Marie and Jenn for serving on that committee.

The Education Department organized our annual Recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week; they were able to make 8 platters to drop off at the local schools. Thank you to Liz, Laura, Angela and Jane for assembling the platters and to all who donated goodies and delivered baskets. In addition to celebrating our teachers, this year the Education Department also recognized Rutherford’s librarians during Librarian Appreciation Week.  Thank you Angela, Jane, Carolyn, Linda S., Ann Marie and Jenn for preparing a basket of baked goods for the librarians.

The Woman’s Club House Tour took place on Sunday, April 26th.  Thank you to all who helped by attending, providing baked goods and/or were hostesses.  The Woman’s Club appreciates our participation.  If you were unable to participate this year, please consider participating next year; it is an enjoyable afternoon.  It allows us to see the beauty and amazing architecture of some of Rutherford’s hidden treasures, while bringing our club together with the Woman’s Club.

One of our club goals for this year is to work closely with the Woman’s Club.  Our Public Affairs department, in collaboration with the Woman’s Club, is currently planning a Pampering Event for the women from Shelter Our Sisters.  In addition to that, Wendy, Carolyn and Laura are brainstorming with the Woman’s Club to find ways to help renovate the clubhouse.  Stay posted for more information on these efforts!

Despite a rainy week and the constant threat of rain that day, our Spring Yard Sale went off without a hitch!   We raised $438.85 at the sale. The children were also a huge help that day, aside from having fun together they put together a stand that sold a variety of drinks and cookies. The juniors of the Juniors raised $28.25 for FAFS - thank you Danielle O’Connor, Natasha Stroedecke and all of the other children who helped. We had an overwhelming amount of clothing, furniture and other items that were donated.  After our successful sale, all of the leftover items were donated to a Relay for Life Clothing Drive, a Ukranian orphanage, My Shoe 4 U and the Vietnam Vets Association. Thank you to everyone who participated by donating items, working the sale, setting up and cleaning up, shopping at the sale and helping to spread the word. A special thanks goes to the O’Connor family for hosting the event and providing a great BBQ lunch.

Next month we will be installing our new members, Lisa, Rebeca and Wendy, in addition to distributing our annual donations. I hope to see you all at this very special meeting, where we celebrate, again, what it means to be a JUNIOR!

In Junior Spirit,

Kirsten