eConnection 3/9: GFWC WC of Ukraine, Convention, GCI & More
by Jan W. Hanson, NJSFWC President
UKRAINE-from GFWC News and Notes
GFWC’s Thoughts are with the Women’s Club of Ukraine. Conditions in Ukraine continue to worsen now that Russia has launched a full-scale invasion inside the country. For continuous coverage on this war crisis, visit apnews.com.
The Women’s Club of Ukraine has been busy teaching first aid and doing what it can to give people hope during these precarious times. GFWC applauds the club for continuing to help its community and is keeping all members in its thoughts.
You can extend thoughts of kindness, unity, and support to the club through its Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/gfwomens/. (The featured photo came from the club’s Facebook page.)
GFWC Affiliate Organization UNICEF USA https://www.unicefusa.org/ is at the forefront of the humanitarian response for Ukraine and is providing essential services to vulnerable children and families affected by the conflict. Donate today to support their efforts and help ensure children have access to clean water, nutrition, health care, education, and safe conditions.
If you prefer to donate to another organization, make sure your donations will be used to help those in the Ukraine. Some churches have Disaster Relief Funds and all of the money you donate usually goes to the fund you designate.
Annual Convention
We understand some people are having trouble making a hotel reservation at the Tropicana. We are working on solving this issue so if you are put on hold for over five minutes, are told the block is filled or given a price other than $59 tell them you will call back later and send Susan Fosdick an email, [email protected]. The base cost of the hotel is $59, but the final cost is about $84* after the taxes and fees. Here is the link if you would like to make an online reservation, https://book.passkey.com/go/ST04WC2.
*These rates include the Atlantic City room tax of 14% and the $10.00 Tourism Promotion/occupancy/resort fee. More information can be found in the CALL on the njsfwc.org website, MATERIALS/Convention.
Candy Sale
Don’t miss out on the Gertrude Hawks Candy sale. Orders begin shipping on March 14 and the sale ends April 3rd.
Go to https://fundraising.gertrudehawkchocolates.com/
Click on Place Fundraising Order.
Choose an Organization.
Type in 114501
CHOOSE NJSFWC, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ
Choose a Seller and type in Chris Burlew
Select GET STARTED
Girls’ Career Institute
There are still spaces available for GCI delegates if your clubs would like to increase their number of delegates or send delegate(s). Please send your check to NJSFWC Headquarters. If you have any questions, contact Mary Kay Tokar, [email protected], 201-320-8403.
Zoom Book Discussion
Join in on the Zoom book discussion on Moloka’i by Alan Brennert, Wednesday, March 9th 7:00 p.m. Email headquarters for the Zoom link.
Associate Alumnae of Douglass College Helping Women. Period Project
The Haddon Fortnightly accepted the challenge of the Alumnae Association of Douglass College as announced in an eConnection.
Our club reached out to our members as well as the Haddonfield community through various news media describing the “pop- up project” for the month of February. We partnered with a realtor in our community who graciously agreed to be the drop off point for the donations. When the office was closed, a bin was placed outside for people to drop off the feminine products. The project chairman collected the items on a regular basis throughout the month.
The results of the project surpassed our expectations. We were able to collect 127 packages of feminine products valued at $701 in kind donations. In addition, we received $500 from community members who chose the option of a monetary donation.
The products and monetary donations were given to Distributing Dignity, a 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is to “enhance the lives of women in need.” If your club participated in this project, please send the information to [email protected], Please put Helping Women in the subject line.
Women’s History Month
JoAnn Aponte, Woman’s Club of Maplewood has been selected as 2022 Women’s History Month Bloomfield Woman to Watch. She was nominated by Janet Oscar., who wrote a wonderful synopsis of JoAnn. edited : She has worked diligently for stiffer DWI laws. Cerebral Palsy and Battered Women’s Shelters in Essex County have benefited from her volunteerism and she was instrumental in starting a Sweat Suit Program for rape victims at United Hospital of Newark where she also volunteered for over 10 years. She is responsible for establishing libraries in various elementary schools in Newark, Belleville and Irvington. She has received numerous awards for her support of reading and libraries, including the New Jersey Governors Book Club Award in 2003-2004. Through her generosity of a gift of a baby grand piano, children at a Belleville School were able to learn to play the piano.
She founded the “adopt a class” program in Essex County; this program provides hand knitted hats, mittens, gloves plus bags of gifts to children at Christmastime. She gives a party annually for the Starlight Foundation for children in a New York Hospital and donates teddy bears for children to hold during chemo sessions.
JoAnn continues in her dedication in helping those less fortunate. She is the immediate Past President of the Maplewood Women’s Club where she served as their president for 14 years. She is currently the President of the Liberty District Lilies Club.
Jo Ann Aponte is a unique caring woman who has dedicated her entire life to helping others in many different and special ways. She and her husband George have been Bloomfield residents for over 40 years. She is president of the Bloomfield Senior group and started the organization Bloomfield Cares.
She has served on many non-profit boards in an official capacity including the Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, the Elks and UNICO. She reaches out to veteran’s organizations, women’s shelters, children in need and the homeless to provide clothing, blankets, holiday gifts for families and more.
Jo Ann is a very active Board Member of the Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair as their Domestic Violence Advocate and Children’s Advocate.
AND MORE…She is a member of the Verona chapter of UNICO. She is an Exalted Ruler in the Elks as well as a Leading Knight. She is involved with the Elks’ Camp Moore program for special needs teenagers and young adults. She is involved with charity for St. John’s church in Newark which provides 800 homeless people with food and clothing and books. She recently provided blankets to Clara Mass Hospital to keep patients warm while undergoing chemotherapy. She worked with the Encourage Kids Foundation in New York City for over 10 years. She originally worked at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. She regularly travels to difficult poverty-stricken locations to offer clothing, shoes, blankets and whatever is needed. She is fearless and passionate in her efforts. She is involved with an organization dedicated to building homes for young adults with special needs.” JoAnn was also a recipient of the Cecilia Gaines Holland award.
Deadlines
March
12-Woman of Achievement Patrons
24-Convention Hotel Deadline
30-Convention Reservation Deadline without late fee
April
1-Honor Roll and Order of the Lily
3-Candy Sale ends
6- Convention Final Deadline