Club donates $9,100 to benefit community
Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club (BJWC) recently announced that it is making $9,100 in community contributions to benefit residents in the area. BJWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, one of the world’s largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational women’s volunteer service organizations. Currently the club has 38 members who not only give their time but also their talent for the betterment of Boyertown and the surrounding area.
In speaking of the recent contributions, BJWC club member Danelle Matlack said, “One person can make a difference but when you join with others who have the same desire to bring forth change and positively impact the community, such as my fellow club members, it’s astonishing what can be achieved!”
The club year, which runs from September through May, is filled with meetings, social events, volunteering hours and several fundraisers. As summer approaches, BJWC allocates the funds they raised throughout the club year.
Notable 2018 contributions include a $7,000 donation to Happy 2 Be Home to support their mission of funding improvements to homes in order to make them suitable for chronically ill child to be able to continue to live in their current residence. In speaking of the contribution, Happy 2 Be Home board president Scott Hamrick said, “Without supporters and donators such as BJWC, Happy 2 Be Home would not be able to change the circumstances of families in need. We truly could not do it without you.” The contribution from Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club went to help families in the immediate area.
BJWC’s other contributions include $500 to Boyertown Community Library to support their children’s programs. A $500 donation to Pillars of Light & Love, as well as a $500 donation to Operation Backpack. Contributions in the amount of $100 were made to Colebrookdale Railroad, children’s programs; State Theater, children’s programs; Mary’s Shelter, CASA, Magnanamus 7 — Pancreatic Cancer Research; and to Garrett the Grand — Batten Fighter in support of Garrett Coyne, a local boy bravely fighting Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, a rare disease, often called Batten Disease.
Additionally, two $1,000 scholarships were awarded to graduating Boyertown High School seniors to support their continuing education. The first recipient, Ivy Price, was awarded the Elaine B. Mehle Memorial Scholarship award. She will be studying primary/elementary education at Kutztown University. The second recipient, Jessica Whittemore, received the BJWC scholarship award and will be studying chemistry and Spanish at Millersville University in the fall.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be the active serving president of this hard-working group of ladies,” said Anita Zuber, Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club president. “This year was a record fundraising year following the success of our first-ever “Girls Night Out” basket raffle. We take
great pride in our community and we’re constantly searching for activities to improve it. We worked extremely hard this year on fundraisers in order to have funds to distribute to local organizations. We also have a lot of fun donating our time to events such as bingo at Chestnut Knoll, Once Upon a Prom and holiday “Crafts with Kids” at Chillin’ on Main in December. We are always looking for new members to join us!”
Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club continues to grow. If you are interested in joining their efforts, visit their Facebook page GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Boyertown or contact Anita Zuber, BJWC president at 610-858-1351. BJWC meets monthly from September through May. Most meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at MultiService, 200 W. Spring St., Boyertown.