During these last several months of restrictions and confinement, the Millville Woman’s Club has continued its mission of community service.
Some members have made it their mission to check on other members, family and friends via phone, text and other social media. Other members have been making masks, preparing and delivering meals to health care and other essential workers. Members have also been shopping for people who are immuno-compromised. Another member has continued to provide her Yoga sessions online using ZOOM.
The Woman’s Club provides ongoing support for the Hope and Help Ministry, but the Club had a Special COVID-19 Project early this summer during which non-perishable foods and other household items were collected and contributed to the Help and Hope Pantry. Another such event will take place at the Millville Woman’s Club on September 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to benefit the Help and Hope Ministry and the Rise and Shine Ministry. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples and/or granola or NutriGrain Bars are being requested for children’s lunches. Club members will bag lunches, then give them to the Help and Hope and Rise and Shine Ministries for distribution. Contact Sandra Damato at 856-300-5597 or e-mail [email protected] to contribute.
EllenBeth Nappen, Creative Arts chairperson, coordinated a Flower Exchange during which participants learned about and traded plants. EllenBeth’s fingers have been busy, too. She has completed five afghans for NJ DYFS this summer.
The Millville Woman’s Club Chorus enjoys singing around the community and spreading information about the Woman’s Club, but with the pandemic there has been change. A number of performances had to be cancelled as did in-person rehearsals. However, being a vibrant and committed group of women, the Chorus continues to meet and rehearse weekly via ZOOM thanks to Debbi Permito, Chorus director.
The Club appreciates education and demonstrates this by interacting with local schools. At monthly Club meetings a female student from Millville High School gives a presentation about her accomplishments and goals. A “Good Kid” award is presented annually to a female and a male junior high school student. The Club participates in the statewide Spelling Bee, providing judges at local competition and hosting the regional “Bee Off.”
Each month during the school year, The Millville Woman’s Club recognizes the Millville High School “Student of the Month.” While the coronavirus presented a challenge, it did not keep Donna Pio and Barbara Westog, Education chairperson and assistant chairperson, from collaborating with Millville High School Vice Principal Kristen McManus to obtain names of “Student of the Month” for the remainder of the year: April-Kayla Hruska; April-Klarissa Roehle; and May-Abbigail Mark. Congratulatory notes and two Wawa gift cards were sent to each.
New projects are being initiated such as “Chill Out” to assist homeless veterans, “Our Future First,” which is recruiting retired educators to be tutors, and “A Shot at Life” in conjunction with the United Nations to provide shots for preventable diseases to children around the world.
Millville Woman’s Club always welcomes new members. If interested, contact Jane Christy, Membership chairperson at 856-825-0066.
