Community Service Programs

Arts and Culture

Chairman: Gail Cowan

The study of art and culture enriches the human experience. Art education improves problem solving and critical thinking skills, builds focus and perseverance, and nurtures creativity, confidence, and collaboration.

Activities: The Arts and Culture CSP has raised funds to contribute to the Brunswick High School and Glynn Academy bands and has selected local high school art students' work to submit to our district and state art competitions. Our members have also participated in local art shows and have participated in the district and state art competitions. We donated art supplies to Morningstar Children and Family Services and Memory Matters.

Civic Engagement and Outreach

Chairman: Peggy Tuten

The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community - locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. The four "broad strokes" of this effort include: Citizenship, Crime Prevention, Safety and Disaster Preparedness, the Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and Our Military Personnel and Veterans.

Activities: Funds have been raised to contribute to Heifer International, MAP International, which has a facility located in Brunswick, and to Operation Smile. Members have also participated in Christmas at Sea, providing Christmas gifts for the International Seafarers. Contributions have been made to Coastal Honor Flight and Wreaths Across America. Members have attended the naturalization ceremony and presented new citizens with gift bags.

Education and Libraries

Chairman: Kathleen Orians Dawson

GFWC members promote education in both children and adults. We aim to help others while we also continue to learn. Projects in the Education Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities, and to promote literacy, libraries, and the love of a good book. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world.

Activities: Encourage members to support educational opportunities in our community and raise funds for nursing scholarships to the College of Coastal Georgia. A nursing scholarship is awarded each year to a non-traditional student attending the College of Coastal Georgia. We support the STAR (Student and Teacher Award and Recognition) Foundation by providing an annual luncheon to recognize and honor our local STAR students and teachers. We collect Box Tops for Education and contribute them to a local school. Members have volunteered at local schools and the Marshes of Glynn Library. We contributed funds to the Turning the Page Compaign at the library as well.

Environment

Chairman: Lillie Smith

The Environment Community Service Program encourages us to become stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world's resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, and beautify our communities and enjoy nature.

Activities: Members have volunteered at the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia and Jekyll Island Turtle Center. We have sponsored holes at the golf tournament fund raisers held by Keep Golden Isles Beautiful and have participated in their recycling and cleanup events. We encourage members to participate in recycling events in our community.

Health and Wellness

Chairman: Sheila Ledford

The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness. To improve our wellbeing, we must address three components: nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care. This community service program aims to explore the various opportunities for awareness and advancement of each of these vital areas.

We support local organizations that work to improve the lives of those in need and keep members informed of ways to improve their physical health and quality of life.

Activities: The Club has sponsored monthly Bingo at Sears Manor Nursing Home as a club project for over thirty years. Members assist residences with bingo cards, serve snacks, hand out prizes, and call the bingo games. Members donated magazines, greeting cards, calendars and notepads for Sears Manor Nursing Home.

Members supported the Safe Harbor Blanket Project. Members supported The Well, a Brunswick day center for the homeless, by collecting individual sized toiletries, wash clothes, dental supplies and socks for the center. Grace House is a faith-based charity helping women recover from addiction with the goal of becoming self-sufficient. Members supported their efforts by sponsoring a hole at Grace House 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament fundraiser. Funds raised support the 14-bed sober living facility in downtown Brunswick.

Tallulah Falls

Chairman: Penny Smith

Members support and contribute to the Tallulah Falls School, which is a college preparatory school owned by the Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs and dedicated to providing a quality education for deserving middle school and high school students.

Activities: We participate in the 8th grade students annual visit to the Golden Isles. We sponsor a student that we support through correspondence and small gifts. We support Tallulah's Closet by donating clothing and handbags for students to attend their prom. We also participate in the Green Envelope project by sending cards of congratulations and encouragement to the graduating seniors.