GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs

Home Life Department

HELPING HANDS IN THE COMMUNITY Division

Chairman: Helen Galligan

FOCUS ON FINANCIAL ISSUES Division

Chairman: Dorothy Castleberry

FOCUS ON HEALTH Division

Chairman: Barbara Savarin

CORD Chairman: Pam Legg EORD Chairman: Ronda Dudzik

LED Chairman: Pat Groble NED Chairman: Margaret Petrosky

NWD Chairman: Carla Blinn WCD Chairman: Janet Parker

WORD Chairman: Elaine Krick

STATE THEME: OFWC Home Life – “The Heart of It All”

OUR GOALS: To encourage Ohio clubwomen to make an impact in their communities by participating in programs and projects from each Home Life division. To educate the members by submitting articles in each quarterly issue of The Buckeye and develop a tri-fold brochure to distribute to all club members. To increase the percentage of clubs reporting their programs and projects on the annual reports by 10% in order to share their successes with other clubs throughout Ohio.

HELPING HANDS IN THE COMMUNITY

OBJECTIVE: We encourage you to touch the “hearts” of Ohioans by introducing club members and communities to organizations that improve the lives of those in need. In addition to the programs and projects found in the GFWC Directory please consider the following projects for the 2008-2010 reporting year:

BIRTHRIGHT – provides caring, non-judgmental support to women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy. Go to www.birthright.org for more information.

WARM UP AMERICA – provides comfort and warmth to homeless shelters, women’s shelters, hospitals, veterans, etc. by way of a knitted or crochet blanket. Go to www.warmupamerica.org for additional details.

FOCUS ON FINANCIAL ISSUES

OBJECTIVE: To educate members and communities from the “heart” about the value and need for financial planning and informed financial decisions. In addition to the program and project ideas found in the GFWC Directory we encourage you to focus on the following projects for the 2008-2010 reporting year:

WISER WOMEN – Educate clubs and communities about financial issues facing women today, and the necessity of early retirement planning for all. Go to www.WiserWomen.org or call 202-393-5452 to order the Your Future Paycheck toolkit.

IDENTITY THEFT AWARENESS – Educate clubs and communities about identity theft awareness. Download and distribute the GFWC ID Theft Fact Sheet at www.GFWC.org.

FOCUS ON HEALTH

OBJECTIVE: We want to educate club members and communities about the most prevalent medical problems affecting women with an emphasis on healthy “hearts.” Please refer to the GFWC Directory for specific program and projects ideas for the 2008-2010 reporting year. We would like to emphasize the following:

MY MEDICINE – to make women more aware of safe medication use. Call 888-878-3256 to request free copies of the “My Medicines” brochure from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Also available at www.FDA.gov/Womens

.

OSTEOPOROSIS – encourage early prevention. Hold a Bone China Tea to give club members and others an opportunity to support the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Call 800-231-4222 or log onto www.NOF.org for more details.

Other Ideas and Resources:

• Visit the GFWC site for more programs and ideas at www.GFWC.org.
• Canine Companions for Independence – Club members can volunteer to raise a puppy. Call (888) 224-3647 or www.CCI.org
• Easter Seals – Collect Cartridges for Kids or another Easter Seals program that will provide funds for individuals with autism or other disabilities.
• Habitat for Humanity International (800) 422-4828 or www.Habitat.org
• Stroke Awareness – Celebrate Stroke Awareness month in May. Call (800) 352-9424 National Institute Neurological Disorders/Stroke Clearinghouse. Or www.NINDS.NIH.gov.
• March of Dimes – www.NOD.org or (888) MODIMES
• Collect and Donate Pillows to your local Women’s Shelter. Each person keeps the pillow they give them so they always need pillows.
• National Organization on Disability – (202) 293-5960 or www.NOD.org
• Donate to your local food pantry and encourage community involvement in organizing collection efforts. The need isn’t just for holidays.
• Plant a community garden to augment your local food pantry.

Information on other OFWC Departments and Committees

Return to the OFWC home page.