GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs

Public Affairs Department

 

 

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY SAFETY Division

 

Chairman: Jeannie Chaney

 

CORD Chairman:  Mary Davis                                                  EORD Chairman:  Cheryl Taylor

LED Chairman:  Jeannie Chaney                                                NED Chairman:  Mary Lou Jarrett

NWD Chairman:  Lynette Rosebrook                                         WCD Chairman:  Lin Wilken

WORD Chairman:  Melody Kokensparger

 

Use the GFWC Directory as your guide before checking with your local police and fire departments to see what programs they already sponsor or take part in.

 

HOME SAFETY

There are a number of good ideas listed in the GFWC Directory to follow.  Here is a list of other suggestions for OFWC Members.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all homes.  Each year there are stories of people overcome by CO and the outcome can be tragic.  At the same time we have all heard of fire situations where working smoke detectors have made the difference between life and death.

There are many baby proofing items on the market today.  These include cabinet locks, toilet locks, and baby gates to name a few for homes with young children.  Research what is on the shelves and make a list of these aids for new mothers.

Keeping up with toy recalls is another big safety issue.  Possibly a club committee could look throughout your community for toys that are safe and make a list of the toys and/or the stores that carry them.  This list could help parents who want to do the right thing when purchasing toys.

Also many aids are made to help the older adults function on their own longer such as grabbers to pick up dropped objects, kitchen utensils with special grips, and bars that can be installed in the bathroom to aid navigation around that room.  A list of all such items can be distributed thru the senior centers.

Anyone with prescription medications in their homes should check the label.  If the prescription was filled the most recent time over 2 1/2 years ago the medication should be disposed of properly as it is outdated.  Many medications have a shorter shelf life than 2 1/2 years but the longest is 2 1/2.  You can check with your local pharmacy to determine if your medication is outdated.  Also many pharmacies can help your dispose of the medication properly.  Flushing it down the toilet is not a proper way and throwing it in the garbage is also not proper.

 

VEHICLE SAFETY

Use the GFWC Directory as your guide before checking with your local police/sheriff's office to see what laws and programs are already in place.

 

 

CITIZENSHIP IN ACTION Division

Chairman: Mary Lou Jarrett

 

CORD Chairman:  Mary Davis              EORD Chairman:  Cheryl Taylor

LED Chairman:  Jeannie Chaney            NED Chairman:  Mary Lou Jarrett

NWD Chairman:  Lynette Rosebrook     WCD Chairman:  Lin Wilken

WORD Chairman:  Melody Kokensparger

 

OBJECTIVE:  To educate our club members about the need to be involved with our community and about issues concerning our service members and families.

 

Veteran’s Affairs:

·         Host a luncheon & lecture for Veterans and widows/widowers of Veterans.  Contact your local county Veterans Service Commissioner to speak on changes in available benefits.  A Veteran may be eligible for receiving assistance with expenses such as assisted living, personal home care, prescription drugs and skilled nursing.

·         Flag burning ceremonies – contact local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Jr. ROTC, VFW, American Legion etc. to assist in a ceremony on how to retire old, worn out flags.

·         Contact senior housing to coordinate with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Jr. ROTC or organizations to plant gardens for Veterans who cannot do so on their own.

·         Invite Gail Van Vranken to come and speak on what she does for our military troops. www.boatsie.com or BoatsieVV@aol.com.

               

Sew Much Comfort:

·         Contact local art or craft stores such as Pat Catans, about ‘Operation Neck coolers for soldiers serving in Iraq.

 

Supporting Military Members and Their Families:

·         Contact local mayors or trustees about a proclamation, chose a day honoring military spouses and families; recruit local businesses, clubs, and organizations to help support this project.

               

Citizenship: 

·         Have school age children make a flyer to take home to their parents reminding them about their obligation to vote.

·         Volunteers to visit senior citizens homes to remind them to vote.

·         Contact your local the Board of Elections to send someone into the local high schools to sign up eligible voters.

·         Sponsor a meet the candidate night, for any local elections in your city/county.

·         Get literature from the local board of elections to give to the local schools to send home for parents.

·         Encourage school children to participate in the local parades such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, they can carry flags, dress in red, white and blue, decorate their bikes etc.    Contact local McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King etc. for coupons for the children that participate in the parade.

 

 

 

Information on other OFWC Departments and Committees
Return to the OFWC home page.