Community Service Projects

The Chapin Woman's Club serves the community through projects. Each member belongs to a community service project team. The club has 5 areas of focus, as listed below. In addition, the GFWC-SC President selects her own special project.

Arts and Culture

The Arts and Culture Community Service Program encourages members to promote and support art and cultural programs in their clubs and communities, and to expand understanding on every level, from local and regional to national and international. Our goal is to create projects that include crafts, dance, drama, food, music, and other manifestations of art and culture that develop skills, awareness, and appreciation. It is designed to inspire clubwomen and ignite within them a desire to make the world a more beautiful, thoughtful, and caring place.

Arts and Culture -
Fran Weaver, Chair

Passport to Arts & Culture
Paint and Sip
Evening at Trustus Theatre
Tour of Columbia Museum of Art
Event at Newberry Opera House
Kroger Center for the Arts

Civic Engagement

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. This Community Service Program highlights and encourages citizenship; crime prevention, safety, and disaster preparedness; the needy, hungry, and homeless; and our military personnel and veterans.

Civic Engagement & Outreach -
Cathy Huddle, chair

Meals on Wheels -Dianne Noda
Senior Bingo - Ginger Smith
First Responder Baskets -Sandra Hinton
USO Water Drive - Linda Hochstetler & Natalie Brown
Wreaths Across America – Kaye Gerrald

Education & Libraries

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

Education & Libraries -
Georgette Richards, chair

Evening Accelerated School (EAS)-Judy Mattox
Little Free Libraries-Pam Lichty
Scholarship Committee Chairs-Shannon Allonier & Chris Woodworth

Environment

The GFWC 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. Environmental degradation is cumulative and many scientists warn that we are at a tipping point. There is no time like the present to act.

Environment -
Bridgette Craver, Chair

Butterfly Garden – Amy Warren, Pam Harrell
Free the Girls - Barbara Becker
Matthew 25 Ministries-Barbara Becker
Soles for Souls
Homeward Bound Supplies

Health & Wellness

The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness. To improve our well being, we must address three key 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.

Health & Wellness -
Tricia Kling, Chair

Human Trafficking Project
Children’s Dental Health Month Project
Breast Cancer Ribbon in front of Theatre
Kids Craft Bags/White Bags of Courage (alternate years)
CWC Golf

GFWC-SC Special Project:

Elder Abuse Awareness

How can you Help? Support Project Lifesaver

Abuse later in life includes the physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or stalking of an adult age 50 years or older. In most cases, the survivor is in an ongoing relationship with the perpetrator, such as a spouse, partner, family member, or caregiver, where society expects there to be a trusting and caring connection. Research indicates that for every incident of abuse reported to the authorities, 23 incidents remain undiscovered. Older individuals face unique challenges when seeking assistance or services.

Older survivors may not from seek help or call the police due to shame or embarrassment because the abuse was committed by a spouse, adult children, grandchild, or caregiver. They may be intimidated by threats of being placed in a nursing home. It is estimated that elders throughout the U.S. lose a minimum of $2.9 billion annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation. Signs of elder abuse may be missed by professionals working with older Americans because of a lack of training. Professionals must be trained to be diligent about doing physical body exams for abuse. We need to support and educate our elder population and their caregivers.