CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) For our latest story to share on Giving Grace, we’re going to learn more about The Gateway Women’s Club of Clarksville which is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC).
The GFWC is an international organization that has been around for nearly 125 years. The Clarksville branch of the club existed through the 1990’s but disbanded around 20 years ago. The club has formed again and has been in existence for a little more than a year.
The GFWC describes itself as an organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service, living the volunteer spirit and it has a long history of volunteering and service.
One of the first events the local club took part in was Shower-Up with Loaves & Fishes last summer. A group out of Nashville came into Clarksville and offered free showers for the homeless. Among other things, club members helped organize snack bags, toiletries and other services for those in need.
A bra event was held late last year with the organization collecting new and gently used bras and donating them to SafeHouse in Clarksville. In February the group held a craft fair and donated a portion of the proceeds to the American Heart Association for heart month.
“Basically, we look to partner with people in the area who have issues or need things,” said Misty Robertson with Gateway Women’s Club. The organization has plans to sponsor a school supply drive for back to school later this summer.
Because many teachers spend their own money on school supplies for their students, the club recently adopted a first-year teacher at Byrns Darden Elementary School, Ashley Dugaw.
They purchased school items that were on Dugaw’s wish list and gave her a financial donation so she could purchase whatever else she needed in the way of school supplies.
Robertson said at this time, the Gateway Women’s Club has around 22 members and they are always looking for new ideas to be able to better help the community. They meet on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library.
“We’re a new club and we’re in need of membership. It’s a great way to network, and a lot of folks are looking for things to do in the community and this is an organized way to do that,” said Robertson.
Robertson added that If you would like to learn more about the Gateway Women’s Club or become a member just go to their facebook page. You can also visit the national General Federation of Women’s Clubs web site www.gfwc.org to find out more about the organization and the benefits of membership.
Giving Grace is brought to you by Grace Dental.
