Migdalia Dabney, left, and Barbara Westog.
Millville Woman’s Club (MWC) a member of New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC), finished out 2024 with several community service projects. The State Federation has a special project that changes every two years. The current project is in support of New Jersey Children’s Alliance (NJCA), “a statewide non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote hope, healing and justice for child abuse victims.” (NJSFWC.org)
Last month, Barbara Westog, MWC Special State Project director, met with Migdalia Dabney at the Center and delivered 30 Christmas bags for the children. Bags contained shoes, clothing, toys, and more.
There are Child Advocacy Centers in all New Jersey counties and NJCA supports them by providing training in identification, response, prevention and advocacy. The Cumberland County Child Advocacy Center is located at 14 East Commerce Street in Bridgeton. Children and families are provided with counseling and support to assure connection to vital community resources while their cases are processed through medical and legal networks. Follow-up counseling is also provided.
MWC will continue to support NJCA in its mission to protect children. Information regarding NJCA can be obtained at njcainc.org or by calling (877)NJ-ABUSE
Sweets for Seniors
Early on the morning of December 9, members of the Millville Woman’s Club (MWC) were busy preparing bags of cookies and candy for residents in Millville Senior Housing. “Sweets for Seniors” is an annual MWC project to spread holiday cheer in the community. Mary Miskelly, MWC Chair of Civic Engagement and Outreach Committee, and Betty Mikus, co-chair, coordinated the project and club members donated individually wrapped candies, as well as tins of cookies to fill the bags. Jennifer Rivera and Christopher McMahon arrived from Millville Housing Authority and received 197 bags of goodies for distribution to senior residents.
MWC members packing bags of ‘Sweets for Seniors.’
A Time To Honor and Remember
On December 6, the Millville Woman’s Club (MWC) had its traditional Tree of Remembrance ceremony to remember and honor special family and friends. Club members and others from the community submitted names of those individuals they wished to honor along with $10 per name for the Club’s scholarship fund. Barbara Westog, MWC financial secretary/projector director, read each name and Debbi Permito, MWC Chorus director, rang a bell after each one.
The evening featured solos by two Millville High School seniors, Isabella DeFelice and Sasha Torres, and performances by Lakeside Middle School Chorus and the MWC Chorus. Barbara Westog closed the ceremony, thanking donors for their contributions to the scholarship fund, offering light refreshments and wishing all a Happy Holiday.
Debbi Permito, left, and Barbara Westog.
Serving Our Veterans
People are so busy during the holidays, decorating the house inside and out, shopping for gifts, attending parties, travelling to be with families, etc. and writing holiday greeting cards takes time, plus cards and stamps are getting more expensive. It’s easier and quicker to send greetings by e-mail or text messages or just make a phone call to say Happy Holidays.
However, for some people, receiving a simple holiday greeting card may brighten the day. Members of the Millville Woman’s Club (MWC) appreciate our veterans and the services they provide for our country so members filled out 400 holiday greeting cards for the veterans at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home (NJVMH) in Vineland. On December 13, Mary Miskelly, Chairperson of MWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Committee, met with Gabrielle Gilbert at NJVMH, to deliver the greeting cards along with some games and undergarments.
Mary Miskelly, MWC, left, and Gabrielle Gilbert, NJVMH
Support for Holly City Family Success Center
The Holly City Family Success Center provides services for so many children in our community. During the pandemic, Diane Alcantara, Millville Woman’s Club Chorus member, suggested spreading holiday joy in the form of gift bags for the children at the Center. The idea was well received by club membership and has become an annual affair.
Last month, Alcantara advised club members that the need was greatest for children ages three months to three years and asked that gift bags be labeled as to boy or girl and age range. Club members left gift bags at the clubhouse and on December 9, Ceci Brandt assisted Diane in delivering 31 gift bags to the Center. Ivelise Perez, director at the Success Center, was delighted and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Millville Woman’s Club for the continued generosity.
From left: Ceci Brandt, MWC, Diane Alcantara, MWC, and Ivelise Perez, director of Holly City Family Success Center.
