And the end of the year 2020 is here…and what a year it has been! As I reflect on this past year, both personally and within the Woman’s Club of West Deptford, I can honestly say that although this year has been a challenge, so many positive things have taken place. Yes…it has been a difficult year, but thinking back over the months of the Covid-19 Pandemic, I think we have persevered and helped to make our corner of the world just a little better.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.” —Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol” December 19, 1843
The quote I chose to end 2020 with and celebrate the holiday season sums up how we can continue to thrive and survive these stressful days. Mr. Dickens said it best through Scrooge…remember the past, make the best of the present and look to the future with optimism and hope. We have done amazing things this year thanks to each and every one of you, and we are still going strong. It is thanks to you that our neighbors are eating, able to put clothes on their families, and have a little piece of mind. Your generosity this year is staggering as the chairs of our committees calculate hours, donations and hours of dedication to making our community just a little bit better. Thank you to each and every one of you who helped make a difference…it has not gone unnoticed.
As I have mentioned above, the chairs of each of our committees have already started calculating hours, filling in donations, listing activities accomplished and writing narratives about what their committee has accomplished. I have seen a few of these narratives and they are simply fantastic. Each one that I have seen so far has really put into words what our ladies have done this year. I look forward to reading them all. Anyone who needs assistance though…please just let me know. I will be writing any narrative that needs to be added to unchaired committees or any committee that has a subcommittee that need information, so I am definitely able to help should you need it.
As this is December and the last month of 2020, I want to recognize all chairs and co-chairs who have taken time to make our club so successful. It doesn’t matter the committee or whether you only have one job each year or monthly jobs, each of you and your teams have definitely made a difference. All of you need to be recognized for what you have done this year. Usually, we would be celebrating another successful year with a Holiday Party, celebrating Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or other personal holidays with a dinner and fellowship with terrific friends. This year is different, but the successes we have and our fellowship has not waned. We were able to have some outdoor, socially distanced meetings, Zoom meetings as well as continued with Book Club, volunteerism and more.
Our Creative Arts and Social Committees have come up with some awesome activities. I am looking forward to Peggy G. demonstrating how to create a festive centerpiece and baking cookies with Holly…all on Zoom. I can’t wait to see how my cookies turn out. An adult beverage will definitely be at my elbow! Please make sure to check out our Health and Wellness articles as Chris T. continues to keep us informed about Covid-19 and more.
I have ordered our NJSFWC masks and am collecting the monies for them now. I will let those ladies who ordered masks know when they will be in so that I can get them to you in a timely matter. If you ordered 1 mask, they are $6.00, if you ordered 2, they are 2 for $10.00. I have monies from most of the ladies so I will be able to get them out as soon as they arrive. If you still need to drop off money to me, I am still a Virtual Learning Grandmother and am home so feel free to stop by.
Every month in Tidbits and on our monthly agenda, you notice that some of our ladies are doing collections of different items. I have updated this list with Denise H. and the ladies who are collecting are eager to receive any of your items that they have listed. As we are home more and cleaning out those pesty corners, I find that I have perfectly good items that could help another. Please check out the list at the bottom of our monthly agenda and at the left side of the first page of Tidbits. Each lady listed has a container on their porch to put the items in. Thank you for your personal donations.
Our January Garden District meeting will be held via Zoom next month. It will be held on January 21st as of this writing. I will update you as more information comes in. If you can, you are welcome to participate.
As far as Spring events…the NJSFWC Convention and GCI information are on hold. More information will be shared as we receive it. Our basket raffle is also on hold as we wait and see what the next few months will be bringing as far as restrictions. It is my hope that we will be past these trying times and will be able to hold all of these fantastic events.
Second VP Cynthia H-B. has come up with a great idea on how to reveal who our Secret Pals are and choosing new ones for 2021. Probably the best thing for 2021 is to choose a Secret Pal and bring a little joy to one of our ladies…I know for myself, I love finding the surprises that have been left on my porch. To anyone who needs help getting your Secret Pal’s gift to its recipient, reach out to a board member…we would be happy to help.
Finally, if you know of someone who could use a little cheering up, please contact one of the board members or Agnes K. We would be happy to reach out to them and bring a little happiness. It is hard to be home and not able to socialize as we normally do…maybe something small will cheer up a friend.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our December 8th Zoom General Meeting. Don’t forget to wear a festive top and bring a snack. We may not be able to celebrate in person but we can still enjoy being together. I will also be announcing the appointment of our new LGCCC treasurer who will be starting her board position in January. Our meeting will be filled with upcoming activities and what we are planning for the new year. You won’t want to miss it. Anyone who needs help with linking into Zoom, please reach out to Denise H…she will try to help.
To our family and friends…
May your holiday be bright…
(Merry Christmas)
(Happy Hannukah)
(Happy Kwanzaa) to all
And to all a Good Night!
With Federation Friendship and Community Togetherness…May 2021 bring all of you the best that life has to give.
Warmly,
April