President Joycelyn Patrick encourages involvement by all our members in Community Service Programs – Arts and Culture, Engagement and Outreach; Education and Libraries; Environment; Health and Wellness; Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention; Human Trafficking; Advocates for Children.   Her goal is to have active participation in at least one of these projects each month.

On March 28, 2024, member Linn Okkelberg delivered a large food donation to Eat Better, Live Better.  The organization provides nutritional and healthy good guidance to children and families.  Linn collected the generous food items from her community, Rainberry Bay in Delray Beach. 

IGNITING LITERACY IN EVERY STUDENT was held at the Delray Beach Public Library on Saturday, February 3, 2024.  The three speakers described literacy learning and learning to read through the lens of storytelling, understanding the Science of Reading, and working with the dyslexic learner.  The speakers, each an expert in their field, offered insight into the tutoring techniques of their field and responded to audience questions.   The Woman’s Club provided lunch. 

SHOP WITH A COP was held at the Target Department Store on Linton Blvd on December 9, 2023.  Officers from the Delray Beach Police Department assisted youngsters in selecting gifts for their families and several members of the Woman’s Club wrapped the gifts for the children.  This shopping experience not only spreads holiday cheer, but also fosters positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.

GFWC Woman’s Club members Juli Casale, Joyce Warner, Myra Snyderman, and Tennille Decosta assisted members of Heros and Helpers in wrapping gifts for the children.

On May 5, 2023, a second BOOKS IN THE PARK Little Library was placed at Pompey Park.  Officials of the community attended as well as students from the Spady Elementary School.  Each student was given a book to enjoy reading.

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On May 5, 2023, members delivered homemade baked goods to firefighters at the Delray Beach Fire & Rescue Station at Barwick and Lake Ida Rds in honor of INTERNATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS DAY.  We thanked the firefighters for their dedicated service.

BOOKS IN THE PARK  is a Little Library Project that was a “work in progress” at the Teen Center under the supervision of Lloyd (Tony) Chin as one of  the Women’s Club service projects.  Four library boxes will be placed in the local parks.

   

On March 1, 2023 (National Read a Book Day), the first of our “Books in the Park”  was placed at Barwick Park, Delray Beach.  Members of the City of Delray Beach Parks and Recreation Department and the Delray Beach Police Department joined us, as well as Mayor Shelly Petrolia and Juli Casale and Shirley Johnson, City Commissioners.

 EAT BETTER, LIVE BETTER was the recipient of even more healthy food products delivered by Linn Okkelberg in February 2023.   See article for February 14, 2022, outlining the club’s contributions.

 

 

 

 

 

In January,  2023 and 2024, we again participated in the RED SAND PROJECT by filling in the cracks on the sidewalk in front of the Teen Center with red sand.  

See more details about the Red Sand Project on a separate page.

On October 27, 2022, members of the Woman’s Club attended the  DELRAY READS DAY  breakfast and then read a book in the classrooms to students at various schools, including the Banyan Creek Elementary School.  The featured book was Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady.

 At the end of April 2022, several of our members headed up the Hospitality Table at HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S annual “Rock the Block,” handing our the lunches to over 300 volunteers in the community who were painting homes in a designated area of Delray Beach.  Seen here waving are Jean Harrigan, Mary Hochman, Joycelyn Patrick, and Linn Okkelberg.

This annual event, started in 1989, revitalizes homes and unites hundreds of volunteers in a block-party style, hands-on experience that transforms up to 10 homes in one day.

AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE was the recipient of several boxes of diapers, wipes, and women products contributed by Woman’s Club members on March 28, 2022.   AVDA offers life-saving services while promoting violence-free, equitable relationships, and creating the social changes necessary to end domestic and dating violence.   President Joycelyn Patrick, 2nd VP Linn Okkelberg, and Corres.Sec. Joyce Warner delivered the items.

On February 14, 2022, the club’s PRESIDENT’S PROJECT DAY OF SERVICE, emphasizing “Love, Respect and Kindness for all,” was the delivery of healthy food products to the Eat Better, Live Better initiative which is located in Delray Beach.  The vehicles of President Joycelyn Patrick and 2nd Vice President  Linn Okkelberg were filled with boxes and bags of nutritional groceries donated by club members and friends.  This community outreach, known as the Grocery Assistance Program, was founded in 2014 by Debra Tendrich.  To date the volunteers at the center have distributed  over ten million pounds of healthy groceries and fresh produce to families in need in Palm County.

Founder and CEO Debra Tendrich  with other Eat Better, Live Better volunteers  and several Delray Woman’s Club members.    They have donated 600 backpacks and school supplies to Palm Beach Country schools.

 

Projects in previous years included: 

2021 “Back-2-School Backpack” event  when 1000 backpacks were filled with school supplies.   Along with amazing community volunteers, our members gathered at the Community Center to pack supplies donated by the City of Delray Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and other partners and donors.

Collecting new men’s socks for the “Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach” was the chosen project for 2021, as well as collecting towels and old sheets to donate to “Puppy’s for Love.”  Woman’s Club  also supported three 10th grade girls from Atlantic High School for the HOBY Leadership Training Program in June.

Towels and 75 hygiene kits for homeless men and women who visit the “Shower Trucks”  and “Caring Kitchen” were contributed at our April 2021 meeting.

Vice President Linn Okkelberg collected and delivered 115 pairs of socks to Judy Fenney of the Interfaith Committee

Feeding the Hungry was the chosen District 10 President’s Project for 2020.  Members of the  Delray Beach Woman’s Club, as part of this Day of Service endeavor, collected an overwhelming amount of food (721 pounds!)  from family and neighbors.   Lynne Wolff and Joyce Warner packed their vehicles for delivery to the Delray Beach Food Pantry at C.R.O.S. Ministries on December 3.  Another car was packed and sent to the C.R.O.S. Lake Worth center, where food is distributed to the hungry in the Martin and Palm Beach counties.