Civic Engagement and Outreach
2023-2024 Chairperson: Raeanne Renner
This C.S.P. focuses on the following areas: Citizenship; engage members on key issues, legislative issues, and women’s history. Safety and Crime Prevention; activities to support local police and fire departments. Emergency and Disaster preparedness; donations to centers, shelters, schools. Military Veterans; contribute to national and local programs giving support to vets and their families.
There are also several international organizations or national projects that our club supports. Shot-At-Life, Heifer International, United Nations Unicef, and Shoes for Souls, just to name a few!
Support for Military Veterans
The women of GFWC - Gun Lake Area provide gifts and on-going support to the men and women that served our country, after their return to community life. For dozens of years, we have provided requested holiday gifts to the military vets at both the Battle Creek Veterans Hospital and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. At every November meeting, a Missing Man and Woman ceremony is held to honor the veterans of all U.S. military services. Veterans, whether alive or deceased, and POW / MIA military personnel are remembered.
The national project: ‘Homes for our Troops’ builds homes that help rebuild life for a local veteran and family. After a new home is built for a wounded soldier, the club participates by providing supplies, furniture, and books for the veteran and family.
Club women also write personal notes and send “thinking of you” cards to the veterans on Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas. Monetary donations are given to the VFW National Home for Children, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. When needed, we provide clothing and household items for the families living there.
Our club also raises money for the ‘Talons Out Honor Flight’ which is a project that flies veterans to Washington, D. to visit their specific military or war memorial at no cost.
‘Sew Much Comfort’ is another project our members have worked on to provide custom-made clothing for wounded service members. Adaptive clothing accommodates medical devices and minimizes the visual impact of medical conditions or injuries. Other sewing projects included making over 200 wool helmet liners for active military serving in cold regions, and providing lap robes and travel bags for walker and wheelchair users.
Laurels of Sandy Creek Nursing Home
- Bingo Bucks: GFWC - GLA helps support this friendly activity by providing small items to be won by residents when playing bingo games that take place regularly at the home.
- Christmas Joy: Members of Gun Lake Area GFWC enjoy filling colorful Christmas gift bags with items suitable for nursing home residents. Every resident finds a special gift under the tree during their annual Christmas party. Over 100 gifts are provided each year.
2023-2024 Chairperson: Raeanne Renner
This C.S.P. focuses on the following areas: Citizenship; engage members on key issues, legislative issues, and women’s history. Safety and Crime Prevention; activities to support local police and fire departments. Emergency and Disaster preparedness; donations to centers, shelters, schools. Military Veterans; contribute to national and local programs giving support to vets and their families.
There are also several international organizations or national projects that our club supports. Shot-At-Life, Heifer International, United Nations Unicef, and Shoes for Souls, just to name a few!
Support for Military Veterans
The women of GFWC - Gun Lake Area provide gifts and on-going support to the men and women that served our country, after their return to community life. For dozens of years, we have provided requested holiday gifts to the military vets at both the Battle Creek Veterans Hospital and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. At every November meeting, a Missing Man and Woman ceremony is held to honor the veterans of all U.S. military services. Veterans, whether alive or deceased, and POW / MIA military personnel are remembered.
The national project: ‘Homes for our Troops’ builds homes that help rebuild life for a local veteran and family. After a new home is built for a wounded soldier, the club participates by providing supplies, furniture, and books for the veteran and family.
Club women also write personal notes and send “thinking of you” cards to the veterans on Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas. Monetary donations are given to the VFW National Home for Children, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. When needed, we provide clothing and household items for the families living there.
Our club also raises money for the ‘Talons Out Honor Flight’ which is a project that flies veterans to Washington, D. to visit their specific military or war memorial at no cost.
‘Sew Much Comfort’ is another project our members have worked on to provide custom-made clothing for wounded service members. Adaptive clothing accommodates medical devices and minimizes the visual impact of medical conditions or injuries. Other sewing projects included making over 200 wool helmet liners for active military serving in cold regions, and providing lap robes and travel bags for walker and wheelchair users.
Laurels of Sandy Creek Nursing Home
- Bingo Bucks: GFWC - GLA helps support this friendly activity by providing small items to be won by residents when playing bingo games that take place regularly at the home.
- Christmas Joy: Members of Gun Lake Area GFWC enjoy filling colorful Christmas gift bags with items suitable for nursing home residents. Every resident finds a special gift under the tree during their annual Christmas party. Over 100 gifts are provided each year.