LUDLOW, Vt. – The GFWC Okemo Valley Women’s Club annual benefit yard sale was again a huge fundraising success in 2020! Despite the pandemic and these difficult times, the club decided to hold their annual benefit sale to raise funds for their community volunteer projects. Observing the need to follow state mandates for safety, the club found a site where they could hold the sale and still have space to be safely distanced.
The Okemo Mountain School graciously allowed the club to use their front lawn, which sits right on Main Street in Ludlow where there would be great exposure, plenty of room, and parking. As the weekly Ludlow Farmer’s Market is held at this site, provisions were already in place to allow shoppers to follow foot traffic arrows and for vendors to set up six feet from each other. The sale was held over the Labor Day weekend with great success. The sale was well attended with people properly masked and observing directional markings and maintaining social distancing. Lots of fun and interesting goods were available including antiques, homemade masks, and a late summer version of the club’s famous President’s Day Bake and Food Sale.
The Okemo Valley Women’s Club would like to thank the Okemo Mountain School and the local community for their support of this annual event. The club’s fundraising efforts benefit scholarships, which they give locally, and at the state level benefits Black River Good Neighbor Services, Mountainside House, Twenty Mile Stream House, and a multitude of local community projects.
The September meeting was held Monday, Sept. 14 at the Ludlow Community Center. Seventeen members were present along with one guest and the space allowed the club to gather according to state Covid-19 guidelines with social distancing and masks.
New officers were introduced. The business meeting reviewed the club’s activities and events that have occurred since the last meeting on March of this year. In early June, the ladies held their annual garden project of planting flowers, weeding, mulching, and trimming established gardens at Mountainside House. This year the gardeners wore masks along with their work gloves.
With formal graduations canceled, several club women also participated in the BRHS graduation parade in June. This spring the club’s annual college scholarships were awarded to two local students who are planning study toward careers as a nurse and electrician.
Ongoing discussions regarding fundraising, community volunteer projects, and statewide meetings were also held. One of our members is the current Vermont state president and explained that the Northeast regional meeting in October of this year will be virtual but will include several interesting events for virtual participation over three days. The GFWC winter meeting in February 2021 will be held via Zoom and the state meeting is planned for April 2021. Committee reports were given and committees formed for new projects and events.
The remaining meetings for the 2020-21 year will be hybrid meetings as the pandemic continues. Anyone interested in more information about the GFWC Okemo Valley Women’s Club is welcome to contact President Penny Trick at 860-304-6558, Membership chairwoman Roxie Davis at 802-226-7417, or any member.
GFWC, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.