6-06-2023 4:47am

Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club Announces $17,000 in Community Donations

Lesley Misko Editor

by Danelle Matlack, Boyertown Junior Woman's Club

Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club recently announced that they have made just over $17,000 in community contributions to benefit local communities this year. BJWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, one of the world’s largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational women’s volunteer service organizations.

The club year, which runs from September through May, is filled with meetings, community events, and fundraisers. BJWC’s biggest fundraiser is their annual “Girls’ Night Out Basket Raffle." The raffle which was held in March raised over $13,000.

This year the Children’s Alliance of Berks County (“CAC”) received seventy percent of the monies raised. A check in the amount of $9,315 was presented to Amy Sundstrom, CAC director, at a recent BJWC gathering.

Members of Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club proudly present a check in the amount of $9,315 to Children’s Alliance of Berks County at their end of year meeting. Left to right: Amy Sundstrom, CAC director; Annette Mueller, BJWC treasurer; Bridgit Petrauskas, BJWC member; Joan Hannahoe, BJWC member.

Notable 2023 contributions include a $2,000 donation to Boyertown Community Ambulance. This organization has been providing much needed community service since 1941.

Boyertown Ambulance_2023]: BJWC presents a $2,000 donation to Boyertown Ambulance. From left to right: Annette Mueller, Kristen Duffy, Bridgit Petrauskas, Andy Lafaver- paramedic, Matt Pyle- EMT, Jim Boyer- Chief, Kimberly Slonaker- Board member, Jane Prutzman, Kim Seidel, & Debbie Brumbach.

BJWC’s other contributions include a $500 donation to The Boyertown Community Library for new shelving, a $750 donation to the Boyertown Borough Recreation Board for a bench near the pickle ball courts, a $650 donation to Boyertown YMCA, a $650 donation to NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness, a $500 donation to the General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum, a $500 donation to the Boyertown Historical Society to support the 2023 Halloween parade, a $100 donation to the Lehigh Valley Health Network in memory of BJWC member Elaine Mehle, as well as a $80 donation to support Glam Bags.

Club members gather outside in the sunshine to make a $750 donation to the Boyertown Recreation Board for a bench at the pickle ball courts. The check was presented to
Mayor Lori Carnes and Anita Meehan.

On May 12th, Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club made a $500 donation to the Boyertown Community Library. The check was presented to Tina Brown- Board president (left) and Denise Palgino Stout- Librarian (right). The contribution will go towards new shelving.

Another stop for members was at the General Carl Spaatz Museum where they made a $500 donation to Chris Boswell, Curator.

Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club presents a $500 check to the Historical Society in support of the 2023 Halloween parade. Historical Society members holding check from left to right: Adrianne Zapien, Luanne Zambanini, & Rachael Kehler.

Additionally, two $1,000 scholarships were designated to graduating Boyertown High School seniors to support their continuing education.

“It is truly an honor to be part of this hard-working group of service driven women,” said Kristen Duffy, Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club board president. “BJWC is committed to strengthening our community through volunteerism. We also value the relationships we have with each other and the non-profit organizations we work with through our service.”

If you are interested in learning more about Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club and in joining their efforts, visit their Facebook page GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Boyertown and be sure to look for information on their upcoming meet & greet event. BJWC meets monthly from September through May. Most meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in Boyertown.

The Boyertown Junior Woman’s Club is comprised of a group of dedicated women who volunteer their time and talents to enrich the Boyertown area and beyond with projects benefiting our youth and those in need. BJWC organization is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), one of the world's largest and oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational, women's volunteer service organizations.