NEW JERSEY – The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC) will host this year’s annual General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Middle Atlantic Regional Conference Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at The Showboat in Atlantic City.
The conference brings together clubwomen from Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania for three days to share ideas, learn current GFWC information, attend workshops, and conduct important business, including elections.
The GFWC is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With more than 60,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state, the District of Columbia, and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members work in their own communities to support the arts, preserve natural resources, advance education, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding.
The Middle Atlantic Region (MAR) is one of the eight regions of GFWC that meets annually in the Fall to discuss upcoming philanthropic initiatives. GFWC President Debra Strahanoski will attend the 2023 MAR Conference as an honored guest. The inaugural GFWC Day of Service, observed by clubs throughout the nation, will take place during the conference on September 30, 2023.
The theme of this year’s Day of Service is food insecurity. Conference attendees will bring non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (ECF) food pantry. In addition, $10 gift cards from Walmart and Target will be collected and used in ECF food baskets for their client families. NJSFWC supports ECF, a non-profit that provides material, emotional, and financial support to families of children with cancer, as its Special State Project during the 2022-2024 administration of President Shirley Holly.
“We look forward to gathering together in New Jersey with our federation sisters this Fall for the Middle Atlantic Regional Conference,” said GFWC Middle Atlantic Region President Mary Pat Marcello. “And what a thrill to be able to launch the inaugural GFWC Day of Service during the conference, to work together to combat food insecurity, an issue impacting so many in our local communities.”
“The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs is honored to host this year’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, where we will welcome our sisters from Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania to our wonderful state for a weekend of friendship, philanthropy, and fun. We are grateful for their support of our Special State Project, the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, an important organization doing unique and vital work to support New Jersey families,” said NJSFWC President Shirley Holly.
