IMPORTANT eGFWC news 9-25-03
Dear GFWC Members,
As you may know, the White House and Laura Bush, in conjunction with
Good Morning America (GMA), is launching an effort this week to donate
books to school libraries in several states. The White House and Mrs.
Bush have repeatedly been informed of GFWC's efforts with both LIBRARIES
2000 and LIBRARIES 2000 & Beyond, as well as our efforts here
in the District of Columbia with the Patricia Roberts Harris School.
To date, we have received little if any response to our requests for
any kind of involvement or endorsement.
GFWC's has an incredible record of success with our two recent library programs. It is frustrating, therefore, that this new combined effort will get the spotlight, while your hard work goes relatively unnoticed by the national media. For this reason, GFWC International President Judy Lutz is urging all clubs to contact both GMA and Mrs. Bush with a brief e-mail message that tells our story.
Please use the following sample e-mail and include pertinent
information about your club's achievements. Send your e-mail message
to: gma@abc.com and president@whitehouse.gov,
Attn: Laura Bush and forward a copy to gfwc@gfwc.org.
If every single GFWC club sends this message, maybe the White House
and GMA will take notice. Thank you.
Dear (Good Morning America or First Lady Laura Bush),
As Good Morning America launches its program to donate books to school
libraries, members of the GFWC (club name) of (city and state) want
you to know that we are currently involved in a similar project in
our local community. Since 2002, we have donated _____ books to the
following schools and libraries: (name them).
Our club's efforts are part of a large project designed by the General
Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) which has pledged, on behalf of
its 5,000 clubs across America, to raise and donate $2 million in
books and materials for elementary school libraries in the two-year
period 2002-2004. This current project follows GFWC's effort known
as LIBRARIES 2000, which was begun in response to the President's
Summit for America's Future in 1997, and ultimately raised $13.5 million
for books and materials for public libraries and public school libraries.
You also may be interested to know that during the Reagan presidency,
Mrs. Barbara Bush was GFWC's honorary literacy chairman.
To learn more about GFWC and its nationwide network of grassroots
volunteer community service efforts, please visit www.gfwc.org
(SEE another article on this subject...CLICK HERE)
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
Mattie Mullins
What is prayer?
I know you can answer that question. Prayer is talking to God. Prayer
is telling God how you feel. Prayer is thanking God. Prayer is asking
God for help - for yourself and for others.
Prayer is telling God that you are sorry when you have done wrong.
God always answers our prayers. Sometimes "yes". Sometimes
"no". Sometimes "wait".
1 John 5:14 speaks loudly to us. "Now this is the confidence
that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to his will,
he hears us."
I suggest we all pray for forgiveness. Pray when facing new situations.
Pray for others. Pray for our nation’s leaders. Pray for people
in other countries.
What is prayer? An opportunity. A challenge. A privilege.
I will be praying for each of you in the days, weeks and months to
come. "Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian Love."
The GFWC Junior Reading Circle in Morristown, TN held
its 14th annual Morristown Charity Horse Show the first weekend in
October. This year was our biggest horse show to date.
We were proud to be hosting the Tennessee Futurity (for weanlings
and yearlings) again this year. Our club members welcomed over 180
participants from seven states to the horse show. We had over 200
horses that participated during the weekend. The fun was capped off
by a Barn Party on Saturday night with over 150 people in attendance.
This is our clubs biggest annual event. Our club plans and prepares
for this event over an 8-month period. Each member participated in
selling ads for the program and working several shifts during the
show. Our club members participate in every facet of the horse show
- from running the concession stands, taking entries, handing out
ribbons and trophies to winners, hosting the Barn Party, and some
show their horses. While it is a great deal of work for each member,
it is a great time of building friendships and strengthening relationships
as we spend the weekend together.
We were proud this year to have our state president visit during the
horse show. Lana gave an extra sparkle to our event.
Over the past 13 years, over $80,000 have been given back to our community.
This year we will be donating over $11,000 to local charities in Morristown.
WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW WHAT GFWC IS ALL ABOUT - REACHING
OUR COMMUNITIES!!!!!!!!!!
Plan to join us next year October 1 - 3, 2004 for another great horse
show.
(pictures of this event on CLICK HERE)