GFWC-NYS 2018 Conventon/Community Awards

GFWC-NYS 2018 Convention/Community Awards

President Tina Diamond, together with club members Dolores Cianciabella, Barbara Hoerner and Loda Romanelli, attended the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) NYS Convention in Albany. President Diamond was nominated and accepted the 2-year position of Island Metro District Director recently held by club member Barbara Hoerner. Both ladies also accepted positions on the GFWC-NYS Board and President Diamond was nominated and accepted as a NYS Leads candidate.

At convention, the Women’s Club of Farmingdale was the proud recipient of the several awards: 1^st Place from the GFWC Women’s History and Resource Center for the placing of an historical marker at the still standing, 100+ year-old home of the club’s founder, Abigail E. Leonard; 1^st Place for the Home/Life award entitled “Monday’s at Racine” a cancer care program for support and comfort of cancer patients while receiving treatment; 1^st Place for Public Issues which again includes the historical marker at the home of the club’s founder, as well as the club’s partnership with the General Needs Organization to help LI homeless veterans purchase underwear and clothing for male and female veterans; 1^st Place for Legislation & Public Policy for the club’s active involvement with NYS Senator Kemp Hannon and the NYS DOT to urge an investigation into the roadway at a well-known and proven fatal traffic intersection which resulted in the posting of a new traffic control sign and reduction of speed limit; 1^st Place from the GFWC Signature Project for the club’s Santa Bag project which filled holiday bags with children’s hats, mittens, etc. and the Pocketbook project which filled small purses with toiletries and larger purses (diaper bags) with baby items. Both projects were donated to the Madonna Heights Homeless Shelter; and finally 2^nd Place for the club’s Back-to-School project which collected backpacks filled with school supplies for needy children. Three of the club’s projects will be entered in the GFWC National Convention competition to be held in Missouri in June

WCF member, Frances Rotondo, put together a beautiful book highlighting the many accomplishments of Miss Abigail E. Leonard, the club’s founder and co-founder of the Farmingdale Public Library. It consists of photos and articles focusing on several projects commemorating and honoring Miss Leonard including a centennial birthday celebration in 2013 and the placing of an historical marker at her home in Farmingdale in 2017. This historical collection will be donated to the library and stored in its historical archives room.

Nominations for the 2018-2020 WCF Board were presented to members and accepted. Installations will take place at the June meeting.

Submitted by Maria Ortolani