HOW WE SERVE

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Macclenny is a 501(c)3 service-oriented organization, a part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs www.GFWC.org and GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs www.GFWCFlorida.org.

You are invited to see what can be achieved through a group of dedicated women. Be apart of General Membership or learn about our Community Service Programs, our Advancement Areas, or Organizations we support to lend your time to one (or more) of the causes!

"LIVING THE VOLUNTEER SPIRIT"

The GFWC Woman's Club of Macclenny stands apart from other service organizations through the broad reach of our initiatives. Our members are committed to making a difference both locally and nationally, driven by a shared passion for improving communities through volunteer work.

In essence, we change lives—whether through small gestures or significant actions.

Our community service programs touch every aspect of our members’ lives, as well as those of their families and the wider community. We design our projects to harness the collective strengths of our members to meet the most pressing needs of the areas we serve.

The GFWC Woman's Club of Macclenny focuses on key issues that shape our communities every day, from supporting women’s health and preserving the environment to promoting literacy, equality, civic engagement, and volunteerism.

BECOME A MEMBER

OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS

Membership in the GFWC Woman's Club of Macclenny brings you everything from new friends to exciting social events and personal development opportunities. Members are dedicated to preserving the values of the community on which the founding members built. We are committed to enhancing our community through our various community service programs and events. Contact us to get involved!! We have something for everyone! Not sure? Come to a meeting to learn more! Check here for our next meeting!

ARTS & CULTURE

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Linda Royal

Arts and culture are vital to enhancing our quality of life, enriching human experience and perspective. Art education fosters critical thinking, focus, creativity, and collaboration, while cultural awareness broadens our ability to communicate and connect with diverse people and experiences.

Our Contribution: The Arts and Culture CSP supports our local Drama club each year. Our yearly Arts & Craft competition encourages our members to show off their talents. We benefit from the October craft bazaar by getting vendors to participate by renting booths to sell their wares.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Betty Center

Civic Engagement and Outreach encourages each of us to recognize our role in building a better society and strengthening community bonds at all levels—local, regional, national, and global. This commitment is guided by four key areas: citizenship; crime prevention, safety, and disaster Preparedness; supporting the needy, hungry, and homeless; and honoring and assisting military personnel and veterans.

Our Contribution: Every year we donate and are involved in the Memorial Day Service by donating a wreath for remembrance of all Veterans. We actively support events at our State Mental Hospital, NEFSH, located in our community by sponsoring requests during special events. We are involved in the Sheriff's Department creation of an emergency recovery program and we are committed to educating on the value of home grown foods.

EDUCATION & LIBRARIES

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Tamela Gallo

Education and Libraries are central to GFWC's mission, with members dedicated to supporting learning at all levels while embracing lifelong learning themselves. Through the Education and Libraries Community Service Program, GFWC promotes literacy, supports schools and educational institutions, and fosters a love for reading and libraries.

Our Contribution: We actively support local schools through strategic distribution of essential supplies, including clothing, hygiene items, and educational materials, while maintaining oversight of the HOBY leadership program and scholarship initiatives. We foster literacy through coordinated book fairs and the Ferst Readers program, while engaging club members in meaningful volunteer opportunities that directly impact students' educational experience.

ENVIRONMENT

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Brenda Voight

This initiative calls on us to be responsible stewards of the earth by conserving resources and protecting both wildlife and domestic animals, adopting sustainable living practices, and enhancing community spaces and embracing nature. Our environment includes everything around us—the air, water, plants, animals, soil, and resources beneath us—all essential for life.

Our Contribution: We collect and recycle aluminum cans with the ladies in our club and community. From August through December the cans were donated to the band department at the Baker County High School to supplement costs of repairing instruments and fund field trips. From January forward, these cans are donated to The Arc, a local community center devoted to care for challenged adults. The tabs from the cans are donated to Ronald McDonald House. During our August meeting I gifted our members with living plants and in our March meeting will have an open exchange of new seedlings. This promotes a sense of well being, can be nourishing and creates oxygen!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Lanie Willis

The Health and Wellness Community Service Program educates members on issues impacting the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Improving well-being involves focusing on three essential areas: nutrition, disease prevention, and physical and emotional care.

Our Contribution: As the Health & Wellness Chairman I have encouraged our club to participate in the community by hosting a free Community Health Fair, preparing "goodie baskets" for the local nursing homes as well as the Baker County Council on Aging (COA). Through the COA, we support the "Meals on Wheels" program at Christmas & Valentines Day. We also support the Samaritan Food Bank each month by donating non-perishable foods.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & HUMAN TRAFFICKING

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Max McDaniel

The goal of GFWC’s Signature Program is to increase awareness and prevent violence against women worldwide, with a focus on human trafficking. We create awareness campaigns to educate communities about human trafficking. We also advocate for legislation to hold traffickers accountable and oppose laws that decriminalize human trafficking.

Our Contribution: We

OUR ADVANCEMENT AREAS

ESO

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Max McDaniel

FUNDRAISING

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Jessika Johns & Rhonda Hiser

LEADERSHIP

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Trilby Crews

MEMBERSHIP

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Debbie Griffin

COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC RELATIONS

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Shirley Padgett

Website, Newsletter & Yearbook: Jessika Johns

Facebook: Lanie Willis

WOMAN'S HISTORY

GFWC Macclenny Chairman: Shirley Padgett

SOME ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT

GFWC Florida President's Project

During each GFWC Florida administration, the President has the wonderful opportunity to choose a President's Project. For this term, GFWC Florida President, Sara Dessureau has chosen to honor our GFWC Florida Women Veterans through a Flight to Honor. Veterans are such an important part of not only our history, but in the continuing sacrifices they make for our country. While we honor all of our veterans, Sara wanted to pay special tribute to female veterans in the GFWC Florida organization.

GFWC Florida Junior

Director's Project

Racquel Sturgis, GFWC Florida Director of Junior Clubs for 2024-2026, has chosen One More Child as her Director's Project. Having personally navigated fertility treatments and adoption, she aims to raise awareness and support for others facing similar challenges. One More Child, established in 1904 and based in Lakeland, is a child welfare agency serving foster and adoptive children, trafficked youth, hungry children, single mothers, and struggling families across more than 50 locations worldwide, including over a dozen in Florida.

Heifer

International

Heifer is one of the International projects we support! The concept is to give a hand up to those in need. Then they are to pay it forward! Families are given a farm animal and taught how to care for it to make better lives for their families. An example would be chickens. The chickens give eggs which can be a healthy part of their diet or sold or traded for other products. Having a rooster can result in many chickens to sell, etc. Even though we strongly support charities in our local area and see the needs every day, we can at the same time, support world projects that help uplift people from poverty and disease.

Operation

Smile

Operation Smile is another International project we support. Children with cleft palates are operated on for free. Doctors and nurses donate their time and talent for free. Items needed for the surgery such as: a mirror so they can see themselves after surgery; a plain white doll so nurses can mark on the doll what is happening during surgery; a comb; toothbrush and toothpaste; and a gown to wear during surgery, may cost $250. Smile donations cover the cost of these items. Many of the children continue to wear the gowns afterward.

THE GFWC WOMANS CLUB OF MACCLENNY

HOW WE SERVE

"LIVING THE VOLUNTEER SPIRIT"

OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS

OUR ADVANCEMENT AREAS

SOME ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT

THE GFWC WOMANS
CLUB OF MACCLENNY