History of the Stafford Junior Women's Club
The Stafford Junior Women's Club was chartered on March 13, 1968.
Nineteen members appointed temporary officeres and began several projects: Operation Deep Freeze: Members and friends baked and decorated birthday cakes, which were frozen and brought to Mansfield State Training School. Support of Servicemen stationed overseas: Packages were put together for Christmas and birthdays and hometown newspapers were shipped to military men stationed far from home. Support of the Foreign Exchange Student Program: To reaise money for this project, the Juniors sponsored plays and held a flea market. Johnson Memorial Hospital: Assisted in purchasing a kidney dialysis machine. The Juniors participated in a drive to collect Betty Crocker coupons that were used to fund the project.
In addition to these projects, the early Stafford Juniors pitched in to help the local firemen at a fire on Route 19 by seeking food donations to bring to the scene of the fire. They also volunteered at vision screening clinics.
Additional activities have included: a Halloween Masquerade Dance, a Formal Ball to mark the 25th anniversary of Stafford, monetary donations to a recreation room at the elderly housing complex, and to the Stafford Springs Public Library. They could also be seen with their husbands putting on a leaf mulching demonstration, conducting a babsitting course or serving 850 hot dogs during the Stafford Environmental Endeavor Day in May 1971.
As the years passed, the Stafford Juniors helped many Service in Action projects to benefit the community. They included: Staffing of the Haunted HOuse at the Town Hall, distributing apples to teachers during Naitonal Education Week, sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt, donating camping supplies to Boy Scouts, planters for Main Street, and putting on a talent show.
In the mid seventies, new members took on a challenge sponsoring the Stafford Junior Miss Pageant. They solicited aid for earthquake victims in Guatemala, purchased a bulletproof vest for the Stafford Springs Police, and co-sponosred an Arts and Crafts Fair with the Stafford Women's Club. On October 25, 1977 the Stafford Junior Women's Club was elected to membership in the Connecticut State Federation of Women's Club, Inc.
Stafford Juniors continued to provide a variety of services. They put on a Christmas party at Avery Park, a Halloween Party and a puppet show at Memorial Hall. "Babysitting with Santa" was an aid for shopping parents whick included a picture taken with Santa. A Tag and Bake sale became tradition as well as bus trips to Quincy Market, the Boston Flower Show and New York City.
in 1982, the Historical Society and the Junior Women teamed up to present a Stafford Home Tour and they ran a grocery wheel, bakery wheel, face painting, and a one-night kissing booth at the Stafford Springs Firemen's Carnival. Profits went to Lupus Research. In 1983, they gave unwanted dolls a face-lift and new clothes and were put on display at the public library. Subsequently, the dolls were donated to local children. The ladies were active in the passage of the Orphan Drug Bill through phone calls and letters. Boxes were set up for donations to the Stafford Human Services Food Bank and 1982 saw a donation of a freezer to Human Services.
As the '80s turned into the '90s, Stafford Juniors continued their yearly projects as well as cooking at the Friendship Kitchen, washing cars, created a Gourmet Club, held an International Dinner each month at a different member's house, held Teddy Bear tea parties, sold flowers and sponsored craft shows. They marched in parades, cooked hot dogs and painted faces. They gave away thousands of dollars, donated thousands of hours, and received thousands of smiles.
In 1988, the Stafford Junior Women's Club celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a party at Memorial Hall. Former Juniors, Connecticut Junior State representatives and District representatives were in attendance. They had a potluck dinner and were entertained by the Stafford High School Madrigals. They shared memories, laughed at old photographs, enjoyed the company of old friends and made new friends.
As the Club approached the new centruy, they continue to support a variety of community activities including: the annual Halloween Party: for over a hundred children dressed in costumes with fun, games, prizes, and costume judging. The free event collects donations for the Food Bank; Apples for Teachers: during Education Week, apples are polished, packaged and delivered to each school; Avery Park Holiday Party; this event includes lunch, desserts, bingo, prizes, and entertainment provided by the Madrigals; Spring Party: to include a coloring contest, entertainment, goodies, and raffle prizes. "Adopt-a- Family": this rewarding project includes Holiday meals, Christmas gifts, Easter baskets, and other in-kind donations provided to a local family. Stafford Junior Women's Club Scholarship: the number of scholarships varies from year to year; preference is gvien to the children of current and past Club members. The award recognizes drive, determination, service experience and community contributions of the applicants; Father/Daughter Dance: this annual event is sponsored by the Stafford Lion's Club. The Juniors support the food table and assist with taking photographs; HOBY Award: the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership organization provides lifelong leadership development opportunities empowering individuals to achieve their highest potential. Each year, we sponsor a sophomore who attends a four day seminar; Madrigal Feaste; the Club sells crowns and ornaments at this annual High School production. Student of the Month: each month the Club recognizes a Stafford High School student for their service contribution; Vetern's Celebration at Evergreen; annually the Club recognized the Veterans by creating placemats, flag pins or other items for the residents at Evergreen.
In 2003, the Junior Women's Club iniated the Valentine Mother/Son Breakfast. Boys in kindergarten through twelth grade were invited to bring their special lady for breakfast. The Juniors also participated in Stafford Fall Festivals selling Apple Betty.
In 2005, the Juniors held their annual Pot Luck dinner, supported Hurricane Katrina relief, filled new Teacher Bags, participated in the Stafford Summerfest, and introduced the "Ta Da" award, presented yearly to the member who consistently went above and beyond the call of duty. In October, representatives from the Club attended a reunion of Stafford Junior Women. The club participated in a Relay for Life fundraising event, hosted a Lia Sophia Jewelry party with profits generously donated to Time for Life, introduced Stafford Santa Letters and two members (mother and daughter) delveloped the Stafford Junior Women's Club Web site.
In 2007, the Club decided to set up Car Wahses specifically to support fundraising effors for the annual Scholarship. Individual Juniors "sponsored" games for the annual Holloween party, Willington Nameplated donated a new Stafford Junior Women's Club banner. The Club made and sold Christmas ornaments at the annual Madrigal Feaste.
In 2008, the Club anticipated for the 40th Anniversary, formed a Cookbook Committee and an Anniversary Committee. New Stafford Junior Women's Club t-shirs were ordered. The Stafford Junior Women's Club continues to support numerous services for the Town of Stafford, as well as the Connecticut State Chapter of Junior Women by attending September Boards, Fall Conference, Spring Conference, and the President's Dinner.
STAFFORD JUNIOR WOMEN'S CLUB
