Women’s Club plans for the future

NEW HARTFORD — On Thursday, Jan. 8, The Women’s Club of New Hartford, founded in 1966, met for its monthly meeting at the South End Firehouse.

The meeting included planning for fundraisers for the club’s scholarship program, a babysitting course class and other plans, all of which were followed by a bunco game.

“We used to be part of the General Federation of Women, and then we split off into the The Woman’s Club and now we are The Women’s Club,” club member Marie Kitch said. “We’re focusing on bringing in more members this year. We do a lot of fundraising, and so we’ve become a bit disorganized.”

Member Penny Miller, affectionately called “The head mouse,” said she is very proud of the club.

“We do a backpacks for children program in which we fill children’s backpacks with what they need for school,” Miller said. “Also if somebody needs food during Thanksgiving, we donate all the food we can give.”

“I’ve been with the club for seven or eight years. I’ve been a secretary and a treasurer, but now I’m just one of the ladies. I am glad to say that we do good,” longtime member Carie Hodel said. “Breakfast with Santa and the Halloween bash were probably the best fundraisers we did last year. They took a lot of woman-power but brought a bunch of local women together for the common good. Down the road I’d like to see more members, and I’d like to see us do more for the community.”

Paul Itter, whose wife was a member of the club, visited the meeting and mentioned his appreciation of the club, which he said has helped him and his family greatly in the wake of his wife’s death.

“The New Hartford Women’s Club is by the far the most influential civic organization in town,” Itter said. “The dynamic and result-driven leaders, past and present, have greatly impacted the town and other civic organizations in town. The Women’s Club is really at the core of New Hartford.”

The club meets on the first Thursday of each month at the South End Firehouse in New Hartford.

For more information on the New Hartford Women’s Club go to www.newhartfordwomensclub.org.

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