Public Issues Community Service Program

 

Objective:  To educate our club members about the need to be involved with our community and about issues concerning our service members and families.

 

Citizenship

·         Increase patriotism and pride in your community, observe Moment of

 

             Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day each year

 

·         Help preserve historic sites, monuments, and homes

 

·        Inform and participate in the legislative process

 

Veteran’s Affairs

 

·         Conduct programs and projects to recognize and honor veterans

 

·         Provide resources to support military families

 

·         Send care packages to our troops

 

·         Invite men and women returning from service overseas to speak at your club meetings.

 

 

·         Work with law enforcement and first responders to increase public awareness

 

·         Provide in-kind and financial assistance to disaster victims

 

·         Sponsor First Aid, CPR classes and other disaster Recovery and Relief classes.

 

 

Safety

·         Educate and provide programs and training on home, auto, and Internet safety

 

·         Get involved with local National Night Out events

 

             Sponsor programs on crime prevention

 

 

 

GFWC PARTNERS

 

Kettering Foundation: An independent, nonpartisan research organization which explores ways that key political practices can be strengthened through innovations that emphasize roles for citizens.  Kettering’s research is conducted from the perspective of citizens and focuses on what people collectively can do to address problems affecting their lives, their community and their nation.

 

National Issues Forums: As a partner, Kettering engages with other civic, educational and professional groups, organizations and individuals to promote nonpartisan public deliberation in communities across the country.

 

 

Bridging and Bonding:  How Can We Create Engaged Communities in a Time of Rapid Change?  Issue book provides clubs with guidance on hosting community forums on this topic.
 

 

Club Programs/Projects:  Collect and donate adaptable clothing for Sew Much Comfort like woven or cotton knit boxer shorts (L, XL, XXL), heavy weight t-shirts in solid colors or college/professional team prints (M, L, XL); Contact local sports teams for t-shirts, shorts and/or pants donations; Hold fundraisers to purchase needed garments and supplies; Volunteer to be a seamstress;    Have a group sewing day.  Appoint one person as quality checker to ensure all sewing meets Sew Much Comfort standards.

    

 

 USO: Is a non-profit, congressionally chartered, private organization which relies on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities in support of U.S. troops around the world. USO Centers: More than 160 centers around the world serve military members and their families.  Clubs can collect needed items like salty snacks and water or host events to support center programs.

 

 

United Through Reading’s Military Program: Deployed parents are videotaped reading a book to their child.  The DVD and book are then sent to the child so they can watch mom or dad read a bedtime story.  All recording equipment, books, packing and shipping materials are supplied by the USO.  A $10 donation gives a child a bedtime story from a deployed parent.  Clubs can also host a book drive requesting new USO approved children’s books.

 

 

 

Operation Phone Home: USO distributes phone cards to service members and offers a Private Telephone Network providing dedicated phone and Internet service to centers in Afghanistan and Kuwait.  For a $25 donation, 70 service members can call home using the satellite service.

 

 

 

Sesame Street/USO Experience: Sesame Street Characters deliver live performances to military children age’s two to five.  Children also receive the Talk, Listen, Connect DVD which helps them cope with the effects of deployments, combat-related injuries and the loss of a loved one.

 

 

Warrior and Family Centers: Two stateside centers support healing heroes and their families, providing specialized services and programs designed to meet the needs of recovering troops and their families in a supportive and home-like setting.  One hundred percent of cash raised will go to support wounded warriors with no funds going to administrative or overhead costs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To ensure that all donations to GFWC Partner Organizations are reflected toward GFWC’s collective impact, write GFWC on the memo line of your check when making a donation.