Community Corner
GFWC Brandon Junior Woman's Club Yard Sale Benefits Children, Troops, Renovation Drive
The old house on Moon Avenue is the home of the GFWC Junior Woman's Club, a group that provides goods for children in need at home and troops in service overseas. The group's April 16 yard sale raised funds for both these efforts and clubhouse repairs.
With an eye on the future and a nod to the past, the GFWC Brandon Junior Woman's Club set out its stall April 16 to raise funds for the group’s historic clubhouse, which has been standing since 1928.
Proceeds from the group’s annual yard sale benefit also the club’s charitable endeavors, which include sending packages to military personnel serving overseas and helping needy children.
The yard sale featured books, clothing, household items, crafts and furniture. Members also sold food, drinks and baked goods.
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The group took over the clubhouse, 129 North Moon Ave., five years ago, a gift from the Brandon’s Woman’s Club.
“It was a wonderful gift but it’s an older building and we are looking at around $20,000 in repairs including a new roof and electrical work,” said Liz Wheeler, president of the Junior Woman’s Club.
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Among the public service projects benefiting from the yard sale were:
- Christmas gifts for needy children. Last year, the group asked local school guidance counselors for the names of children who might go without during the holidays. They provided three gifts as well as school supplies and clothes to 85 youngsters as a result.
- School supplies for children. The club adopted Kenly Elementary in Tampa four years ago, a school were more than 90 percent of the students need subsidized lunches. “I called the School Board and told them we wanted to support a school in need and they put me in touch with Kenly,” said club member Donna Griffin. “I fell in love with the school because it reminded me of my old school and the staff there is just wonderful.” Thanks to the club’s efforts and help from corporate sponsors, GTE Federal Credit Union and Target, more than 900 children had backpacks and school supplies this year.
- Packages for troops. Last year, the club was able to mail 300 packages filled with hometown goodies to military personnel overseas.
For more information on the club, contact: Jeanette Kjosa at jfkjosa@msn.com.
