Community Corner
Party For Community Kids Draws Women To Club Mission
The GFWC Brandon Junior Woman's Club works throughout the year to ensure a large Christmas party for children who otherwise might not get a bounty of gifts at home, due to tough economic times.
The intent behind the passion that each year brings a holiday bounty of Christmas good cheer and presents was clearly expressed by the women members of the GFWC Brandon Junior Woman’s Club.
“Just to see the joy and wonderment in their eyes, just to make them feel happy for a day,” said Stephanie Pierce, about the reasons why she and her fellow club members each year throw a party for Hillsborough County school children whose families face tough economic times. “This is the big project that as a club we do each year. Everything we do all year long [builds to this program].”
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For decades, the GFWC Brandon Junior Woman's Club has been hosting an annual children’s holiday party for children who otherwise might not get any gifts for Christmas.
Elementary school guidance counselors in the Greater Brandon area select and bring the students from their respective schools for holiday treats and a visit with Santa Claus.
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At this year's event, held at the First Presbyterian Church in Brandon, students from Pierce's marketing class at East Bay High School earned the right to assist with the event.
Santa Claus each year, for the past 16 or 17 years, has born a strong resemblance to Dave Dorsey, whose daughter, Kathy Peacock, had been in the club at the time he got started.
“I enjoy being around kids, seeing them happy and knowing they’re going to have a little bit of time to be happier,” Dorsey said. “Kids being with kids” and “giving them a candy cane,” is what makes the effort worthwhile, he added.
Liz Wheeler is the club’s outgoing president.
“We did Christmas for 93 children this year,” she said, a number that included, in some cases, the siblings of selected children. “We’ve been doing this project since the 1980’s and it’s one of our very few projects we do all year.”
Melissa Fielder is a counselor at Symmes Elementary School.
“This is the first time I’ve been [to this event],” she said. “I’m overwhelmed with the genoristy and time everyone put into this.”
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