The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) R.I. gave back to veterans this past Friday, delivering 35 bags of goodies to the Rhode Island Veterans Home. Items included clothing, watches, wall clocks, hats, personal care items, sneakers, activity items, and bags of treats, among others. The drive also included collaboration with Bank of Newport, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Faith Formation Families, five other GFWC Clubs, and private donors.

GFWC volunteer Karen Leach said that the club, one of the oldest women’s volunteer clubs in the country, was in dire need of new members.

“Years ago, Rhode Island had 500 members throughout the state,” she said, saying that membership had dwindled down to around 200. “We are always looking for women who can give time during the month. We have working and retired women who do everything from stocking food pantry shelves, feeding fishermen on the docks soup, reading to children in schools, helping at a domestic violence shelter, working in nursing homes by cheering up the clients. There is some project for everyone.”

Contact Karen Leach at 401-749-2894, or by email at sackett159@aol.com if you are interested in volunteering.