GFWC Book Lovers Study Club receives AFWC State Awards
The GFWC Book Lovers Club held its final meeting of the year at the home of Carolyn Porter with Michelle Sibley and Rebecca Reeves serving as co-hostess May 14. Club members enjoyed a relaxing meeting and wonderful dinner on the patio.
Kathy Archer, who will be moving to Priceville this summer, was honored with an appreciation gift from the club for all her volunteer work on club projects for the past several years.
President Cheri McCain reported on the 120th AFWC Annual Convention in Guntersville that she, Patricia, and Susie attended. They attended business meetings, accepted lots of awards and had a great time. The awards received were the President’s Club of Excellence; first place in GFWC Signature Project-Domestic Violence Awareness; Creativity Award for efforts in Domestic Violence Awareness; Education Community Service Project; AFWC Scholarships; GFWC Advancement Area in Legislation and Public Policy; and the GFWC Advancement Area in Membership Award.
Book Lovers was also recognized in donating money to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, the 2728 Society, the AFWC Scholarship Fund and outstanding participation award in the Ronald McDonald House Charities Pop Tab collection. Book Lovers also received one of the four $900 scholarships awarded by the University of Alabama for the club’s outstanding yearbook.
At one of the convention banquets, Ginger Stone spoke on the book, “As the Sycamore Grows,” which is based on her experience with domestic violence. AFWC state president Jackie Clark presented Ginger with a $250 donation for Safeplace.
During the convention, a motion was made by the floor to adopt a resolution to send to the state legislature in Montgomery about the governor’s efforts to close the state parks if his budget does not pass. AFWC State Resolution Chairman, Susie Malone, wrote the resolution and submitted it to the delegation, and the resolution was unanimously adopted.
Conservation Community Service Committee reported that a Kwanzaa tree in honor of Arbor Day and Earth Day was planted in City Lake Park.
It was reported that Book Lovers members donated 50 pairs of shoes for the Soles4Souls project. Book Lovers turned in 55 pounds and 8 ounces of pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Susie Malone reported on the scholarships presented at the RHS Honors Night Program. Recipients were Ashley Dunstan, AFWC Past President Scholarship – $400; Michaela Fish, AFWC District I Scholarship – $500; Anna Catherine Smith, Book Lovers 3rd Highest GPA Scholarship – $200; Casey Brandenburg, AFWC Book Lovers Yearbook Scholarship to the University of Alabama – $900. Club members were thanked for their hard work and dedication for presenting $2,000 in scholarships to our local students.
Gayle McAlister presented an enjoyable program on Fannie Flagg’s book, “The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion.” She also gave out bookmarks and a list of books for summer reading that Lela compiled.
