With a beautiful stained-glass window as the backdrop in the Old Stone Church, Naperville Woman’s Club members and guests gathered on March 28 to recognize 17 local charities and agencies for their tireless work in making the community a better place. The positive energy in the room was enhanced when the NWC presented checks totaling $42,000 and awarded another $8,000 to fund three scholarships to students pursuing degrees in education, human services and fine arts. The gifts amounted to a record high for any year since the philanthropic organization began in 1897.
During the 2017-2018 club year, the NWC also collected and donated dental and hygiene products and paper goods to various agencies. According to Dawn Dau, NWC philanthropy chair, “When our members see people in need, particularly families and veterans, they are always more than generous with their time, talents and resources.”
The NWC Focus Charity for 2017-2018 is Families Helping Families (FHF), a Naperville charity dedicated to guiding families to self-sufficiency in DuPage County. For more than 20 years, FHF has provided apartments and volunteer mentors to homeless families in DuPage County while they are working to reclaim their lives through education. FHF has no administrative expenses, so every dollar they raise is a dollar that helps the homeless, explained Vicky Joseph, founder of the Naperville nonprofit organization in the mid-1990s.
This year’s gift from the Naperville Woman’s Club to Families Helping Families is $15,000.
“The commitment that FHF has shown to these families is among the most heart warming we have ever seen,” said NWC President Julie Cunningham. “We cannot think of a better organization to select as our Focus Charity.”
Grant recipients were in attendance to be recognized during the check presentations when every recipient had a chance to say a few words about his or her organization.
“We are a community that works together,” said Joseph as she addressed members, guests and representatives from the other nonprofits. “We really do change lives.”
Other recipient charities this year include Family Shelter Services, Loaves and Fishes, People’s Resource Center, SamaraCare, KidsMatter, Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, Riverwalk Adult Day Services, Naperville Responds For Veterans, Canine Companions for Independence, ClaySpace, Naperville Heritage Society, Aunt Mary’s Storybook Projects, Little Friends, NAMI, Women at Risk, and Mutual Ground.
Naperville Woman’s Club since 1897
The Naperville Woman’s Club is a philanthropic organization devoted to supporting the arts, education and community service. Founded in 1897, it is one of the longest established organizations in Naperville. The club’s headquarters are in the landmark building, The Old Stone Church, at 14 S. Washington Street in downtown Naperville.
Each year, the NWC puts on the Fine Art Fair at Naper Settlement, the Witches Night Out Naperville fundraiser, the Young Adult Art Contest, and supports three college scholarships. (During the check presentation, NWC members noted that the first-ever scholarship went to North Central College in 1937.)
New members and guests are welcome to attend NWC meetings held in the historic clubhouse that is also available for rentals for private events.
For more information about membership, programs, rentals, fundraisers and the longest-running art fair in Illinois, call (630) 420-9680 or visit www.napervillewomansclub.org or http://www.facebook.com/Napervillewomansclub.
