2016 Accomplishments in Home Life

Through our Home Life Community Service area we address issues that affect the well-being of individuals, families, and communities such as women’s health, theft prevention, service dog programs, people with disabilities, healthy lifestyles, childcare, and eldercare.  Our projects in 2016 were:

1.   The second Monday of each month (12 months of the year), club members entertained a group of residents at Grace Healthcare, a local nursing home in Franklin, with Bingo.  We collected and supplied small prizes for the winners.  We averaged about 30 residents playing each month and everyone won a prize before the final game ended..  This project promotes cognitive activity, fosters fellowship and friendships, and provides an entertaining diversion from the loneliness felt by many residents.   In the months with special occasions we made the atmosphere festive with center  pieces, colorful beads, stuffed animals and other decorative items associated with that holiday.  This is our longest established project.               

2.       In the Spring and Fall, members collected and transported several vehicle loads of used clothing and household goods to The Second Time Around boutique in Wartburg, TN., for the Unicorn Fund GFWC Mountain Project.  Wartburg is in an economically depressed county in East Tennessee.  The boutique, part of the Unicorn Foundation, sells the items to area residents at a minimal charge and uses the proceeds to fund educational scholarships for area students.

3.       Our club purchased infant items to help supply Joey's Pouch at the Williamson Medical Center for distribution to mothers who have limited resources when discharged from the hospital after giving birth.  In 2016 several of our members attended a tour of the new Children’s Emergency Department and Hospital Wing, which is a large improvement on care for children in Williamson County.

4.       We collected the aluminum tabs off cans and donated to the Ronald McDonald House. 

5.     We presented a donation to GraceWorks at our December Holiday Luncheon event, allowing the designated board member to highlight her organization to the attendees.  GraceWorks, a ministry organized in 1995 by area residents who saw needs in Williamson County that were not being filled, focuses on four areas:  family support, hunger prevention, seasonal needs and educational programs. 

                Several new members adopted GraceWorks for donation of their preferred volunteer service hours.  They assisted in various ways by sorting, pricing, and organizing clothes for sale in the thrift shop and organizing food in the food bank.

        6.    For our major project for Home Life we chose 2 camps for children to support.  One is Camp Horizon.  This is a one week camp for children with cancer.  They stay for the whole week and all their needs are met for medicine and any necessary treatments.  They get to play games, do art projects and activities any child would do at camp.  There is a second week for siblings of these children because sometimes they don’t get the attention they would normally receive.  The cost is $500 per child and we sponsored 2 children.   One of our members personally volunteers during the camp helping the children with their art activities. 

        7.   Members personally made monetary donations to GFWC’s Home Life Partner:  Canine Companions.   Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs.

       8.   Our club made a donation to the local Easter Seals chapter, providing funds for disabled children to attend a summer camp.  Easter Seals is another GFWC Home Life Partner.