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Dedicated to Community Service Since 1976

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A member of Connecticut Junior Women, Inc.

Monroe Women's Club, Inc.




History of
the Monroe Women's Club


Dec 1, 1976 - Club Organized

Club is organized by six local women interested in the development of the town. Official Name is: Junior Women's Club of Monroe. Joined the other 73 clubs in the state as a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in May, 1977. Meetings held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Elm Street.

July 1977: Club holds three day swimathon raising $8,000 in pledges and gifts which was three times what they had anticipated when they took on the job of raising enough funds so the town's new pool could open.

Club Year 1977-1978

Major Projects
S.P.L.A.S.H.
Babysitting Seminar
Submarine Sandwich Day
Sun Day Cleanup
Picture Lady

Club President
Bonnie Zipeto

Picture Lady begins at Monroe Elementary School bringing art masterpieces each month to thrid grade students to familiarize them with the painting, its artist, and period in which it was painted. Membership in the club grows from 21 to 53 members.

Club Year 1978-1979

Major Projects
Chalk Hill Nature Trail
Bike Rodeo
Help Lick Cancer
Clean-Up Monroe Day
Trim a Tree for Birds
Run for Annie

Club President
Bonnie Zipeto

Club begins tradition of selling 'Luminarias' for the Holidays. Cost for 1 dozen candles with bags was $1.25. Club donates nearly $9,000 to various organizations.

Club Year 1979-1980

Major Projects
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Run for Annie

Club President
Maybette Condon

73 Junior Clubs in Connecticut withdraw from General Federation of Women's Clubs and become known as Connecticut Junior Women to gain more voting power and change the age limitations.

Club Year 1980-1981

Major Projects
Run for Annie

Club President
Maria Fitzgerald

Oct 1980: Club holds 3rd Annual 10K Road Race "Run for Annie" to raise funds for Monroe EMS. During the years it was held, the club purchased life-saving equipment and CPR "Annie" mannequins.

Club Year 1981-1982

Major Projects
Run for Annie
Walking Tour of Historic Monroe

Club President
Dee Dee Palmer Martin

June 82: Club offers walking tour of Historic Monroe Green during Strawberry Festival. Tickets for the 45 minute tour sold for $1 for adults and 50 cents for children benefitting the Monroe Historical Society.

Club Year 1982-1983

Major Projects
 

Club President
Dee Dee Palmer Martin

Club Year 1983-1984

Major Projects
Tour of Homes
Read-a-thon

Club President
Becky Kosisko

Club votes on first Honorary Member: Joy Beckwith. May 1984: Club holds first Tour of Homes to raise funds for Monroe Public Library.

Club Year 1984-1985

Major Projects
Run for Annie

Club President
Kathy Lillis (1984)
Becky Kosisko (84-85)

Club adds Honorary Member: Marie Lederer, Town Social Services Director.

Club Year 1985-1986

Major Projects
Country Treasures Craft Show
Tour of Homes

Club President
Barbara Yarsin Paris

Club hold 1st annual Country Treasures Craft Show. Oct 1985: Club holds Monroe Tour of Homes to benefit Monroe Public Schools. Club publishes "Who Needs It?" - a directory to recylcing in the Monroe area.

Club Year 1986-1987

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Guide to the Sights of Monroe

Club President
Carole Lever

Club celebrates 10th Anniversary with a hot air balloon event "Up With Juniors" offering tethered balloon rides. First Monroe Juniorette Club is formed for girls grade 6-12.

Club Year 1987-1988

Major Projects
Country Treasures
House Tour
Bus Safety Day

Club President
Carole Lever

Club adds Honorary Member: Brenda Weir. May 1988: Club sponsors Tour of Homes to benefit Bridgeport Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Club Year 1988-1989

Major Projects
Gingerbread House Workshop
Country Treasures
Colonial Days
Bike Rodeo

Club President
Carol Herdic

State Project 88-90: Special Wishes. "We're Too Busy to Cook" Book benefits proposed "Sensation Trail" project. Fall 1988: Club publishes "A Guide to Chalk Hill Nature Trail". Club (53 members) receives "Most Outstanding" Large Club award at State Conference.

Club Year 1989-1990

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Children's Pet Show

Club President
Carol Herdic

Club adds Honorary Member: Kay Inderdohnen, Town Clerk. Club holds 1st annual Children's Pet Show to benefit Beardsley Zoo

Club Year 1990-1991

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Children's Pet Show

Club President
Karen Smith

Club Year 1991-1992

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Children's Pet Show
Tour of Homes

Club President
Karen Smith

May 1992: Club sponsors Tour of Homes to benefit "Kids Kreation" creative playground at Wolfe Park.

Club Year 1992-1993

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Children's Pet Show
D.A.R.E Walkathon

Club President
Deb Orwig

Club adds Honorary Member: Joan Wheeler - Town Library, Children's Librarian. Club holds first annual 5K Walkathon for D.A.R.E

Club Year 1993-1994

Major Projects
Vidbel's Circus
Country Treasures
D.A.R.E. Walk-a-thon
Tour of Homes
Toy Tag Sale
Spring Fashion Show

Club President
Deb Orwig

May 1994: Club sponsors Tour of Homes to benefit Monroe Teen Center.

Club Year 1994-1995

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Vidbel's Circus
D.A.R.E Walkathon
Earth Day Coloring Book
Toy Tag Sale

Club President
Debby Heitzke

Club Year 1995-1996

Major Projects
Children's Pet Show
Vidbel's Circus
Country Treasures
D.A.R.E Walkathon

Club President
Debby Heitzke

Club adds Honorary Member: Lynn Rosato - Town Librarian.

Club Year 1996-1997

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Half Ton Sundae

Club President
Merrie Moorhead (1996)
Debby Heitzke (96-97)

Dec 1996: Club sponsors first annual "Half Ton Sundae" by building a 75 gallon ice cream sundae in a kiddie swimming pool to benefit Special Wishes.

Club Year 1997-1998

Major Projects
Vidbel's Circus
Country Treasures
Half Ton Sundae
House Tour

Club President
Eve Sarra

Vibdel's Circus is held in June 1997 to benefit State Project: Special Wishes. Club adds Honorary Member: Deb Orwig. Past President of the Junior Women's Club for continuing to help with a variety of projects including: puppets for Roaring Brook Nature Center. May 1998: Club sponsors Spring House Tour benefitting: Monroe Historical Society & Middle School Libraries.

Club Year 1998-1999

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Half Ton Sundae

Club President
Eve Sarra

Club Year 1999-2000

Major Projects
Vidbel's Circus
Country Treasures
Half Ton Sundae
Spelling Bee
Take a Stand

Club President
Linda Johnston &
Julie Risko

Club introduces new project: Take a Stand where Monroe children sell Lemonade and cookies donating half their profits to charity.

Club Year 2000-2001

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Half Ton Sundae
Spelling Bee
Relay for Life
Take a Stand

Club President
Linda Johnston &
Julie Risko

Theme: "Making a Difference is What Really Matters".

Club Year 2001-2002

Major Projects
Vidbel's Circus
Country Treasures
Half Ton Sundae
Spelling Bee
Relay for Life
Take a Stand

Club President
Mary Wendt


Theme: "Inspire Others By Doing". Club adds Honorary Member: Karen Burnaska, Former Selectman, Town of Monroe. Karen has helped the Club with a variety of projects including: Half Ton Sundae, Vidbel's Circus. Club celebrates 25 years of community service with a dinner dance at the Stonebarn Restaurant.

Club Year 2002-2003

Major Projects
Vidbel's Circus
Take a Stand
Past President's Brunch
Country Treasures
Half Ton Sundae
Santa's Village
Spelling Bee
Relay for Life

Club President
Mary Wendt


Theme: "Making Community Service a Priority in our Lives".
Club brought back Historic Walking Tours and held 2 tours during Strawberry Festival. Time for Life is chosen as CJW long term affiliation. Past President's brunch celebrates the dynamic women who have helped our club grow over the years.

Club Year 2003-2004

Major Projects
Adopt Soldier
Take a Stand
Country Treasures
Stuff A Truck/Make a Difference Day
Spelling Bee
Relay for Life

Club President
Gretchen Saccone


Theme: "Service Above Self".

Club Year 2004-2005

Major Projects
Smile Train Comedy night
Reuse a Shoe
Country Treasures
Stuff A Truck
Sound Tiger Hockey Game
Festival of Wreaths
Project R.E.D.
Spelling Bee
Relay for Life

Club President
Gretchen Saccone


Theme: "Together, Caring & Sharing in our Community".
Club adds Honorary Member: Ms. Veronika Gaia

Club Year 2005-2006

Major Projects
Country Treasures
District Projects - Paintfest & Shining Star Scarves
C.H.A.D. (Children Have An iDentity) Car Seat Sticker Campaign

Club President
Annemarie Hughes &
Cindy Nikbin


Theme: "Working Together, We Can Make A Difference"
Club adds Honorary Members: Lori Capri, Director, Social Services
and Sharon Gesek, Director, Monroe Senior Center

Many first-time collections are introduced: books for Mercy Learning Center, clothing/bedding for Veterans at “Homes For The Brave”, cell phones for Seniors, Halloween costumes for area shelters, eyeglasses for 3rd world countries and sundries for Soldiers through “A Project From The Heart”.

Club Year 2006-2007

Major Projects
Country Treasures
District Projects - Paintfest & Shining Star Scarves
1st Annual Kite Flying Day
C.H.A.D. (Children Have An iDentity) Car Seat Sticker Campaign

Club President
Annemarie Hughes &
Cindy Nikbin


Theme: "Working Together, We Can Make A Difference"
Club adds Honorary Member: Valerie Foito

Club celebrates its 30th Anniversary and donates a bench to the new Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in recognition. Club also disburses Sensation Trail funds in two grants - one to the Monroe Historical Society for the David Merrill Mural to be moved from Masuk High School to the Library and the other to help fund the Webb Mountain Discovery Zone Outdoor Classroom project.

Club Year 2007-2008

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Relay for Life
Web Mt Discovery Zone (clean up & sign)
Mural Dedictation at EWML
2nd kite flying day
Stuff a Truck - food collection
Back to School Buddies
Luminaries
Mohegan Sun Casino trip

Club President
Sheila Craw & Ann Santos


Theme: "Striving to Enrich the Lives of Others"

Special projects include: Big Y Food Collection. Club collected 5 vans full of food for the Monroe Food Pantry.

Club Year 2008-2009

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Stuff a Truck - food collection
Back to School Buddies
Luminaries
Mohegan Sun Casino trip

Club President
Sheila Craw & Ann Santos


Theme: "Striving to Enrich the Lives of Others"

Club Year 2009-2010

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Adopt a Neighbor
Easter Baskets
Tray Favors for Seniors
Luminaries

Club President
Myrna Mills-Albino &
Cindy Nikbin


Theme: "A Sisterhood of Friends"
Club Year 2010-2011

Major Projects
Country Treasures
Adopt a Neighbor
Easter Baskets
Tray Favors for Seniors
Marjorie K. Bradley Award
Luminaries

Club President
Myrna Mills-Albino


Theme: "A Sisterhood of Friends"
Club Year 2011-2012

Major Projects
Bus Driver Appreciation
Halloween Costume Drive
Holiday Stuff a Bus

Club President
Annemarie Hughes


Theme: "Working Together, We Can Make a Difference"

Club Year 2012-2013

Major Projects
Bus Driver Appreciation
Halloween Costume Drive
Holiday Stuff a Bus

Club President
Annemarie Hughes


Theme: "Working Together, We Can Make a Difference"

Club Year 2013-2014

Major Projects
Bus Driver Appreciation
Halloween Costume Drive
Holiday Stuff a Bus

Club President
Annemarie Hughes


Theme: "Working Together, We Can Make a Difference"


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