Celebrating 65 Years of Volunteerism!
The Hopatcong Woman’s Club celebrated 65 years of service on Wednesday, Sept 20, 2023, at Cinders Wood Fire Grill in Mine Hill. Members and guests were treated to a beautiful setting for a luncheon, and it was all decorated with yellow roses - the Club’s flower symbolizing friendship and joy.
On hand to help us celebrate were Mayor Mike Francis of Hopatcong and Barbara McCloskey, currently 2nd VP and President-elect for the State organization NJSFWC. Both were speakers who had high praise for us as a local group and as an organization at the State and National level.
Mayor Francis read a proclamation declaring September 23rd to be Hopatcong Woman’s Day, commemorating our long-term support of the community and our 65th anniversary.
President-elect McClosky, a Denville resident, spoke about a number of momentum occasions in the past where the Woman’s Clubs of the Nation had large impact on public policy and environmental issues. She is engaging and informative, we look forward to her years leading our state organization.
Marcy Thompson, our Club Historian, informed many of us about Club details, some of which we were unaware. Here are some highlights:
- In 1957, the Lakeland Woman’s Club and Lake Hopatcong Woman’s Club consolidated and founded the Hopatcong Woman’s Club. In 1958 the Club joined the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs, the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the State.
- At the same time the Club gained membership in the General Federation of Women's Clubs, the oldest national and international women’s volunteer organization.
- Our Club’s motto is Let Us Unite in Service, while Volunteers in Action is the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs motto.
- A ‘Yellow’ Rose is our Club’s symbol.
In years past:
- Park benches were placed around the Borough – A gift from HWC.
- A bulletproof vest was purchased for a member’s son – a new Hopatcong Police Officer
- A Statue of Liberty restoration fund received a monetary donation from HWC
- 1998 Hopatcong Borough celebrated 100 years and was gifted a tall Outdoor Clock, which resides in front of Borough Hall
- The Maxim Glen flagpole stands today, another gift from HWC, along with a Flower Garden in the park, planted and maintained annually by HWC
- Fundraising proceeds were used to purchase a computer for each Hopatcong Borough 3rd grade class
- Food collections are ongoing at Borough Hall and benefit the community by way of the West Methodist Church Food Pantry. Approximately 8,000 lbs. of food have been collected in recent years
This year marks 25 years that HWC has supported Sussex County’s DASI (Domestic and Sexual Abuse Intervention) organization. We annually collect linens, single-sized sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters or bedspreads and bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, pillows, and toiletries for DASI SafeHouse residents.
Additionally, we have ongoing programs that assist the Veterans, schoolchildren, those with medical conditions or mental health issues, and many other worthy causes.
The Hopatcong Woman’s Club meets on the third Wednesday of each month (from September to May) at the Elba Point Beach Club building located at 30 Ithanell Rd, Hopatcong, at 10:30am. There is no fee for attending a meeting and all are welcome. Follow us on Facebook!
To learn more about contributing to any of our causes or joining us as a club member, please contact Pat at pebeach@gmail.com .
To learn more about the NJSFWC (New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs), visit the Federation website at NJSFWC.org and to learn more about the GFWC (General Federation of Women's Clubs), visit GFWC.org.
