Hopatcong Women's Club: September Updates

September: A Fresh Start for HWC Community Service

September marks the beginning of a new year of community service for the Hopatcong Woman’s Club. The season kicked off with an opening luncheon held at Cinder’s Wood Fire Grill in Mine Hill Township. During the meeting, members reconnected after their summer break, listened to a scholarship award recipient share her experiences, and welcomed a new member into the Club. Plans for upcoming fundraisers and ongoing collections were discussed, and attendees enjoyed a delicious meal.

Spotlight on Scholarship Recipient: Madelyn Ausmus

This year’s GCI representative (Girls’ Club Institute) is Madelyn Ausmus. One of the highlights for Club members is hearing firsthand from scholarship and award recipients about the impact these opportunities have had on their lives. Maddie described how spending a weekend at Douglass Residential College (on the campus of Rutgers University), living in a dorm room with a roommate, and engaging with college representatives gave her new insights into college life. The experience helped her to think beyond just her first four years of college and consider her long-term future.

Maddie is a senior at Hopatcong High School, where she serves as Vice President of her class. She is active in several honor societies, including the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society (Jazz and Concert Band), and Thespian Honor Society. She also competes in cheerleading for varsity football. Maddie plans to pursue studies in premed, health sciences, or biology with the goal of becoming a surgeon, though she has not yet chosen a specialty.

In addition to her academic and extracurricular achievements, Maddie is engaged in community service. She teaches swim lessons to children, works as a lifeguard for the competitive swim team, and volunteers with Hopatcong EMS. Currently holding the title of Miss Hopatcong, she was also nominated for Queen of the Fair at the Sussex County Fair. The Club is confident that Maddie has a bright future ahead.

Welcome to New Member: Evelyn Proffitt

Evelyn Proffitt grew up in Puerto Rico and has resided in Hopatcong for all the 45 years she has been married. Her three children are graduates of Hopatcong High School, and she is now a proud grandmother. Evelyn worked as a stewardess with American Airlines for 35 years and has volunteered with the CCM Drama Department for 32 years. We welcome Evelyn and her spirit to our Club!

Our Ongoing Collections for local service organizations (all items can be dropped off at the Hopatcong Wellness Center in the Walgreen’s Shopping Center on Hopatchung Ave., or given to any club member)

DASI Safe House (Domestic Abuse and Sexual Intervention Services of Sussex County):

Given the function of a safe house, the following items are consistently required: twin sheets and pillowcases, bath towels, hand towels and washcloths, twin blankets, and twin comforters.

Family Promise (Serves homeless families in Sussex County)

We are currently accepting donations of small toiletry items, including shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, standard-sized toothbrushes, and new socks for men, women, and children.

Ronald McDonald House 

Aluminum pull tabs are recycled to support families staying at Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick during their children's cancer treatment. These tabs appear on soda, pet food, soup, vegetable, and fruit cans.

West Side Methodist Church Food Pantry

Non-perishable food (no glass) is collected at Hopatcong Borough Hall and Wellness Center. Over 1,300 lbs have been gathered this year. With colder weather and holidays ahead, further donations are welcome.

Fundraising Activities

Our “Fall into Money” 50/50 Raffle is happening now. Tickets are $10 each or 10 for $100, available from HWC Members and at the Hopatcong Marketplace on September 28th, 10am–3pm. The drawing is November 19th, 11am at Elba Point Beach Club—attendance not required. The winner could receive up to $2,500.

Discounted Children’s Books will also be sold at our Marketplace Booth that day, just in time for Holiday gift-giving and stocking-stuffers! All fundraising supports our scholarships for Hopatcong residents.

Club Meeting Information

The Hopatcong Woman’s Club holds meetings on the third Wednesday of each month, from September through May. Meetings take place at the Elba Point Beach Club building, located at 30 Ithanell Rd, Hopatcong, starting at 10:30am. There is no fee to attend and all are welcome. For updates, follow us on Facebook or visit our website at www.HopatcongWomans.Club.

Get Involved

To learn more about supporting our causes or joining the Hopatcong Woman’s Club, please contact Membership Chair Jean Matalewski at 973-214-3132 or email HopatcongWomansClub@gmail.com.