Elmhurst Junior Women's Club
PO Box 191
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Welcome to the Elmhurst Junior Women's Club (EJWC). This sheet is to help answer some of your questions about EJWC. However, if you have any further questions or comments, require more information or are interested in joining our dynamic group of women, please feel free to e-mail us at
info@elmhurstjuniors.org.
WHAT WE DO AND WHO WE ARE
EJWC is primarily philanthropic in nature, but it as a social aspect as well. The main goal of the Club is to assist other charities through fundraising efforts in addition to hands-on work. We hot two major fundraiser open to the public:
Elmhurst Kitchen Expedition (last Sunday in April) and
Tickled Pink (in October). These two events provide a core of funds allowing us to financially assist other organizations in need of our help. TLC Camp (for children with cancer) Senior Chore Day, Gift Wrapping for Humanitarian Service Project and food drives are examples of our more hands-on projects.
Along with our charitable efforts, we encourage a social side to our Club. Activities are planned for families (ornament making, Halloween Trick-or-Treating at a senior center, playgroups), couples (Scavenger Hunt, Wine Tasting, Dinner with Spouses) and membership only (book club, bunco, movie night). The events mentioned are only samples...there is so much more the EJWC! Everyone is welcome to participate, but you don't have to join every activity all the time. The more the merrier, but we all understand that not every activity appeals to every member.
Club members are a dynamic bunch: we are stay-at-home moms, women with or without children who work full time outside the home, creative types, business types, etcetera. We would love to have you contribute your experiences to our group.
HOW WE HELP ONE ANOTHER
In addition to our community service goals, we are in this Club to help each other and make new friends. Members traditionally make meals upon the arrival of a new baby and are happy to help one another when otherwise needed. We are always there to lend a hand or an ear to listen. Club members are also a great resource for new information, ideas, professional referrals and networking opportunities. Think of us as another support group in your life!
MEETINGS
EJWC meets from September to May. The Club meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of the month from September through April at the Community Bank of Elmhurst (on Butterfield Road at Spring Road in the second floor meeting room). Between 7:00 and 7:30, we gather to socialize with members and sign-up for our current projects. Our October meeting is geared towards new members with a further explanation of the club. Our May meeting is our year-end banquet where we celebrate at a local restaurant.
DUES
$35 annual dues which may be paid by cash or a check made payable to the "Elmhurst Junior Women's Club".
EJWC was founded in September, 1997. Our first president had been an active member in the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club. Missing her Club involvement when she moved to Elmhurst, she organized the first meeting and with 13 other women created the Club. Since that time, the Club has grown to approximately 70 members.
Our largest fundraiser of the year, the Elmhurst Kitchen Expedition began in 2000. This event allows the public to view several Elmhurst homes with spectacular kitchens. It's a house walk with a culinary twist! In our first year, proceeds were just under $10,000. Throughout the course of this event, we have raised over $65,000! Proceeds have been donated to various charitable organizations, including Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry, A Special Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
2004 saw our inaugural Tickled Pink event. Tickled Pink is an exclusive vendor fair allowing the public to come together in one location and get a jump on their holiday shopping. Purses, jewelry, home decor and clothing are just a small sampling of the items you can expect to find at this market. The event is designed to increase awareness of breast cancer. Vendors donate items for raffles and/or a portion of their sales to a worthy charity directly associated with the prevention of or the search for a cure of breast cancer. Past recipients have included the DuPage County Health Department's "Why Wait?" Program and the Wellness House in Hinsdale.
EJWC continues to offer college scholarships to worthy high school women. In 2003 EJWC renamed the scholarship fund The Brenda Grabacki Memorial Scholarship, in memory of a member who lost her courageous battle against cancer that year. Candidates must be young women who are seniors in high school, residents of Elmhurst and they must exhibit an exceptional commitment to volunteerism, leadership and academics.
Throughout the years, we continue to add many other "smaller" events that also raise funds for our Club. Romantic Dinner raffles, purse and sports tickets auctions and a babysitting class are just a few examples of activities that we have planned for members, guests or the public that raise money for worthwhile causes.
As our membership continues to grow, our goal is to evolve to meet the needs of both the women in the Club and the community in which we live.
INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
EJWC is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) with its headquarters in Washington D.C. The GFWC is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. One of the world's largest and oldest women's volunteer service organizations working locally through thousands of clubs in the United States and globally in more than 20 countries, GFWC members support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, stress civic involvement and work toward world peace and understanding. While individual clubs shape their local agendas to suit particular community needs, this parent organization provides program ideas, grants and support for its member clubs.
STATE AFFILIATIONS
GFWC of Illinois encompasses Women's Clubs and Junior Women's Clubs throughout the state. EJWC is part of the 5th District Juniors, which includes clubs from the following communities: Downers Grove, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Itasca, Lemont, Lombard, Naperville, Wheaton, Winfield and Woodridge. The District organization provides support to member clubs, and clubs support each other's fund-raisers and share project ideas.
LOCAL AFFILIATIONS
In the past, there were two additional women's clubs in Elmhurst: Elmhurst Women's Club and Elmhurst Evening Women's Club, which were also members of GFWC and which had been helping improve Elmhurst since the early 1900's. However, recently, the Elmhurst Women's Club disbanded and members were invited to join the Elmhurst Evening Women's Club. At that time, EJWC held a tea for the ladies of the Elmhurst Women's Club in honor of their years of service and commitment to the Elmhurst community.
Thank you for visiting the Elmhurst Junior Women's Club website!
EJWC is a community organization made up of active women who not only make a difference in their community, they enrich they lives of so many. I am so proud to be a part of EJWC as we continue to make such an impact each year with our fundraising efforts and many service projects.
EJWC is primarily philanthropic in nature, but has an amazing social aspect as well. As a third generation Elmhurst resident, it's easy to know people in town. The Club, however, has introduced me to so many more wonderful new friends and families, for which I am truly grateful. EJWC is volunteer based and I am thrilled to be among such positive women that go above and beyond their busy lives for their community and provide assistance to many.
Our biggest fundraising efforts include Tickled Pink, which has raised over $13,000 for area breast cancer organizations, and theElmhurst Kitchen Expedition, donating over $65,000 to various area organizations such as the Elmhurst Walk-In MInistry and Day Break of Elmhurst. EJWC gives back to the community with many projects thoughout the year where our members have service oriented opportunities in which to dedicate their time and efforts.
Again, thank you for visiting this web site. Please feel free to contact me if you have any quesitons or would be interested in becoming involved with the club and our philanthropic efforts.
Sincerely,
Juliet Mills-Holubowicz
President
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Each member serves on one of six standing committees (or serves as an executive board officer). Each committee generally meets once a month during September through May, and otherwise as needed. Committee members decide as a group when they will meet. The following provides a brief description of each committee, including information about past projects:
CONSERVATION & HOMELIFE (C&H)
This committee's service projects concentrate on youth, the elderly, the home, health and family life. C&H raises awareness in the areas of community beautification, conservation, family economics, family living and care for the elderly. Projects have included Lexington Senior Center Halloween Walk, PADS volunteer work, Juniors "Survive the Holidays" tips and "Six O'Clock Scramble" recipe ideas.
COMMUNITY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS (CPA)
Service projects and community awareness regarding social issues, legislation, and community issues are this committee's responsibility. CPA organizes events and service projects relating to local community events, legislation, governmental matters and various social issues. Past projects have included the Adopt-A-Family-In-Need Program (providing holiday gifts), purchase of school supplies for District 205 students, food drives and Senior Chore Day.
PRESS, PUBLICITY & PROGRAMS (PPP)
This committee is responsible for informing the public of Club accomplishments and upcoming events, as well as compiling a scrapbook of the Club's year and securing photos of Club events. PPP also publishes the monthly newsletter, maintains the EJWC web site and presents speakers and programs at several monthly meetings. Past programs have included an "Antiques Roadshow" type event, a nutritionist, a yoga demonstration and beaded bracelet making.
WAYS & MEANS (W&M)
Ways and Means raises money to support the Club's philanthropic endeavors. With support of the entire Club, this committee plans and organizes several moneymaking ventures. Past projects have included Pickled Pink, Romantic Dinner Raffle and Guest Bartending. Tickled Pink, the purpose of which is to increase awareness of breast cancer paid out over $12,000 in donations in just two years. Many of the past years, W&M has held "The ABC's of Babysitting", which serves the dual purposes of educating future babysitters of Elmhurst, as well as raising money for various worth causes! For some events, W&M works in conjunction with Junior Events to combine fun and fundraising. The Wine Tasting/Purse & Sports Tickets Silent Auction is just such an example of their combined efforts!
ARTS & EDUCATION (A&E)
This committee develops relationships with local schools, students, teachers, museums and libraries to promote and foster education, culture and the arts in our community. A&E selects the annual recipients of the Brenda Grabacki Memorial Scholarship and in the past has supported the Elmhurst Public Library summer reading program as well as TV Turn Off. Talented singer and actress Jenny Riddle presented to Club members and their guests a one woman show in honor of Women's History Month; A&E organized this event, as well.
MEMBERSHIP
This committee maintains and grows EJWC membership, as well as keeps records of past, current and potential members. Membership plans the annual "Get to Know Juniors" party in the fall and also compiles and distributes the Club directory.
JUNIOR EVENTS
The purpose of this committee is to plan social events, freeing up other committees to focus on charitable work. It plans the hugely popular Dinner with Spouses, the Scavenger Hunt, spa night and other great activities. Events also organizes our book club, bunco and movie nights. At times, Events and Ways & Means partner to produce events such as Drinks Around the World and a Silent Auction making for a great night of fun & fundraising!
ELMHURST KITCHEN EXPEDITION
This committee works all year on the Club's largest fundraiser, the Elmhurst Kitchen Expedition. This event provides the opportunity to tour several homes with particularly stunning kitchens, a house walk with a culinary twist! The core committee secures homes, enlists the services of florists & decorators, obtains business sponsorships, and creates publicity pieces. The entire Club membership joins to sell tickets and staff the homes on the day of the walk. It's a wonderful event for the community that has raised over $65,000 since its inception in 2000!
