GFWC East Peoria Woman’s Club
History of Club
The East Peoria Woman's Club was organized in 1934. By laws and a constitution were drawn up. Dues were established at $2. Since its inception the club has been very active. In 1935, the club organized the first library in East Peoria by borrowing 200 books from the State Library Service in Springfield. Club members drove to Springfield to pick up the books and transport them to East Peoria. The club began to hold fund raisers to support the library. The club continues to support the library today.
The East Peoria Woman's club has also been very involved in public health. An immunization project was organized in 1936 for diphtheria, smallpox immunizations in 1939, a dental project in 1942, and polio immunization project in 1959. Support was also given with many volunteer hours to the Red Cross Bloodmobile and the Heart Fund.
Club Officers:
President Kay Druin
1st Vice President–Ruth Smith
2ed Vice President–Donna Heath
Recording Secretary–Rose Ebele
Corresponding Secretary–Linda Hannon
Treasurer–Doris Doughty
Parliamentarian–Eleanor Flinn
For membership information or just to join us for a meeting, please contact:
Kay Druin
110 Avondale dr
East Peoria, IL 61611
Our Club meets the Second Thursday of each month
March through December
12:30 P.M.
First United Methodist Church
154 East Washington Street
East Peoria, IL
Annual Club Projects:
The club sponsors an art contest each year for students at the junior high school and high school. Student's art work is displayed at the library. This has been very popular in the community.
Toiletries are collected monthly for shelters. Items such as clothing, toiletries, food, etc. are collected for the Mom's who care program at the local high school. Blankets are made for the fire department. Last year 13 blankets were donated. Box tops and empty ink cartridges are collected for each of the local grade schools.
East Peoria Woman's club collects shoes each year for the Water Step international charity.
As part of our support for the library, we sponsor a program to encourage reading by funding the purchase of children's books. School supplies are also provided for the libraries local drive each August to make sure children has the supplies they need to start school.
Other civic projects include ushering for the local East Light Theater productions, money and items donated to the local food bank and snack pack program for children, volunteering for activities at the East Peoria Historical Society, and collecting item for the local pet shelter.
The club awards up to five $1,000 scholarships each year. This is for both high school students or adults in the community who have shown excellence in community service by volunteering their time and effort. This is make possible by a bequest from long time member Peg Bahnfleth who left a bequest to the club.
