GFWC of NC Statesville Woman's Club Welcomes Iredell County Partnership for Young Children Literacy Program Coordinator to April 2024 Meeting

The April meeting of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina (GFWC-NC) Statesville Woman’s Club was sponsored by the Education and Environment Community Service Team. The meeting guest speaker was Peyton Barrows, Literacy Program Coordinator for the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children. Seated from left are: Club President, Dana White; Guest Speaker, Peyton Barrows; and Education and Environment Community Service Team Chair, Linda Lavinder. Other Education and Environment Community Service Team members standing from left are: Pat Smith; Club Ways & Means Chair, Sandra Landry; Mickie Vacca; Deneen Wells; Janine Lewis; Desiree Crosswhite; Club Membership Team member Joanna Gaither; Maggie Wells and Club Membership Team member Yolanda Myers-Johnson.

To bring awareness to April being Prevent Child Abuse Month “Pinwheels for Prevention” were placed on display in the Club’s front lawn. Our pinwheel garden is in conjunction with the efforts of Pharos Parenting. Pinwheels represent the happy, carefree childhood we want for every child. Join us and let’s take a stand against child abuse! Pharos Parenting helps parents learn effective parenting skills, develop confidence in those skills and create stronger families.

The April meeting of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina (GFWC-NC) Statesville Woman’s Club was sponsored by the Education and Environment Community Service Team (CST). The meeting guest speaker was Peyton Barrows, Literacy Program Coordinator for the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children (ICPYC).

Peyton Barrows spoke of how the non-profit ICPYC helps children from birth to age five with quality of early childhood education, which includes such programs as Dolly Parton Imagination Library that has reached 5,715 children in Iredell County. A new venture for ICPYC is the Book Worm Vending Machine, as well as “Loads of Literature.” This initiative involves community book stands that are placed at thirteen sites across the county including laundry mats, the Department of Social Services, pediatrician’s offices and other locations families with young children frequent.

She also shared the motto ICPYC likes to use “no app to replace a lap,” emphasizing reading a book with children is more important than using apps on smart phones, IPads or tablets.

The Education and Environment CST is joining with the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children to get as many books as possible in the hands of parents and young children in our community. You can truly make a lasting difference in a child’s life by donating books for children birth to five years old. The club is collecting new or “like new – very, very gently used” board books, picture books and Imagination Library books now through April 30. Please bring and place books (sealed in plastic bags to protect from moisture) in the blue donation bin on the front porch of the clubhouse.

Another project of the Education and Environment CST is collecting used natural wine corks to help conserve forests and oceans. For every natural wine cork our club sends to the CorkClub initiative funded by WidgetCo, Inc. they will donate two cents to forest and ocean conservation. Please give your corks to any club member or contact the club.

To bring awareness to April being Prevent Child Abuse Month “Pinwheels for Prevention” were placed on display in the Club’s front lawn. Our pinwheel garden is in conjunction with the efforts of Pharos Parenting. Pinwheels represent the happy, carefree childhood we want for every child. Join us and let’s take a stand against child abuse! Pharos Parenting helps parents learn effective parenting skills, develop confidence in those skills and create stronger families.

The next club meeting will be Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a “College Shower” for the club’s Sallie Southall Cotten Scholarship winner, South Iredell High School senior, Natalie Nunez. Natalie is from Statesville and the daughter of Juan and Maria Nunez. All members, guests and interested women are invited to attend.

For information about renting the GFWC of NC Statesville Woman’s Club’s Clubhouse for your meeting or event, email the club at Statesvillewomansclub@gmail.com or call 704-761-8208. The club website is www.statesvillewomansclub.org. Also be sure to like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For details on joining the GFWC of NC Statesville Woman’s Club, please contact Membership Team member Joanna Gaither at 704-873-2684.