By Kristen Higdon
Many nonprofit organizations in the community are feeling the impact of extra funds generously donated to them from the St. Charles Women’s Club.
As apart of their annual distribution luncheon at the end of April, the Women’s Club donated funds to 20 nonprofit organizations throughout the community, as well as awarded scholarships to eligible students.
“It is always great when we are able to give back to the community by fulfilling our motto of making a difference,” Regina Allemand, publicity chair of the club, said.
The women’s club notifies its members of the funds available, and members are then able to recommend any organizations in the parish with a specific cause and need for money.
The $22,000 that the club donated was collected through their autumn auction in November and teacup auction in March.
Among the organizations that received a donation from the Women’s Club is the St. Charles Art Guild.
The Art Guild prides itself on being able to foster camaraderie among rising and professional artists of all ages while offering affordable educational experiences, exhibition opportunities and personal enrichment activities in the visual arts.
According to the Guild’s grant Treasurer Carolyn Clausing, the funds helped the guild provide art enrichment throughout the community.
“Through hands on art activities, we are able to bring opportunities of artistic expression to all of our citizens, including seniors and other adults in the community,” Clausing said.
Specifically, the guild was able to buy more art supplies, provide further instruction and encouragement to citizens, as well as hold an art fair and a senior citizen workshop. The Arc of St. Charles was also among the 20 organizations receiving aid from the women’s club.
The nonprofit’s goal is to enhance the supports and services needed to guide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
According to Executive Director Victoria Bryant, the funds will be used to support their Schmidt-Humphreys Greenhouse, where tomatoes are grown and sold to local restaurants and markets.
“The funds derived from our greenhouse supports the agency’s business program that offers work opportunities for those we support,” Bryant said.
The St. Charles Humane Society will use its donation to help with their medical expenses, particularly surgeries and medical care to pets in the shelter.
The humane society’s pet adoption program and SNIP, its Spay Neuter Intervention Program, will benefit from the Women’s Club charity.
“This program allows residents in the parish to apply for a low cost spay neuter program for their pets,” said President Jackie Boudreaux.
According to Allemand, the Women’s Club, which started in 1966, started when families moved to the area for their husband’s work. Women needed an outlet that was both socially and civically empowering.
“It gave women a place to socialize as well as do good for others,” she said.
The Women’s Club is now looking forward to the club’s fiftieth anniversary approaching in 2016. “We have a lot going on, and we are looking forward to it,” Allemand said.Other organizations that received donations from the women’s club include: Alpha Daughter of Zion; Assistance for Single Parents; Community Chorus, Creative Family Solutions; Destrehan High Schools Senior Citizen Program; German Coast Farmer’s Market; Junior Achievement, Pink Ladies; River Region Ballet Inc.; River Road Historical Society; St. Charles Borromeo Ministry of Care; St. Charles Museum & Historical Association; St. Charles Parish Humane Society; St. Charles Parish Sheriff Explorer’s Post; St. Charles Parish Schools Head Start; St. Charles Social Concerns; and St. Charles United Methodist Church.
Scholarship recipients were all students from Destrehan and Hahnville High School; These students include: Bradley Aucoin, Elise Brown, Tony Corley, Lisa Dempsey, Ashlyn Frahm, Madison Hensly, Megan Schexnaydre, Julian Turner, and Kristen Yent.
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