Press Archive
News from 2023-2024
Staying Alive: Skills We All Need
SAWC GFWC-NH receives valuable training
February 19, 2024
February is American Heart Month, encouraging people, especially women, to focus on cardiovascular health. To underscore the significance of heart health, the Salem Area Women's Club expresses its gratitude for the hands-only CPR and AED training its members received after the February meeting. The instruction was conducted by Mike Gordon and Doug Devine of the Salem Fire Department, who meticulously demonstrated step-by-step procedures for CPR and using the AED. Members also developed a clear understanding of what to expect when dialing 9-1-1. These essential skills are immensely valuable, and the club members were eager to learn them, even though they hope they never have to use them.
Caregivers Cookie Hugs
December 2023
The Salem Area Women's Club GFWC-NH (SAWC) wanted to thank caregivers for their selflessness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to caring for others. Their work touches countless lives and significantly impacts the world. We recognize the challenges and sacrifices that come with being a caregiver and appreciation for your service, The SAWC showed their gratitude by giving each caretaker a “Cookie Hug”.
Over 20 SAWC members helped bake, bag, and deliver the Cookie Hugs to the caregivers in our communities. It was heartwarming to witness members taking turns working on the "assembly line" to put the final touches on the gift bags stuffed with cookies, candies, and other treats. Helping hands work together to accomplish great things!
With the table overflowing with completed gift bags, it was impossible to count them all, but knowing where they were delivered to, it's clear that we touched at least 200 caregivers in the following communities:
•Pelham Good Neighbor Fund
•Salem Caregivers
•Salemhaven
•Silverthorne
•Meals on Wheels/Rockingham Nutrition’
•Warde Senior Living
We thank Jaimie Baker, Deb Slein, Donna Mason, Maria Baribeau, and Maureen Hanlon, who helped put this together during the craziest time of the year. Gift bags were also put together and delivered to SAWC members who needed a little cheering up as well.
SAWC Participates in Salem Parade
November 2023
On Sunday Nov 26, The Salem Area Women’s club-GFWC-NH attended the Salem NH Holiday Parade where a refreshment table was set up with hundreds of Free Snacks and drinks, compliments of the Salem Area Women’s Club. Laura Andolino and President Patti Drelick welcomed many parade participants as they exited shuttle buses or took a stroll on this sunny, chilly day waiting for the parade to kick off. Shelia Casey buzzed around in her Bee costume passing out refreshments to those in different staging areas. A special thanks to John and Nathan Andolino who helped transport and set up the tent for this fun event!
The Salem Area Women's Club Plants a Stunning Garden for All To Enjoy
October 2023
Fall is an excellent season for planting, and the Environment Committee of the Salem Area Women's Club took advantage of a beautiful September day to create a new garden along the Salem Bike-Ped Corridor. The garden is located by the Salem/Methuen border and welcomes visitors with various bushes, flowers, and grasses. The club plans to add annuals in the spring and continue maintaining the garden.
SAWC is delighted to collaborate with the Friends of the Salem Bike-Ped Corridor in their efforts to enhance and beautify the corridor, which stretches from the Massachusetts border to the Windham Rail Trail. This particular section is a significant step towards the broader goal of the Granite State Rail Trail Association, which seeks to connect the rail trail from Salem to Lebanon, NH, creating a continuous trail that spans 100 miles.
SAWC participates in GFWC's National Day of Giving
September 2023
The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) is committed to volunteer community service. The National Day of Service (NDS) is an occasion when all of GFWC comes together in service to draw attention to an area of need, take action to address it, and raise public awareness about its significance. This year, the organization aims to help put an end to food insecurity.
In line with this goal, the Salem Area Women's Club has donated food amounting to $162.78 to Bread of Life Food Pantry and $140.38 to End 68 Hours of Hunger. We express our sincere gratitude to the Civic Engagement and Outreach Committee for taking the lead in organizing the event, and we extend a massive thank you to all our club members who generously contributed to the donation of food.
SAWC GFWC-NH Enoys the Salem Scramble
September 2023
The 7th Annual Salem Scramble took place on Saturday, September 30th at Salem High School. The event was attended by 500+ Salem students in grades 1-8 and their families, who came together for a community celebration and obstacle course race. While the students waited for their races, local businesses and organizations added to the fun by sponsoring games, serving treats, and providing information about their organizations. The Civic Engagement and Outreach committee of SAWC invited the racers to play a game of ring toss or get a tattoo, while the club provided delicious treats and information about SAWC for the adults.
The CEO committee would like to thank all the club members who came out to support the event: Joanne Cuomo, Trish Earle, Patti Drelick, Marilyn Suszek, Maureen Hanlon, Susan Mothon, Jaimie Baker and Deb Slein.
WOMEN'S CLUB LAUNCHES 98th YEAR OF SERVICE
Join us for the first meeting of the new year
September 2023
(Salem, NH) On Tuesday, September 5, the Salem Area Women's Club GFWC (SAWC) will kick off its new year with a Welcome Back Party and Meeting at 11:30 am at the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge, 39 Shadow Lake Rd, Salem. We look forward to seeing many familiar faces as well as welcoming new ones, too. Coming off the heels of last year's Award-Winning agenda, we're excited to launch another fantastic year ahead! To RSVP, please visit our website, SalemAreaWomensClub.org, or email SalemAreaWomensClub@gmail.com.
Do you like to give back to your community? Would you like to be part of a fantastic sisterhood? Do you want to have fun? Then we are the organization you've searched for! Since 1926, the Salem Area Women's Club GFWC has worked locally to be a power of good in our community through philanthropy and outreach programs. Last year, the Club donated over $40,300 to 49 organizations and needy causes. SAWC focuses on five broad areas of interest: Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement & Outreach, Education & Libraries, Environment, and Health & Wellness. In the first six months of this year, the membership recorded over 2,700 hours serving the Club and local communities.
Come check us out! We are 100 Members strong and have something for everyone. We hope to see you on Tuesday, September 5, from 11:30 am-1:30 pm at the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge for our first meeting of the year. Members and guests are encouraged to bring their lunch during the social hour from 11:30 am-12:30 pm, with the business meeting to follow. Light refreshments will be served. Visit SalemAreaWomensClub.org for membership information, learn more about our committees, and explore all the other fun activities.
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Press Releases Sent to Local Media
2022-2023
Author to share NH adventure tale with children
December 2023
Children’s author Dr. Seuss once said, “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!” During school vacation week, you can go on an exciting journey without leaving the local area!
Join Kelley Library on Thursday, Dec. 28, noon-1pm for a first-in-aseries event featuring Salem author Jeffrey Zygmont. He will read “Under and Over the Snow,” one of his beautifully written and colorfully illustrated children’s books of adventures in New Hampshire. He will also chat about reading, writing, exploring nature and more.
A Community Service Program of the Education & Libraries Committee of the Salem Area Women’s Club, this free event is designed for children, pre-K through second grade. Refreshments will be served, and a book will be given to the first 10 pre-registered families (sign up at AuthorEventSAWC@gmail.com) who arrive that day.
Zygmont’s books will also be available for purchase, and he will happily sign with a personalized autograph.
Women's Club Delivers Appreciation Baskets to Poll Workers
March 2023
Salem Area Women's Club members donated over 400 snacks to create Poll Volunteer Appreciation Baskets at the Club's March meeting. Patti Drelick, SAWC President, and Norma Lapointe, Recording Secretary, delivered the baskets on Election Day to eight polling locations in Atkinson, Hampstead, Pelham, and Salem as a Nor'Easter raged. SAWC is grateful to these election-day volunteers who ensure voters receive the assistance they need and help provide a positive and smooth voting experience. The poll workers met the baskets with warm smiles and deep gratitude. Without the hard work and dedication of over 180 volunteer poll workers, our local elections would be impossible.
Salem Women's Club Provides Comfort to Sexually Assaulted Victims
Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted; on average, 463,634 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. The Salem Area Women's Club's Health and Wellness Committee created Comfort Bags to help restore dignity to victims after a medical examination in Emergency Rooms.
Medical care is a priority after an assault to screen and treat for injuries and disease. In addition, all victims are offered evidence gathering to identify and prosecute perpetrators, including clothing
collection. To avoid leaving the Emergency Department in scrubs, there is a desire for cozy clothing for the victims.
To meet this need, the Health and Wellness committee created 30 Comfort Bags containing personal care items, new undergarments, socks, pants, and shirts in various sizes. The Salem Area Women Club members donated all the items, and members even sewed bags. Recently, Parkland Hospital's Sexual Assault Unit Clinical Coordinator, Pam, received bags from Linda Molchon and Connie O'Connell of the Health and Wellness committee.
February 2023
February 2023
Women’s Club Delivers a Rhea of Sunshine
The Salem Area Women’s Club’s (SAWC) Community Engagement and Outreach committee proudly donated a crash crate ($370) to the Salem Police Department to ensure their comfort dog, Rhea, travels safely during car rides while on duty. Although only seven months old, this beautiful Labrador Retriever is already calm, friendly, and good-natured. Named after the Titan Greek god of comfort and ease, Rhea will continue her training under Officer Brian Lawrence’s direction with the help of Hero Pups in Stratham, NH. In a few more months, she’ll be a valuable resource for trauma victims by providing a therapeutic role as part of SPD’s emergency response services. In addition, Rhea will give unconditional love and support to people on some of their most challenging days. Is there anything more comforting than the reassuring touch of a dog or the sight of a wagging tail?
TV Coverage
SCTV 17 (sctv-17.com) - watch CE&O January Presentations
A big thank you to Susan McLoughlin for filming our event!
February 2023
Women's club warms hearts by donating $10K+
The Community Engagement and Outreach committee of the Salem Area Women’s Club donated over $10,000 to five highly deserving organizations.
Reaching across the entire southern NH region, Family Promise ($5,000) and Brigid’s House of Hope ($2,500) help vulnerable individuals and families rebuild their lives in secure and caring environments.
As food prices continue to climb, the following organizations are imperative to keeping food on tables. End 68 Hours of Hunger of Salem ($1,000) fills the nutritional needs of school-aged children over the weekend, while St. Anne’s Food Pantry ($150) helps reduce food insecurity in Hampstead.
Recognizing the sacrifices made by our veterans and those who serve our communities is vital. Therefore, $1,000 was donated to The Homeland Heroes Foundation, Atkinson, which offers an array of supportive services to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
October 20, 2022
