Club Founders Jane Westerman and Pat Taylor |
2021-2022 President
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Our Club History
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The Women's Club of Pittsford owes its beginning to a dynamic group of women who belonged to the Pittsford "Welcome Wagon" group who then decided to create a new Club, a Service-oriented Club. Founded in February 1984 by Pittsford residents, Patricia Taylor and Jane Westerman, WCOP became a nonprofit, voluntary organization that was formed in friendship and is dedicated to charitable, civic and educational purposes. Federated in May, 1984 with the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), we stand as proud members of the largest nondenominational, nonpartisan, international service organization of volunteer women in the world!
Throughout our Club's 37 year history, making a difference in our community has been of the utmost importance. Our actions have been recognized by GFWC New York and we have won 1st Place Awards for our Community Improvement Projects! WCOP is proud of our Coats for Kids, the Pittsford Food Cupboard, Domestic Violence, St. Pauly Textile Shed, the Home and Kitchen Tour and Bunco For Charity projects. In addition, successful Fundraisers such as the Haunted House, Hearts & Flour Cookbook, the Home and Kitchen Tour, Cindy Miller Cabaret Night and Bunco For Charity have enabled WCOP to contribute $360,000.00 to Rochester Area Nonprofit organizations serving those in need. As charity begins at home, our local support of the Pittsford Food Cupboard, the Pittsford Senior Citizens and Coats For Kids resulted in our receiving the "Hands Across Pittsford" Award. In honor of the 100th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote in New York State and the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal, WCOP was proud to participate in a historic celebration, "Votetilla 2017". Projects affecting the health and welfare of our residents were met with our hands on support to agencies such as St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, the American Heart Association, Hillside Children's Center, Gollisano Children's Hospital, Meals on Wheels and Resolve against Domestic Violence. Recognized for our civic responses and "Americanism Through Action", WCOP received the prestigious American Legion "Red, White and Blue" Award for supporting our U.S. Military men, women and their families. Our participation in projects such as "Sew Much Comfort", "Cookies for Troops", "Wreaths Across America" and marching in the Memorial Day Parade reflect our dedication to honor those who serve. Our Charity knows no bounds as we have raised money to help provide food, clothing and supplies in areas hit by natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey and Irma. In the aftermath of the tragedy of 9/11/2001, WCOP raised much needed funds to collaborate with other GFWC N.Y. clubs to purchase an ambulance for NYC. Internationally, WCOP raised funds to buy a well for the "Water For Sudan" project and have adopted a family in Haiti for years in which we supported them with money for food, clothing and education. Pillowcases were made into dresses for girls in Uganda to discourage Human Trafficking. Our daily involvement with the St. Pauly Shed enables collections of gently used clothing to be distributed to people locally, nationally and in third world countries as an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. WCOP members truly "Live the Volunteer Spirit" and continue to make an impact locally, nationally and internationally. General meetings are held once a month from September to June and includes a social gathering, an educational program and a business meeting. Membership is open to all women who are residents in the Greater Rochester Area. |
Past WCOP Presidents
With great pride, we recognize our past Presidents and the important leadership that each brought to WCOP. We appreciate the contributions they have made and continue to make in promoting our mission.
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1984-85 Pat Slimmer 1985-86 Jody Lehr 1986-87 Scootie Seeman 1987-88 Ann Curtin-Knight 1988-89 Barbara Lipari 1989-90 Karen LaVecchia Crotinger 1990-91 Patrice Pallone 1991-92 Anne Stimson 1992-93 Tommi Klinsky 1993 Linda Whiting 1994 Marcia Bell 1994-95 Patricia Taylor 1995-96 Carmen Wallner 1996-97 Alice Swetman 1997-98 Jan Conant 1998-99 Pat Block 1999-00 Betsy Helfrich 2000-01 Bridget Kolano |
2001-02 Wanda Ward & Marguerite Rose 2002-03 Kathy Canzano 2003-04 Beverley Pierson 2004-05 Nancy Schoenberger 2005-06 Kathleen Bankey 2006-08 Linda Litchfield 2008-09 Linda Ward & Bridget Kolano 2009-10 Bonnie Haugh & Paula Reitz 2010-11 Pat Rahn 2011-12 Jan Pickering & Betsy Helfrich 2012-13 Jackie Aab & Pati Robben 2013-14 Beverley Pierson 2014-15 Ann Dickerson 2015-16 Maureen Mulley & Ronna Treier 2016-17 Linda MacKenzie & Carol Michaels 2017-18 Betsy Helfrich 2018-20 Susanne Daly 2020-21 Carol Michaels & Eileen O'Rourke |
Endowments
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2021 Endowment Recipients
Agape Haven of Abundance Community Garden Library $500.00 Blue Star Mothers Chptr. 1 Deployed Soldiers and Vet needs $1,250.00 Bridges for Brain Injury Wildlife Sanitation/Sterilization $500.00 East House Angel Project $500.00 GiGi's Playhouse Speech Language Project $1,000.00 Jr. Achievement of CNY Inspiring Tomorrows/Roch. Students $1,000.00 Nat'l Alliance on Mental Illness Nami Revolution $1,000.00 Pittsford Youth Services PYS Family Fund $1,500.00 Spiritus Christi Prison Outreach Women's Empowerment Program $750.00 Pittsford Food Cupboard Food Supplies $500.00 Friends & Foundation RPL Children's Literacy Program $500.00 |
Scholarships
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The WCOP 2020 Service Scholarship Recipients |
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Each June our club gives $500 service scholarships to a high school senior from both Mendon and Pittsford Sutherland High Schools.
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About the General Federation of Women’s Clubs
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With almost 80,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With almost 80,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.
Click logo above to go to the GFWC website
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Members of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), the largest nondenominational, nonpartisan, international service organization of volunteer women.
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