Our Committees!
The Vernon Township Woman's Club has a multitude of committees that are responsible for various projects which goals are to make a difference in the lives of others by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promote healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding through volunteer work.
The Department and Committee Heads work together with club members to complete these projects and activities throughout the year. Club members have the opportunity to join projects that interest them.
Once act of kindness can brighten a person's day.
One volunteer can make a difference.
One charitable project can help meet a need. (Mills, L. 2026)
Committee Chairs
Communications: The Communications Department, headed by Maria Dorsey keeps the community and our members informed about the amazing work we do. This is completed through social media, our website, press releases, club newsletter, club yearbook and the President's Scrapbook.
Membership: The Membership Department, headed by Joan Danaher answeres questions about joining the club, orders membership pins, keeps list of member names and addresses, takes attendance at monthly meetings and host our year New Member Tea that takes place every August.
Ways and Means: Headed by Judy Phillips, the treasurer receives all club funds and makes disbursements on the approval of the Executive Board and/or the General Membership. Any expenses occurring during the Club year that are beyond the budgeted maximum must be approved by the General Membership. She shall write all letters pertaining to finance that bear the Club’s signature. She shall keep itemized accounts of all receipts and expenditures and shall present a statement to the Executive Board and General Membership each month. She shall sign all checks together with the President. By virtue of her office, she shall be a member of the Finance Committee.
Maria Dorsey
Communications
Joan Danahar
Membership
Judy Phillips, Interin
Ways and Means/Treasurer
Advocates for Children
The Advocates for Children Chairman spearheads programs that benefit children in their community, state, or the world. Many of these programs help to ensure that children are protected from harmful situations, encourage healthy physical and emotional lifestyles and help to impact policy to improve children's lives. Currently throughout the year, this committee supports:
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Birth Haven: Birth Haven is a non-profit transitional living facility and shelter in Newton, New Jersey, that provides housing, support, and education for homeless and pregnant young women and girls.
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Dulce Esperanza: The Warwick Area Farmworker Organization (WAFO) organizes a “Dulce Esperanza” (Sweet Hope) Summer Enrichment Program that runs from July 2 through August 17 each year for farmworkers children ages 6 - 13 who live in Orange County.
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Ginnie's House: Ginnie's House is a non-profit organization for abused children. They work with law enforcement to get these children out of their situation by providing safe passage. Each Christmas season, Ginnie's House has a Christmas party. We collect teddy bears and blankets and deliver them to Ginnie's House in Newton, New Jersey.
Fran Gialanella
Chair
Rosetta Peterson
Birth Haven
TBA
Dulce Esperanza
Donna Maher
Ginnie's House
Arts Performing & Arts & Culture
The avenues of art are only limited by our imaginations. NJSFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program encourages members to promote and support art activities in their clubs, schools, and communities. Its goal is to inspire clubwomen with a desire to make their world a more beautiful place by creating programs and projects in a multitude of arts-related areas, both traditional and innovative, and to promote the appreciation of the many cultures found on this earth.
The Arts Performing Community Service Program is designed to inspire clubwomen to be creative with programs and projects that incorporate music, literature, drama, dance, theatre and more. Each year Dee attends the Highlands District Spring Conference and Achievement Day in which she represents the members who submits an entry for this yearly contest. Members are welcome to attend this event. In November, this committee will be hosting a Art Show in celebration of the 250 Anniversary of the Revolutionary War with the Girls Scouts of Vernon - Junior troops.
Dee Garbarino
Chair
Civic Engagement & Outreach
The Civic Engagement and Outreach committee is designed to actively connect our club members with projects and activities that focus on civic and social responsibilities. They include:
Veterans & Military Support:
International Affairs: Through Heifer International, the club donates funds to this non-profit organization which provides livestock, tools, and training to families in underdeveloped countries. We also sponsor drives to collect items to support initiatives in underdeveloped countries. Some projects provide items for people to live more comfortably (such as shoes), while others enable people to become financially self-sufficient. Our past projects have collected bras for Free the Girls, sewing machines for Sewing Peace, and children's shoes for Soles4Souls.
International Affairs: Some projects find ways to meet need to connect with individuals in other countries. For example, our Pen Pal Project matched club members with women in Ukraine as pen pals to learn about each other's lifestyles and to help the Ukrainian women improve their English-speaking skills.
Outreach: Currently our club supports agencies such as DASI, Project Self-Sufficiency and Warwick Area Farmworkers Organization (WAFO).Throughout the year, various projects take place. In February, club members have the opportunity to bake and assemble homemade cookies which are delivered to the Homestead Nursing Home and DASI. Each year donations are collected of gently used prom, wedding and mother-of-the-bride dresses to Project Self-Sufficiency for their "Sister-to-Sister" Prom Shop. In March, club members who want to volunteer start preparing to fill Easter baskets for the residence at DASI.Through the school year, club members have the opportunity to tutor children in WAFO's Homework Club. The Birthday Bag project is designed to bring some joy to residents living at nursing homes. Currently, each month a birthday bag is prepared for residents at the Homestead Rehabilitation and Health Care Center celebrating a birthday. Club members deliver the gift bag each month.
Debra Piccirillo
Chair
Debra Piccirillo
Veterans & Military Support
Lisa Mills
International Affairs
Lisa Thomas & Judy Phillips
Birthday Bags
Lisa Murphy
DASI
Joan Danaher & Dee Garbarino
Project Self Sufficiency
TBA
Warwick Area Farmworkers Organization (WAFO)
Education & Libraries
Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities. The chairman oversees programs such as Girls Career Institute, Academic Improvement Awards, and High School Senior Scholarships.
Valerie Seufert
Chair
Environment & Conservation
The Environment and Conservation Committee is responsible in promoting ecological stewardship, sustainability, and local community beautification. This is accomplished through hands on activities such as the Vernon Clean Community Project. Club volunteers perform roadway cleanup for which the club receives compensation. Other volunteers maintain the flower garden at the Vernon Senior Center.
Maria Dorsey
Chair
Health and Wellness
This committee encourages club members to focus on physical and mental well-being, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyle education. Club members are encourage to track their physical activity hours during the calendar year including exercise classes and physical therapy. Other programs managed under this committee are:
Blankets With Care Project: Members who like to knit or crochet make blankets for distribution to several local facilities for chemo and dialysis patients, including cancer centers and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.
Comfort Pillows: Members who like to knit or crochet make blankets for distribution to several local facilities for chemo and dialysis patients, including cancer centers and Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.Donations are also accepted.
Vial for Life: Vial of Life is a medical emergency system containing an individual’s medical information such as medications, medical conditions, doctor’s names, contact numbers, etc. Club members compile them and distribute them to various organizations.
Karen Szepietowski
Chaiir
Karen Szepietowski
Blankets with Care
Reba Burrell
Comfort Pillows
Rosemarie Guidice
Vial of Life
Special State Project
Embrella was founded in 1972 and incorporated in 1974, Embrella, formerly Foster and Adoptive Family Services, serves foster, adoptive and kinship parents in communities throughout NJ. They provide services, support and training opportunities for foster, adoptive and kinship families, and others having the responsibility for and/or the interest in the well-being of children.
Their Mission is to embrace, support, and advocate for children, youth, and families within the child welfare community. Their vision is a future where all children, youth, and families are safe, stable, and nurtured. For more information visit Embrella's website: https://njsfwc.org/projects/special-state-project/
Fran Gialanella
Chair
President's Scrapbook
This committee records and preserves the history, events, and community service projects of the club through physical memory books. The completed scrapbook is presented to the President each year.
Amanda Philippe
Chair