`BY MARGARET NERY VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

`BY MARGARET NERYVINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- As far as they are concerned members of the Junior Women's League of Canfield are firmly convinced that practice makes perfect.
At least that was the consensus following the 34th annual Fall Market to be sponsored by the organization as one of its major fund-raising projects.
The idea for market was conceived in 1994, by the Women's Club of Canfield, and for the past 25 years has been operated by the Junior League. The market annually attracts crowds to the Canfield Village Green where a host of vendors set up shop and ply their wares.
"We have it down to a system," says Karen Pavlansky, the club president, who explains that admission to the fundraising event is free, convenient parking is provided, and refreshments and concessions are available to browsers and shoppers.
While the group has never had a major catastrophe when staging the market, the president admits that "The weather is always a factor." This year she said it was a source of worry as storms were predicted for the Sept. 20 event, "but thankfully never materialized."
"The event has been so profitable that three high school scholarships are awarded annually from the Fall Market proceeds." says Pavlansky, and she notes that some of the funds raised are also diverted to other charitable or community projects.
While the market is their most profitable fund-raising endeavor, the league has also supported philantrophic work in the community by holding house tours, fashion shows, American Girl tea parties and by selling cookbooks.
The sale of the "Simple Pleasures" cookbook has always been a reliable source of income for the enterprising women. In fact, a second edition is in the works and Pavlansky says recipes "have been created, tested, sampled and rated at meetings -and she smiles as she adds "the testing resulted in some fantastic treats."
However, the cookbook did more than provide tasty treats and raise money. One member, Anne Liller, says, "I became interested in joining the Canfield Junior League after purchasing their fantastic cookbook." Then she added, "Once I joined, I must say that I have been very impressed with the warmth and caring nature of the members and their dedication to the community."
Several of the traditional fund-raising events such as the sale of the cookbooks and the market are again on the agenda, but the organization is already looking for new and interesting ways to raise funds in order to improve life in the Canfield area.
As one of its major goals for this year, the league will strive to raise enough money to purchase and install defibrillators in area schools
According to member Janet LeClair the club will as usual find a way to get that done. As an example of what the dedicated members have already accomplished, she says, "The league has been able to provide mannequins for CPR training at Poland Fire Department, has decorated and renovated a women's shelter for battered women, has provided financial support for the Ulster Project, and has sent money to help build an orphanage for children in Haiti."
Recognized as this year's outstanding member for her volunteer efforts on behalf of the club and community, LeClair, who is humbled by the honor says, "I feel others have done so much more."
However, she adds that she received a great deal of personal satisfaction from such club projects as making comfort caps for those who suffered hair loss while undergoing chemotherapy and for the oncology department at Tod Children's Hospital.
She smiles as she tells how one man began wearing one of the caps, although his wife said she didn't know why, "because he has been bald for years."
The organization was initially established primarily as a social group where area women could share ideas and develop lasting relationships. As charter members of the organization retired or chose other forms of activities, the baton was passed to their daughters and other family members. Presently approximately 100 women are involved as active, provisional, associate or sustaining members.
However, like most volunteer organizations, the league is admittedly having a hard time recruiting new members as more and more women work outside the home and have difficulty fitting volunteer work into their busy schedules.
To encourage membership, the requirements have been made simple: Those involved must attend five of the eight meetings each year; must serve on one department and one club project each year, and voluntarily serve on any league projects as time and talent allow.
Although she has lived in the community for only 4 1/2 years, Judy Buck, a former member of Boardman-Poland JWL, found that joining the Canfield branch provided her with a great opportunity to meet some great women and enjoy the activities and community service." She believes membership is a good way to get involved and to help others while forming new friendships with other women interested in making a difference in their community.
Also happy with her involvement with the League is Patty Jones who says, "The Canfield Junior Womens League has given me an opportunity to meet and work with people in the community through volunteerism." She says the success of the organization may be attributed in part to fact that "every member brings something special to the group" and adds "I am thankful for the lasting friendships I have made because of this organization."
For area women considering an outlet for their talents, and a way to make enduring friendships, the group has recently published a self-explanatory little phamplet, appropriately titled, "Welcome Aboard." It was designed primarily to give each a better understanding of the organization's goals, projects and achievements.
Pavlansky, who like so many others in the club has learned to successfully juggle time for home and family with volunteerism, has chosen as the motto for her term of office, a quote attributed to Helen Keller, "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."
She hopes the words will serve as an inspiration for active members, provincials, and all those women who are interested in volunteering their time and energy for the betterment of their community.