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Welcome Wagon rolls into new year at social
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Neighbors | Submitted.Members and guests of the Welcome Wagon Club of Canfield celebrated the end of summer and the beginning of a new year with a Crazy Hat Competition at a New Member Social Aug. 17.
BY ABBY SLANKER
Members and guests of the Welcome Wagon Club of Canfield celebrated the end of summer and the beginning of a new year at a New Member Social Aug. 17. The club held a Crazy Hat competition with many creative and outrageous hats on display.
“This is the year that the club’s board and I have dubbed as the year of rejuvenation. We are diligently trying to educate more people in the community about our organization so we can expand our membership, be more active in the community, raise more funds, and in turn, help more of those in our community,” said Kwaiser-Miller, president of the Welcome Wagon Club of Canfield.
The Welcome Wagon Club’s year runs from August through May, starting with the August social. In September, the club holds a membership potluck to discuss the committees in which members can participate.
In October, the club holds a home consultant party that is open to the public. The club invites various independent consultants from companies such as Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simply, Partylite, BeautiControl, Princess House, Signature Home Styles and Silpada Jewelry, to showcase their products. The club receives the “host” benefits which are put toward products for their annual fundraiser.
The annual fundraiser, which is also open to the public, is the main focus of the club. Members work to raise money to donate to those in need locally. This year, the fundraiser will be held at the beginning of May.
At the end of the club’s year, they host an appropriations brunch, where they distribute funds to the selected beneficiaries. Each organization is given a few minutes to discuss the organization and explain how the money will be used.
The club also holds various member social events throughout the year.
According to Kwaiser-Miller, in addition to local families in need, the club contributes to many charitable organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, Beatitude House, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Canfield Community Care Net Help Hotline, Hospice of the Valley, Knights of Columbus, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels, Multiple Sclerosis, Operation Blessing, Pregnancy Help Center, Rescue Mission, Silver Lining Fund, Sojourner House, Special Olympics and Youngstown Speech and Hearing.
Kwaiser-Miller also pointed out that the Welcome Club of Canfield is not affiliated with the national Welcome Wagon Club.
“There is a major misnomer about the Welcome Wagon Club of Canfield. We are no longer affiliated (and have not been for many years) with the national Welcome Wagon Club (the organization that goes door to door to welcome newcomers to the neighborhood). Simply put, we are a social organization with philanthropic roots.
“Our membership is open not just to Canfield residents, but to anyone in the Mahoning Valley. We have several members who reside in Boardman, Poland and several other towns in the Mahoning Valley. We are a dynamic group of very diverse woman from all walks of life, socioeconomic status and age. We enjoy having fun, while helping those in need,” she said.
Each month, the club welcomes interested guests to their meetings. Unless otherwise noted, the Welcome Wagon Club of Canfield meets at Old North Church, 7105 Herbert Road, on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 126.
For more information contact Rachel Musilli, vice president of membership, at 330-310-5872, visit canfieldwelcomewagon.com or visit Facebook and type Welcome Wagon of Canfield in the search field.