Arts and Culture
The GFWC Arts and Culture Community Service Program encourages members to promote and support arts activities in their clubs, schools, and communities. It is designed to inspire clubwomen.
GFWC Butler Women hold several “Art Parties” during the year. We plan several social events where we get together and enjoy making and designing new crafts.
2020-2021 Club Year Arts and Culture Projects
On December 12th 2020 the GFWC Jr. Women’s Club of Butler members held our first ever Polar Express Walk Along Fundraiser event at the local Alameda Parks and Recreation. This was not an event that we have ever done before or expected to have, however due to COVID-19 many of the holiday events were canceled. This fall our newly formed our Arts and Culture committee began meeting and came up with an idea for a festive fundraiser. Two of our Arts and Culture Committee members are professionally trained actors and singers. With their expertise and talent, they put together an amazing script and event that was magical and affordable for local children and families.
Member Shannon, McCarren wrote the script and found additional local talent to volunteer for our event. Local business Cummings Coffee donated coffee and hot chocolate to our event, and member Danielle Frankenstein donated her time to make freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, as we could not have a Polar Express event without hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies!!!
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we limited our group sizes to 25 or less, in increments of 12 groups. The participating “actors/members” helped tell the story of the Polar Express and how important it is to “Believe.” The evening’s festivities began with our guests being greeted by Elves Holly and Polly from the North Pole! Each group was guided by their own elf tour guide for their Polar Express experience. At the second stop, the Polar Express conductor gave everyone their own stamped “golden tickets,” and from there our talented club member Sarah Bishop dressed in elf gear sang the movie’s theme song “Believe,” as well as other favorite Christmas songs.
Each group finished up by meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, where Santa presented each child and adult with their very one “sleigh bell.” The children rang their bells and could hear it as they were all true believers! After the last stop, groups got to get their photo taken with a festive Christmas backdrop and enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, and cookies. We also shared a Facebook Live video of the complete Polar Express Walk Along experience for those who could not attend. We have found that sharing anything we do on social media has really helped bring attention to our club and has also helped us in recruiting new members!! We had amazing feedback from those who attended and raised a total amount of $1,732.20 for this event.
