Junior Woman's Club Raising Money to Offer a Hot Meal to People in Need

The Simsbury Junior Woman's Club on Tuesday raised about $1,220 towards its goal of providing hot meals for those in need who will take part in the April 27 cheese day in town.

Simsbury is experiencing an increasing number of families and/or elderly who are using the food closet/cheese day. In fact, approximately 200 families now use this program.

On February 22 as part of a new member project, the club held some creative fundraisers on a school vacation day. “Mom’s Day Out” and “Kid’s Day Out” was a successful fundraiser.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to patronize local businesses while supporting a local charity ... my happy kids and beautiful nails are a fabulous bonus, too,” said new member Elaine Lang of Simsbury who was at Han’s Nails with her daughter Abigail.

This year the new members of the woman’s club, about 20 women, have taken on adding a hot meal to the dry goods and produce that will be available April 27.

Barbara Kaylor, new member of the club and local realtor, came up with the idea of enlisting help from three businesses in town: the , Han’s Nails and . All three businesses donated half of their Feb. 22 proceeds from a portion of the day.

The Gymnastics Training Center offered “Kid’s Day Out” where there were inflatables, gymnastics instruction, a movie and a snack for $20 per child. The event was sold out by the time it started at 12 p.m. and new members Nancy Leckie, Laura Schless, Barbara Kaylor, Kelly Devivo, plus other members volunteered to watch the children and collect the money.

“We were glad to be included in this very worthwhile fund raiser. Everyone was quite pleased with the event and we'd love to do it again in April,” said Nancy Ford, owner of the Gymnastics Training Center who also gave out back packs to the children who attended.

There will be another similar event at the Gymnastics Training Center in April to support the same cause. Contact barbara.kaylor@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Han’s Nails, in the shopping center, also generously contributed half of what they made from “Moms Day Out” which included the hours of noon to 3 p.m.

“This is the best place to come and I have tried them all,” said Norma Mineau of Granby who was pleased to find out Han’s Nails was donating.

“It is such a clean place. We look forward to coming here. They treat us so well. Pedicures are just wonderful. I never had one and now every other Tuesday we come here. They take your coat, it isn’t phony. It is true,” said Florence Westlake of Granby about the nail salon. She wasn’t surprised that the owner was donating to the cause.

Battiston’s offered half off its $20 coupons sold by Barbara Kaylor who was able to sell 20 coupons. The coupons are good at any Farmington Valley Battiston’s location and are good for up to one year.

“Being in charge of such a willing and able bunch of ladies is really nice,” said new members co-head Laura Schless of Simsbury.

“It is great to be doing something to help others, but it is great for my kids too,” added her sister Dawn Lombardi, a co-head of new members. “They (her children) were both so excited to come.”

The Simsbury Junior Woman’s Club is a non-profit organization of volunteer women. They are involved in many community projects and new members regularly do their own project each year which teaches them about how to organize, fund, and execute future projects that are helpful to the area. If you would like to donate money to be used for Simsbury’s cheese day, go to www.simsburyjuniors.org and click on “make a donation.”