Julie Stiles put her hobby to good use in 2020.
“I crochet,” said Stiles, first vice president of the Augusta Woman’s Club, who was inspired to crochet more than 100 blankets for Project Linus after a volunteer from that group spoke at a woman’s club event.
Other members joined in to support the organization which provides blankets to children in need.
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Finding a problem and being part of the solution is just one of the ways the woman’s club operates.
“We’re women helping women,” said Stiles.
Founded more than a century ago in Augusta, the club has a legacy, but members find that few people know about the organization and what it does.
The club tries to improve the community in several different sectors including the arts and culture, civic engagement, health and wellness, and education. Club members bring with them a volunteer workforce as well as providing monetary grants to other organizations.
There are about 32 members in the chapter.
“We strive to be diverse and welcoming,” said Anna Reeves, past president.
Women come from all walks of life and range from young women just starting their families to women who’ve raised their children and are now welcoming grandchildren.
With diverse backgrounds and interests comes diverse projects.
One project that has been a mainstay of the club is its dedication to the environment. Members of the group began planting trees in the 1920s, and 100 years later, they are still planting them.
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The organization’s first 50 trees, along with a memorial to Augustans who served during World War I, were planted in the 1920s on Central Avenue.
Today, the group is working to beautify Diamond Lakes’ walking trail in south Augusta through Katherine’s 100 Trees Project.
Mary Beth Jacobson, treasurer and past president, said the walking track is in constant use, and there’s little shade. They’ll be planting another dozen trees on Feb. 19.
Club members have provided school supplies for children and held a baby shower for women at Hope House.
Other ways the club has helped has been by giving grants to area organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, American Red Cross of Augusta and the Lydia Project. At one time, the club owned a house on Milledge Road. It was sold in 1995 with the proceeds invested, so the membership could help more organizations, Stiles said.
Their reach also extends internationally, helping an organization dig two wells in Africa a couple of years ago.
The club is part of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and is accepting new members. The group meets the second Sunday of each month. Prospective members can email augwoclub@gmail.com or call (762) 218-3219 and leave a message.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
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