Wands for Wildlife
If you have an old mascara container that you are finished with, don’t throw it away. Instead, wash the wand with some Dawn dish detergent, put it in a zip lock bag, and bring it to the Caldwell or West Caldwell Library. We are collecting the mascara wands for Wands for Wildlife, a nonprofit organization. The used mascara wands are repurposed by wildlife rehabilitators to groom, clean, and treat wild animals. The soft, compact bristles on mascara wands can be used to gently remove fly eggs, dirt, fleas, ticks, and larvae from the fur of animals and the wings of birds. They work particularly well because the bristles are close together and are gentle enough to clean small animals. Boxes for the wand collection will be in the local libraries until May 31st.
Founding Mothers of America
In celebration of Women’s History Month, The Women’s Club of Caldwell, in conjunction with the West Caldwell Public Library, sponsored “Founding Mothers of America, Revolutionary Women” by Walter C. on March 25. The American Revolution and subsequent Independence, which created the United States of America, was the collective effort of over 150 individuals known as the “Founders.” Walter Choroszewski presented stories of the Revolutionary Women that significantly contributed from the Battlefields to the White House in the founding of America.
Emmanuel Cancer Foundation
The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation provides New Jersey families facing the crisis of pediatric cancer a place to turn for comfort and support through professional services and other financial assistance – all free of charge. One area the foundation is seeking help with is providing Uber gift cards or bus passes to assist in transportation costs to and from treatments.
If you can help by donating an Uber gift card, a bus pass, or donate money towards the purchase of these items, please send them to:
Women’s Club of Caldwell
PO Box 1042
West Caldwell, NJ 07007-1042
Or Venmo at: @WOMEN’SCLUBOFCALDWELL
Women’s History Month
West Essex First Aid Donation
The Women’s Club of Caldwell donated $1,000.00 to our community’s First Aid Squad. Women’s Club of Caldwell’s Program Coordinator Diane Russo and Health & Wellness Chairperson, Nancy Howley, presented the donation to West Essex First Aid Squad volunteers, Squad Captain Jeff Sutherlin, Jessica Anello, and Squad President Peter Nancoz. The West Essex First Aid Squad serves the towns of Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, and West Caldwell.
A Baby Shower Collection for Eva’s Village
Thank you to everyone who dropped baby items off in the Caldwell Library and West Caldwell Library collection boxes! With your help, our club collected hundreds of baby items for Eva’s Village, an organization that aids women and children in need. The collection included diapers, baby wipes, bibs, shampoo, books, and many baby outfits. Your donation will help Eva’s Village supply much-needed items to expecting mothers. For more information about Eva’s Village, visit https://www.evasvillage.org/.
Valentine’s Cards for
Nursing Home Residents
Club members and friends gathered at the West Caldwell Library to make Valentine’s Cards for residents at a local nursing home. We held three workshops at the library to make over 140 unique cards for the West Caldwell Care Center residents. The cards were delivered on February 13 to the care center. We hope these cards send a little love this Valentine’s Day.
Students Make Valentine’s Cards for Nursing Home
Arts & Culture Co-Chair Carol Crump and Grover Cleveland Middle School Builder’s Club Advisor Mrs. LaBato, helped students make Valentine’s Cards for the residents of Crane’s Mill. Women’s Club member Ms. Gleitsmann suggested the Women’s Club work with the school’s Builder’s Club. The Women’s Club provided the supplies needed to make the cards. The students made over 40 cards for the Nursing Home section of Crane’s Mill. 
Day of Service Food Drive
Our club provided 20 Healthy Meal Kits to the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs’ National Day of Service – Food Collection. “Healthy Meal Kits” contained the following items:
• 1 lb. Bags of dry beans. • 14.5 oz. Cans of vegetables (low sodium)
• (2) 15 oz. Cans of fruit in fruit juice. • (2) 5 oz. Cans of tuna in water
• 12.5 oz. Cans of chicken in water. • 12 oz bags of quinoa
Club members worked with the other clubs of the NJSFWC Liberty District to sort and bag the food kits. The kits were delivered to the Paterson Food Bank. 
Holiday Family Project
Thank you to our club members and friends for helping to sponsor a local family this Holiday Season. The Caldwell Department of Health and Human Services provided our club with gift details for the family. We added some items for the mom and included the materials for wrapping the gifts. Over 45 items were collected and given to Maria Burak at the Caldwell Department of Health and Human Services’ new home on Smull Ave. Thank you for helping to brighten the lives of a local family this holiday season.
Holiday Card Making with Seniors
Several club members visited the West Caldwell Care Center to help the residents create holiday cards. Using images from old holiday cards, construction paper, markers, and colored pencils, the residents made unique cards. Club members also helped some individuals to write in the cards. The residents enjoyed the activity and said they plan to give the cards to family, friends, and staff members.
Caldwell Food Pantry
Four members of the Women’s Club of Caldwell Volunteered at the Caldwell Food Pantry at 24 Smull Avenue to sort and shelve the Thanksgiving food donations. The local schools collected food staples, and many members of the community dropped off bags of food and frozen turkeys. Club members checked all donated items to ensure that they are within the expiration date before shelving. The shopping bags filled with Thanksgiving fixings were already prepared to be distributed with the Turkeys on Monday and Tuesday.
Veteran’s Dinner
In remembrance of Veteran’s Day and to thank the servicemen and women for their dedication to our country, The Women’s Club of Caldwell provided dinner for the members of the American Legion James Caldwell Post 185 in Caldwell. In addition to sandwiches from Shoprite, members brought homemade macaroni salad and tossed salad, plus provided dessert (brownies and cookies.) The dinner was organized by Diane Nestor-McMahon, WCC’s Civic Engagement & Community Outreach chair. Volunteers included Maria P., Carol C., Amy K., Barbara T., Marge O, Barbara Sp., and Betty S. On Veteran’s Day, we encourage the public to remember the sacrifices American soldiers have made to keep peace around the world.
Women’s Club of Caldwell is holding a GotSneakers fundraiser!
Our community has donated 26 pairs of sneakers at Foot Solutions, which should result in funds for our scholarship fund. Keep the donations of new or gently used sneakers coming! Our goal is 130 pairs to recognize the 130 years of Women’Clubs in NJ helping our communities. Recycling and reusing sneakers keeps sneakers out of landfills, reduces the need for manufacturing new sneakers, and supports a growing circular economy. All reusable sneakers are recirculated to secondhand markets so people can access quality, pre-owned footwear at affordable prices. All heavily used and damaged footwear is recycled to reuse materials or to convert waste into new energy. Contact Phyllis K. at phylliskent14@gmail.com for more information. You can drop off your old sneakers in the box located at Foot Solutions 756 Bloomfield Avenue (near TJMaxx in West Caldwell.) By donating your used sneakers, you will be joining the sneaker recycling community, and you will be making a global impact!
Walk With Us to Support Breast Cancer Research!
Thank you to everyone who donated or walked with us at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 23. So far, we have raised $285! There is still time to support our team at: https://tinyurl.com/WCCCancerWalk
West Caldwell Library Box Collection – October
Thank you to everyone who donated new and gently used yarn, crochet hooks, and knitting needles to our collection box at the West Cadwell Library. The collection will be used to make items (blankets, lap quilts, preemie hats, etc.) for charities such as Warm Up America, Project Linus, and Click for Babies. Some of the collected items will be used to teach individuals (children and adults) how to crochet and knit. For more information about this collection or upcoming craft activities, please email Carol at artsculture@womensclubofcaldwell.org.
Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Birthday Party Supply Collection – September 2022
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Women’s Club of Caldwell’s collection of birthday party supplies for the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation. Your donation of gift bags, decorations, tablecloths, etc. will bring smiles to children dealing with cancer.
The Emmanuel Cancer Foundation provides New Jersey families facing the crisis of pediatric cancer a place to turn for comfort and support. For more information about this project or the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, please email Barbara at BzBuechner@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who donated school supplies. WCC put together backpacks with supplies to be donated to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation.
Blizzard Bag Donations February 2022
The Women’s Club of Caldwell donates Blizzard Bags to Caldwell University’s Food Pantry. Alison Self (pictured left), supervisor of the university’s Cougar Food Pantry, helps club member Carol Crump unload the 24 Blizzard Bags. Each Blizzard Bag contains a shelf-stable meal for four people. The food for the blizzard bags was purchased and donated by members of the Women’s Club of Caldwell. For more information about the Women’s Club of Caldwell’s Blizzard Bag program, email: womensclubofcaldwellnj@gmail.
com.
President’s Message August 2021
Many of us are starting our 2021-2022 year with a feeling of renewed appreciation for community life, after a year of isolation due to the pandemic. I have reflected on how the events of the past year have changed our Club dynamics and noticed how we have continued on and even improved during this adversity. Our membership contains a group of resilient women with a purpose, worthy goals and a mission – to give to our community and to be of service to its residents.
Beyond service however, we recognize that social support of our membership is also critical. This past year we have learned how to take time for each other whenever possible. Members are/and have been encouraged to bring new ideas and perspectives to our Board, to expand the club’s community involvement and awareness, and to have fun while ensuring our club is vibrant, strong, and welcoming to all.
To our members: I hope that you find enjoyment and inspiration in what we are doing, and please know that I always look forward to your ideas, questions and comments.
To the Community: I hope that you individually and/or collectively continue to benefit from our programs and efforts and that you will consider joining and/or participating in our numerous community projects.
Please let me know how I can support you all, and I hope that you will think about ways that you can support The Women’s Club of Caldwell (WCC).
With Unity, Commitment, and Passion,
Alicia DiMonte
President 2021-2024
Women’s Club of Caldwell
July 22,2021….August 2021
The Collection Boxes are out for needed Food Pantry Supplies
WCC FOOD COLLECTION BOXES for the Caldwell Food Pantry have been placed at :
The Caldwell and West Caldwell Libraries
The Food Pantry needs:
- Kid’s Snacks,
- Juice Boxes
- Coffee / Tea
- Canned Fruit
- Pasta in a can
- Canned Veggies
- Kids Cereal
- Paper Towels/ Toilet Paper…
Please provide what you can to help support our neighbors.
*A Special thanks to Frances Larkey of the Caldwell Library who created the flyers for our summer food collection effort . Thanks Fran! 🙂
June 26, 2021
The school garden has looked wonderful this June. The new paths and the top soil have made a huge difference. Thanks to the Kiwanis, Women’s Club of Caldwell, Master Gardeners, Green team and Kevin Mackin, who all donated or helped in some way make it look so good.
Thank you.
Phyllis
Community-wide Collection for the Month of May 2021
The Women’s Club of Caldwell is collecting used eyeglasses and eyeglass cases to be refurbished by the Lions’ organization and distributed to people in need in low and middle-income communities. Your or your child’s old eyeglasses can help a child read, an adult be successful in their job, or a senior maintain their independence. Collection boxes are located at Caldwell and West Caldwell Public Libraries. (The Caldwell Library’s hours are M, T & Th: 10AM – 1PM & 2PM-5PM, W: 2PM-7PM, and Sat.: 10AM-2PM (Fri.-Closed.) The West Caldwell Library’s hours are M & W: 9AM-7PM, T., Th, & F.: 9AM-5PM, and Sat. 9AM-Noon.)
For more information about this collection, please email Carol at healthwellness@
Thank you for your donation!
Interesting Information about Women’s Club activities in our State and the power of united women for a cause!.. ENJOY
A generation before they had the right to vote, women from the Women’s Club of Englewood had the foresight to campaign to close the quarries on the Hudson River and preserve the natural beauty of the cliffs along the Palisades. Watch this short 3-minute video about the creation of Palisades Interstate Park and the Women’s Federation Monument
Blizzard Bags for the Caldwell Food Pantry were collected During the month of February 2021 (and will continue to be collected throughout the winter season). The intent of the blizzard bags is to support those who have difficulty getting out of their homes to shop.
Thank you all for helping to keep our community fed!
Healthy Habits (January 2021)
Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness
During the monthly meeting in October 2020, member Carol Crump made a presentation about women’s breast cancer awareness. The presentation was very informative and packed with information that all women should know.
We have included the power point here for those of you who would like to refresh or for those of you who happened to miss this special event.
AN OUTREACH FOR ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS MONTH
On November 11, 2020 Diane Nestor-McMahon (c0- president of the WCC) delivered the items collected for Operation Chillout to the storage and packing facility in Washington, New Jersey.
Operation Chillout is New Jersey’s all volunteer Veteran Outreach program assisting homeless men and women veterans of NJ.
Thanks to the generosity of our community and our Caldwell and West Caldwell Libraries we collected 42 pairs of socks, 5 sets of thermal underwear, 4 outer garments, 5 pairs of gloves, 29 knitted hats and two $10 Dunkin Donuts gift cards for Operation Chillout. The Women’s Club of Caldwell also contributed $200 as an additional donation for the purchase of backpacks and thermal sweatshirts.
All of the donations were greatly appreciated. – A special Thank You to our community for your support of this endeavor.
Mask Making and Deliveries
Over the past few months our club has been very busy sewing and reaching out to our community organizations in order to provide needed, hand made masks in order to help protect these communities during the Corona-19 virus pandemic.
As of May 26, 2020 We have delivered the following:
Mountainside Hospital – 82 masks
Crane’s Mill- 115 masks
Marion Manor – 30 masks and 15 Thinking of You cards
St John’s Soup Kitchen- 30 masks
and our most recent delivery West Caldwell Care Center 50 masks and 15 Thinking of you Cards.
WCC Making Masks for Mountainside Hospital
April Executive Board Meeting Highlights
At the Executive Board meeting of the Women’s club of Caldwell held on Monday April 6, 2020 two resolutions were passed that will positively impact our local community. The Women’s Club of Caldwell will be donating $500.00 to the West Essex First Aid squad and $1000.00 the Caldwell Food Pantry. It is hoped that these funds will help to ease some of the challenges that each organization is facing during this current pandemic.
The club is actively involved in making protective face masks for use by organizations in our local community and neighboring organizations.
WCC Donates to the Borough of Caldwell Department of Human Services
On February 13, 2020, a few members of the Women’s Club of Caldwell were happy to gather at the Borough of Caldwell – Department of Human Services to present a $5,000 donation to the Local Assistance Board – Welfare Fund.
Program Director Maria Burak explained, “The Local Assistance Board (LAB)- Welfare Fund – relies on donations to help local citizens in emergencies. We’ve had an increase in applications this winter and this donation will help a lot of people. Thank you to the members of the Women’s Club of Caldwell for the generous donation.”
Women’s Club of Caldwell has been serving the community for over 100 years.
Pictured from left Jeanette DePalma WCC Communications, Carol Crump and Nancy Howley WCC Civic Engagement and Outreach, Alicia DiMonte WCC Vice President, Diane Nestor-McMahon WCC President LAB member June Cowell and LAB Director Maria Burak. (Photo credit: Janet Markman)
After the Borough of Caldwell consolidated the General Assistance program with the Essex County Program in 2011 the Local Assistance Board continued to help local residents in need. In addition to the Welfare Fund the LAB established the Caldwell Food Pantry in 2009. The fund is used to help people who are in times of trouble and have no other place to turn. Funds help people who do not qualify for the traditional social service programs. Most of the referrals come from local schools, churches and police departments. LAB Volunteers review letters from applicant’s regarding their needs, and the applicant’s plan of action before deciding to help or not. The LAB – Welfare Fund depends on contributions to help Caldwell citizens in emergencies. For more information or to donate to the Welfare Fund, please contact Maria Burak at 973-403-4623 or mburak@caldwell-nj.com.
Martin Luther King Celebration
On January 20, 2020, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service our club, in cooperation with the West Caldwell Library, ran a community service project making fleece hats and scarves for children and women in need at Oasis in Paterson. Individuals from the public and club members cut out and sewed sets of hats and scarves in a variety of sizes (toddler to adult medium). A total of 38 hat and scarf sets and an additional 33 individual hats were made. Each hat or hat and scarf set was bagged and labeled with the size. Thank you to the volunteers and to the West Caldwell Library for providing the room and sewing machines for volunteers to use.
Donated Nightlights for the Court Appointed Student Advocacy Program (CASA)
Jane Mackey. Liberty District VP of NJSFWC is thankful to the women who donated nightlights for CASA. Women’s clubs in the area have also been collecting backpacks, sweat suits, art supplies, Boxtops for Education and sewing kits.
Thank you for your efforts.
The NJ Assembly and Senate have passed the bills authorizing release of funding for the Grover Cleveland Visitors Center and Governor Murphy has signed them as of today. It is believed that your calls and messages helped encourage this outcome. Thank you for your efforts.
Read for the Record
On December 4th, the Women’s Club of Caldwell held a “read for the record” event in cooperation with the West Caldwell Library. Michelle, who runs the story hour at the library, settled the children with a song then Fran from WCC, read the book, Thank You, Omu!, to them. Afterwards, they did a craft put together by Fran and received a certificate from the Women’s Club of Caldwell, naming them as participants in the Read for the Record event. It was a fun hour.
Day of Service – Embrella
Women’s Club of Caldwell members traveled to the Upper Montclair Women’s Club on Saturday, November 16, to help sort items for Embrella, the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Club’s Day of Service project. Embrella, formerly Foster and Adoptive Family Services, is the leading statewide advocacy agency for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents in NJ. Women’s Clubs throughout New Jersey held local collections of personal care items, sheets, towels, and school supplies, which will be distributed by Embrella to college students who have aged out of the foster care system. The Upper Montclair Women Club hosted the collection site for clubs in the Liberty District, where club members sorted and boxed items for delivery to Embrella.
Volunteering
A group of six women from WCC volunteered at Oasis, on October 28th. The club sponsored the lunch and the WCC women served it.
Oasis is an organization whose mission is to change the lives of women and children by breaking the cycle of poverty through compassionate programs designed to feed, clothe, educate, and empower women and children in need. Check their website for more info. and opportunities to volunteer: https://oasisnj.org
Jefferson Elementary Garden
Phyllis Kent along with other master gardeners from our club, created and maintain this beautiful garden. She also regularly engages with students in interactive educational experiences.
Triangle Garden
Members of our conservation committee beautified the triangle at Brookside and Westville Ave. which our club maintains. The Coneflowers now in full bloom
Casa Project
Diane Néstor McMahon, president of WCC with Marla Higgenbotham, executive director of CASA of Union. Members of the Liberty District collected over 150 beach towels for the children to use at summer camp.