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The Burlington Junior Woman’s Club was organized on October
3, 1956 with 30 charter members. Community service has continued to
be BJWC’s main interest and projects adopted over the years
reflect the needs of the community and society. GFWC BJWC is a member
in Good Standing of the GFWC-NC and has received statewide recognition
for participating in several Federation projects. The club qualified
as an Honor Club in 1958 and has maintained that status throughout
the years. |
BJWC’s First Project
The first project adopted by the club was to carry lunches from a
city school to the Grace School for the Trainable Child located in
a local church. The project continued through 1962 when the special
school was moved to Glencoe School. |
1960 – 1969
Projects from the early sixties include a drive to add fluoride to
the city water system; work with the March of Dimes; participation
in newly organized blood programs; working with the K-O polio project
and work with Elon Homes for Children. In the late sixties, projects
continued to center on helping children with a marionette show; work
with Grace School and the Elon Homes; a story hour for pre-school
children; and assisting at the newly established kindergarten for
handicapped children. Members also participated in the YMCA membership
campaign and started a clothing closet. |
1970 – 1979
In the seventies, a drug prevention program was started, and in the
mid-70’s, Camp Greenleaves became a major focus of the club
support. BJWC raised funds for a bath house at the camp in 1974, purchased
a dryer in 1975, and held parties for the campers in 1976. The Children’s
Home Society, the Murdoch Center and a redecoration of the children’s
ward of Alamance County Hospital joined our list of charities in the
mid-1970’s as well. |
 1980
– 1989
In 1981, BJWC started the Infant Car Seat Loaner Program by raising
enough funds to purchase 60 safety seats. The Highway Research Center
of North Carolina matched the number of seats for a total of 120 to
be loaned to needy Burlington families. The project earned the Clarice
Goodman silver award at the state level for “Outstanding Safety
Project” under the Public Affairs Department. Club members handled
this project under 1984 when the seats were turned over to two local
hospitals to be loaned to all new parents. 1984 marked the beginning
of BJWC’s two-year fingerprinting program at Holly Hill Mall.
In 1986 our main focus was decorating and furnishing toys for the
basement play area at the Shelter for Abused Women in Burlington.
In 1989 BJWC began providing one hot meal a month at the local Homeless
Shelter as a year around project. |
1990 – 1999
BJWC held an annual “Great American Band Jam” to benefit
the American Red Cross. Project Shoes was started and the club raised
funds to buy shoes for underprivileged children in conjunction with
the school system. The project was a great success and was chosen
to be a Signature project to be continued every year. BJWC continued
its community service by providing monthly meals to the Homeless Shelter,
baby sitting for Parent Out Reach, delivering Meals on Wheels, Thataways
Prom, and driving visually impaired citizens to and from their monthly
support group. |
 2000
– 2004
BJWC celebrated its 45th Anniversary on October 3, 2001 and had a
great attendance by past club presidents, GFWC-NC President Teresa
Lee, and Mayor Joe Barbour issued a proclamation that declared this
day GFWC-NC BJWC Day. The club spread their service efforts across
the community by continuing projects such as the Emergency Night Shelter
monthly meals, Meals on Wheels, Christmas Cheer, Elon Back to School
Shower, Operation Christmas Child, Thataways Prom, Blood Drive, Project
Shoes, Camp Green Leaves, and Adopt A Highway. |
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