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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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