The Brooksville Women’s Club is not just a social organization. Its members are committed to using their time and talents to help our community in many ways. The women create “Comfort Bears” for children, hats for cancer patients and “angels” for relatives of people who have passed away after being in Hospice care.
Marilyn Townsend is eighty-nine years “young” and Home Life Chair of this service project.
“We wanted to do something for children in the event of an accident or trauma situation. We contacted the Sheriff’s Office, Brooksville Police Department and Fire Rescue. Then we made the bears,” Marilyn stated.
It was a group effort. Some ladies cut out the patterns, while others sewed and stuffed the bears. First responders keep the Comfort Bears in their vehicles and give them to children who are going through a traumatic event.
The club then decided to give the Comfort Bears to children with special needs. They contacted Esther’s School in Spring Hill and arranged to bring bears to Ms. Betsy Ahren’s group of students in her Life Skills class. The children, ages five to ten were thrilled.
“It was such a special treat to see the smiles on the students faces as they received the bears,” Ms. Ahrens remarked.
The next school the women visited was Pine Grove Elementary where they gave the comfort bears to students in one of the classes. The reaction of the children was the same. They even wrote Thank you cards to the ladies.
The Women’s Club continues to spread their special brand of comfort and joy by making hats for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Their latest project is creating “Angels” for relatives of those who have passed away after being cared for by Hospice. It is a touching reminder of their loved ones.
The Brooksville Women’s Club, founded in 1932, is located at 131 South Main Street. They have a long history of volunteerism and service to the community. They also rent out their building to the public for special events.
For more information on the club call 352 345-2173 or go to http://gfwcbrooksvillewomansclub.org/
