News and photos from some of our Club’s activities and events, including our work to support our community.
Dec. 11, 2025: A group of very enthusiastic elves had a lot of fun while working hard to make sure every letter we received in our Santa mailboxes was read by Santa, and a response was sent to the child who wrote it. A favorite activity every year!
Dec. 9, 2025: Our December meeting took place during our annual holiday dinner. It was a festive evening enjoyed by all! Many thanks to the terrific staff at Cafe Allegre for being wonderful hosts. We are also grateful to the delightful and talented young people of the Encore acapella group from Daniel Hand High School who performed some holiday tunes for our enjoyment.
Nov. 20, 2025: We are proud to announce that our 2025 Winter Coat Drive was a tremendous success thanks to the hard work, dedication, and generosity of our members and community. Our co-chairs – Sara Welch, Lori Elia, Kathy DeBurra, Anna Marie Lane, and Josephine Mokriski – led the effort with exceptional coordination and heart. Through their leadership and the support of all, we collected approximately 229 winter coats this season.
We were honored to deliver all collected coats to BHcare, in support of Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the critical services they provide to individuals and families in need. These donations will make a meaningful impact as colder weather approaches and will directly help those seeking safety, stability, and hope.
Thank you to everyone in our club who contributed their time, resources, and compassion. This drive is another example of how our club continues to uplift the community and live the mission of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Nov. 11, 2025: At our November meeting we were pleased to welcome 2 new members. We were also thrilled to have as our guest speaker GFWC/CT Second State Vice President Nicole Karalli, who spoke about Leadership and Member Engagement.
Oct. 31, 2025: We participated in Madison’s annual Trunk or Treat for Halloween on the town green. Our theme this year was “Hippies” and members who volunteered at the event had a groovy time! Thanks to our members who donated candy, we gave out around 3,500 pieces of candy to the many adorable trick-or-treaters!
October 16, 2025: Our “Fall Into Fashion” event was a fabulous evening in every way! Thank you so much to everyone who helped make it a success: the stores who provided the beautiful fashions, the lovely models who wore them, Matt Scott our terrific emcee, the donors who contributed items for the evening, and the MANY volunteers who gave their time and talents. Special thanks to our committee co-chairs for the countless hours spent planning and executing such an amazing and elegant event!!
Many thanks to Peter Sikes of Shoreline Pixels for taking beautiful photos of our models and of the event. To view Peter’s photos, click this link.
October 7, 2025: What a wonderful celebration we had to commemorate our 125 Anniversary! We gathered at the E. C. Scranton Memorial Library in Madison, where our incredible history exhibit is on display, showcasing our many accomplishments of the past 125 years. It also highlighted the completion of our 2024-2025 Community Impact Project, the refurbishment of the information kiosk in downtown Madison. Thank you SO much to the members who were instrumental in putting all of this together! Thank you also to the community members who supported our efforts, helped with the display, donated towards the kiosk project, and came out to celebrate with us!
September 9, 2025: Our first meeting of the 2025-2026 year was a success! Everyone was happy to reconvene after the summer break. We welcomed one new member, and had two guests join us as well. Our new Co-Vice Presidents Catherine Putman and Melody Wirgau led the meeting, and we discussed the many exciting plans already underway for the upcoming year.
July 4, 2025: We put on a great display at the Madison Independence Day parade! The crowds were wowed by our beautiful, incredible float that celebrated our 125th Anniversary this year! Thank you so much to all of our members who contributed to the float’s construction and those who marched in the parade. Special thanks to Dawn Tiscia, Sheila Kinscherf and Kathy DeBurra for their design and leadership which brought this fantastic project to fruition!!
June 13, 2025: Thank you to all of our members who collected so many soda can tabs throughout the year so we could donate such a huge bag to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut & Western Massachusetts! They recycle them in return for cash to help support their programs. And thank you to Kathy DeBurra for delivering them to their site in New Haven for us!
June 10, 2025: We held our annual end-of-year meeting and dinner. 50 women attended and it was a great event! Dinner was delicious and the fellowship was warm and so enjoyable. During our meeting we installed 2 new Co-Vice Presidents who will serve for the coming year. We also presented this year’s Past Presidents Award to Gail Lennox for her 3 years of incredible service as Assistant Treasurer, chair of Trunk or Treat, and just always being there when she’s needed. Thank you to our terrific Hospitality Committee members for their hard working planning the event, and thank you to the staff at Café Allegre for their gracious service!
June 7, 2025: Our Tag Sale at the Madison Lion’s Club Annual Flea Market was a great success! Members donated items to be sold at the event. Starting in the wee hours of the morning with set up, and continuing through the day, our volunteers worked hard and were successful at raising $1,459 for our club’s outreach projects. Special thanks to chairs Dawn Tiscia and Sheila Kinscherf for doing such an amazing job of planning and coordinating things from start to finish!
May 26, 2025: Thank you to a small but spirited group of our members who marched today in the Madison Memorial Day Parade. It was beautiful day, capped off by a touching ceremony on the Green.
May 13, 2025: At our May general meeting, our speaker was Kisha Hull, Program Coordinator at The Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, who spoke about keeping safe when using credit cards and searching the internet. She also shared info about resources available through her agency. We also welcomed one new member, and heard updates on plans for our Community Impact Project, our 125th Anniversary celebration, and other ongoing projects.
May 2, 2025: Congratulations to the Members of our Club for the SEVEN awards we won at this year’s GFWC-CT State Convention! We are classified as a large Club in CT with our Member numbers. State Chairmen are appointed by the current State President (Kathy Barnes) and reports are judged by them as to what is received. We are one of 27 Clubs in the State. There are 9 large Clubs.
The awards we won, by category:
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS:
- 1st PLACE: SIGNATURE PROJECT-Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness & Prevention. Al activities done for this: banner, coat drive, signs, etc.
- 1ST PLACE: ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN: Ronald McDonald House: Speakers, stockings, blankets, etc.
- 2ND PLACE: HEALTH & WELLNESS: Nepal Suitcase Project, collecting and sending needed items to a Nepal orphanage.
ADVANCEMENT PLANS:
- 1ST PLACE: LEGISLATION & PUBLIC POLICY: Support for our DV program with Town Leaders, inviting our First Selectwoman, contact with our State reps, ARPA Grant etc.
- 2ND PLACE: MEMBERSHIP: Summer planning meeting. Input from members. Members added. Recognition at meetings-welcoming them.
- 2ND PLACE: FUNDRAISING: Annual Military Whist Game fundraiser
- 1ST PLACE: WOMEN’S HISTORY & RESOURCE CENTER: Booklet (on the gfwcct.org website-Members Only password Volunteer) published by our member and past State President Kathy DeBurra, including as many State reports (11) that she could gather in the past years.
May 2, 2025: Congratulations to Lynne Sarro, VP of The Women’s Club of Madison, who will attend the LEADS Seminar at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) annual national convention in Atlanta in June. GFWC/CT partially funds the tuition of the seminar to encourage Leadership!
The GFWC Leadership, Education, and Development Seminar (“LEADS”) identifies GFWC members at the local level who have the potential and desire to assume leadership positions in their State Federations and/or GFWC on the national level. Participation in GFWC LEADS can help up-and-coming leaders gain the capabilities, confidence, and commitment necessary to pursue and achieve higher offices and serve with distinction. GFWC LEADS is typically held annually on the day prior to the official opening of the GFWC Annual Convention. The program may include the following:
- Discussion of tips and techniques for pursuing personal growth and developing leadership opportunities.
- Overview of public speaking, time management, vision casting, and conflict resolution.
- Explanation of GFWC resources, materials, and assistance.
- Outline of GFWC policies, parliamentary procedure, and protocol.
May 1, 2025: We are happy to announce that our recent Sip and Shop fundraiser at J McLaughlin in Madison was a great success, earning a $780 donation from J McLaughlin to our Club!
Highlights of the evening included an impressive and delicious spread of food and wine provided by J McLaughlin, and an opportunity to meet other community-minded women from Madison. It was an enjoyable and memorable evening for all.
Many thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Club’s volunteers/shoppers, as well as members of the Madison community who came to show their support. A special thank you to Marlene Curtis for chairing this event.
April 26, 2025: In spite of very rainy and windy conditions, eight of our members volunteered their time for the annual “Green Up Clean Up” project. Held in connection with Earth Day, volunteers gather throughout downtown Madison to clean up litter. Thank you to our members who braved the elements and did their part on our club’s behalf. Bravo!
April 11, 2025: Our Military Whist fundraising event was a great success! After enjoying all of the delicious food contributed by our members, the large crowd had a blast playing cards and socializing with one another. Everyone also loved the beautiful baskets put together by members and raffled off at the end of the event. Many thanks to Joan Powers and Betty King, the event chairs, for all of their hard work, and to our hospitality committee for handling refreshments.
April 8, 2025: At our April monthly meeting, our speakers were Fran Brady and Bob Kuchta of Mad for Trees. They gave an interesting presentation about the organization’s efforts to promote the preservation and growth of native trees and making Madison a more sustainable place.
March 29, 2025: At the annual GFWC/CT Southeast District Day, our Club was honored to receive three awards:
ARTS AND CULTURE: To help the local elementary school in their arts program, donated a safety screen to supplement funds needed to provide a pottery class to K-4 students. This generated publicity for the club through the school’s social media posts.
LEADERSHIP: A summer planning meeting at a local beach was an inspiration. Members shared ideas to be considered for the calendar. Long time members mentor newer members for their projects.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS: The club has had a notice in the weekly papers to attract new members; submitted articles regarding disbursements to organizations they’ve supported; quarterly articles in the town magazine; events posted on social media, Chamber of Commerce email, and Club website. Marched in 2 community parades to raise awareness about club.
Feb. 11, 2025: At our February meeting our speaker was Heather Regan from Raise the Roof, a nonprofit that believes that everyone deserves a decent, affordable and safe place to live. To honor this belief, they work to bring the Shoreline community together to partner with families and help them build and own Habitat homes. Raise the Roof works within the 501(c )(3) of Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven.
Jan. 14, 2025: At our January meeting we welcomed 3 new members to our club. In addition to hearing committee reports, we had a speaker: Linda Fuller, an author and Madison resident who spoke on the topic “A feminist take on the Super Bowl.”
Dec. 11, 2024: Our Knitting Club is at it again! We delivered 21 beautiful handmade afghans to Ronald McDonald House in New Haven. Women’s Club members Kathy DeBurra and Anna Marie Lane presented the afghans and had a tour of the facility. Ronald McDonald House gives families the gift of togetherness. Their Programs serve as safe havens for families with children in need of medical care, keeping families together as they seek essential healthcare services and life-changing medical treatment.
Dec. 10, 2024: We had our December meeting and annual holiday dinner. We also enjoyed a performance by Encore, a talented acapella group from Daniel Hand HS. Thank you to our wonderful Hospitality Committee for all of their hard work in putting together this fantastic evening!
Dec. 5, 2024: For 25 years, members of our Women’s Club have been making knitted and crocheted blankets and afghans as part of the “Warm Up America Movement.” The finished afghans are then donated to organizations that use them or distribute them to people in need. Among those recipients in the past have been the Madison Police Department and The Village for Families and Children; over the years we have given them 1,160 afghans altogether.
In early November, 12 of our members met at E.C. Scranton Library for a “putting together party” where they assembled afghans out of squares the members had knitted or crocheted in their homes. At this party alone, 160 pieces were put together to create 8 afghans, bringing the total that had been created in the past 2 years to about 75 afghans.
On Nov. 20, we presented 10 afghans to the Madison Police department. They carry them in their cars to comfort children (or whoever needs comforting!) after an accident. Then, on Dec. 2, we delivered 10 afghans to the North Congregational Church and Nora Price, who accepted them on behalf of the Free Forever Prison Ministry with Reverand Marquez in New Haven. This program provides blankets, toys, household items, etc. to people in New Haven who have family members in prison and are in need. Nora appreciated the donation and feels they will bring comfort to these families.
November 20, 2024: Our Coat Drive chairperson Sara Welch presented 212 coats to Melissa Simone from BHcare: 77 women’s coats, 82 men’s coats 26 boys coats and 27 girls coats. The coats were collected during the month of October, when we had a donation box placed at the Stop and Shop in Madison. All of the coats were either washed or cleaned, and zippers were repaired to ensure everything was in good working order.
BHcare is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. They provide a comprehensive and integrated system of care, with wrap-around services for adults, children and families struggling with mental health, substance use, domestic violence and other health-risk behaviors. Melissa is their Development Coordinator for the Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services. She also works with the homeless shelters, as well as behavior health support. The coats we collected will be distributed to clients on the shoreline as well as the greater New Haven area.
Nov. 13, 2024: Thanks to the generosity of our members, at our November meeting we stuffed 35 Christmas Stockings with toys to donate to the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven. Emily Lopez and Melanie Burgos from their staff were on hand to accept the donations. They also talked to us about the wonderful work done by this organization which provides families with a home-away-from-home while they have a child undergoing treatment at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Sept. 28, 2024: We participated in the GFWC National Day of Service by collecting donations for the Madison Food Pantry. Altogether, we collected 482 lbs. of food and $201 in cash! Thank you to all of our volunteers, to Stop and Shop in Madison for letting us collect there, and to all of the generous folks who donated!
July 4, 2024: We were proud to be represented at the Madison Independence Day parade. Thank you to all members who participated!
June 26, 2024: Members enjoyed dinner at Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale in Madison. It was a fun evening!
June 22, 2024: Club members donated items and then sold them at the Lion’s Club Tag sale. We raised $872, which is used towards our outreach programs and membership items.
June 11, 2024: Our year-end dinner where we installed our new Board members and presented awards.
PO Box 691, Madison, CT 06443
Women's Club of Madison, CT 