2025 PHOTO GALLERY
2025 PHOTO GALLERY
On Friday, May 9, we celebrated Teachers Appreciation Day at Featherstone Elementary School. Our club provided the teachers and staff with breakfast treats from Panera. Mrs.Treadwell, Principal, was most appreciative of WWC and made an announcement to the teachers and staff that WWC had breakfast for them and they came quickly! The Teachers really appreciated the breakfast items, smiling and enjoying all the goodies.
Eight WWC members attended the GFWC Northern District Meeting on April 5, 2025. The meeting was held at the Potomac Science Center in Belmont Bay.
GFWC Woodbridge Woman's Club Commendation
On Tuesday, April 2, 2025, the GFWC Woodbridge Woman's Club received a Commendation from the Prince William County Board of Supervisors for the club's 60 years of continued service with their many community service programs including scholarships, comfort pillows, support to the elementary schools and to seniors at Fellowship House. The resolution presented by Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin (D-Woodbridge) said the club was an "outstanding contributor to the success of Prince William County."
60 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
At the WWC General Meeting on March, 17, 2025, our club celebrated its 60th year anniversary. Several special guests including local Prince William District Supervisors spoke about our club and its contributions to the local community over the years. The Supervisors in attendance were: Chair Deshundra Jefferson:, Margaret Franklin, Woodbridge District, Supervisor Kenny Boddye, Occoquan District, Supervisor Victor Angry, Neabsco District, and PWC School Board Vice-Chair Tracy Blake. Also in attendance was Yvonne Senning, GFWC Northern District President, Karen Attreed, GFWC Woman's Club President of Bel Air and several former WWC Club Presidents (Barbara Walvius, Pat White, Joyce Jolly and Phyllis Zimmerman). The club provided sandwiches and cake for all the attendees and numerous photos were taken.
We had a wonderful time commemorating 60 incredible years of our club's dedicated service to the community. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made this milestone celebration so special.
Monday, February 24th, we all wore red to our general meeting for Heart Health Month! We also welcomed 2 new members, and had a wonderful talk by a Dietitian from Sentara Hospital. Our club member, Binkie, was honored for being a 15 year member of the Club! These are just a few of the highlights!
2024 PHOTO GALLERY
2024 Holiday Luncheon and New Member Initiation
Our club held our Holiday Luncheon/General Meeting at Brittany's Restaurant. The food was delicious. We played Christmas Jeopardy. Then we welcomed two new members to our club with an official initiation ceremony. It was a wonderful way to end our active club year!
Holiday Market
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the Woodbridge Woman's Club participated in the Holiday Market at Woodbridge Senior High School. Our table provided information about our club. We met many people and had numerous inquiries about our community programs and membership. We raffled off a gift basket and the proceeds will go towards our Scholarship Fund. Thank you to all the members that made this event successful and we hope to continue this again next year!
Our club Fundraiser was a success!
On Friday, October 18, 2024, our club sponsored a fundraiser “lunch and a show” at Britanny’s Restaurant in Woodbridge. Our members, potential new members and guests enjoyed a performance of “Julia Child: Queen of Cuisine” by History Alive impersonator Mary Ann Jung. She became Julia Child and started the performance with the famous re-enactment of Julia explaining the types of chickens along with props! She shared many interesting facts about Julia’s life including her career, her marriage and her popularization of French cooking through her books and television show. Mary Ann included audience member participation with the selection of “volunteers” to play the parts of Julia’s husband Paul and her two cookbook colleagues Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle. It was very entertaining with lots of fun facts, laughter and enjoyment by all!!!!
After the performance, a buffet lunch was served and the two wonderful gift baskets (one Vera Bradley themed and one French Cooking themed ) were raffled off to two lucky winners! Total income from ticket sales and raffle baskets was $2625.00. We look forward to sponsoring this type of fundraiser in the future!!
On September 28th, our club delivered various food itemsOn September 28th, our club delivered various food items collected by our club to the Hilda Barg Shelter as part of the GFWC 2024 National Day of Service. We were joined by Margaret Franklin, Woodbridge District Supervisor. Thank you to all the wonderful club members who participated in this event!!
collected by our club to the Hilda Barg Shelter as part of the GFWC 2024 National Day of Service. We were joined by Margaret Franklin, Woodbridge District Supervisor. Thank you to all the wonderful club members who participated in this event!!
Along with many other community agencies, our Club participated in the Prince William County Police Department Fourth Annual Community Fair on Saturday, September 7, 2024. We distributed information and talked to people about our organization and community programs.
The OLD BRIDGE OBSERVER, September 13, 2024
Woman’s Club President, Membership Chair answered questions at Community Fair
Woodbridge Woman’s Club President Lucy Williams and Karen Townsend, Membership Chair, staffed a table and answered questions at the Sept. 7 Prince William County Community Fair sponsored by Prince William County Police. The club’s next fundraiser is a Julia Childs impersonator luncheon on Friday, Oct. 18 at Brittany’s Restaurant in Lake Ridge. Club members are selling raffle tickets for two large gift baskets to raise money for service projects in the community.
For more information, go to http://www.woodbridgewomansclub.org.
TEACHER'S APPRECIATION BREAKFAST
The Teacher Appreciation Breakfast was held at Featherstone Elementary School on Thursday, May 9, 2024 this year. Committee members: Ann Miller, Bette Shanley, Janis White and Joyce Jolly served an array of breakfast treats to 80 staff members. Lucy Williams greeted many familiar faces and served as a hostess. The food was purchased at Costco which resulted in cost savings for this event.
GFWC Northern District Fall Meeting
October 7 was a special day for the women who attended the Fall Meeting of the GFWC Virginia Northern District. The members of the Woodbridge Club were especially proud of its members who had a part in presenting important information to the attendees.
First of all, the District President is one of our members, our own Club President led the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the meeting, our Vice President gave the report of the Standing Rules Committee as its chairman, our Past President was a Teller in charge of collecting and counting the attendees’ votes, and our Communications chair was asked to take photos of the District Meeting.
The interesting topic of the two guest speakers was foster care’s importance, reward and availability.
Seven WWC members enjoyed the meeting and luncheon at Springfield Country Club.
Fellowship House
Five Club members visited Fellowship House on November 30 to join its senior residents for their annual Trim-A-Tree holiday activity. Members enjoyed helping the residents decorate a Christmas tree, sing Christmas carols, and partake in holiday refreshments. It was a special day of fun for the Club's Outreach Community Service Program.
Boxes of Basics
Sarah Tyndall, the Founder & Executive Director of the non-profit company Boxes of Basics was the speaker for our October 16, 2023, General Meeting. She spoke enthusiastically about the significant need for collecting quality new and gently used clothing from the community for children who don’t have decent clothing to wear to school, religious services and recreation activities. Ms. Tyndall asked our club members for their help to, “Give the gift of a seasonal wardrobe to local children in need.” She explained their program collects, sorts and distributes clothing from newborns to age 14 that are presented neatly folded and wrapped in a box like gifts. Boxes of Basics doesn’t accept used underwear, shoes and socks; they must be new items. Members learned this program is now so large that purchasing a warehouse was necessary to carry out its mission efficiently.
Supporting this charitable program is a 2023-4 budgeted Club project, and four members visited its warehouse on November 28 to learn how WWC members could assist this program. They learned volunteers are needed to prepare the individualized boxes with five outfits for each child. When the clothing selections are complete, the box is marked for delivery by gender, age and location for delivery. What the Club members can do is to identify locations for clothing donation boxes beginning in January, and donate new items: clothing and especially new socks, underwear and shoes. Monetary contributions are also accepted on a one-time basis or by becoming a GEM member who gives every month. Please contact a Club member for more information about participating.
GFWC WWC Second Bench Dedication in Occoquan, Virginia
It was another proud day for Woodbridge Woman’s Club members on October 4 in Occoquan, Virginia. It was special because they were dedicating a second bench donated to the City of Occoquan, established in 1804, that is famous for its historic homes, specialty stores and restaurants. Because of their concern about protecting the environment, members collected enough plastic bags to total 500 pounds to be recycled into a charming bench.
Mayor Porta thanked the Club members and expressed his appreciation to them for providing their second bench for River Mill Park and also for the first one at the Occoquan River boat launch area. WWC President acknowledged the mayor’s gratitude and said the Club members are happy to support Occoquan with these benches that make its parks useful for both visitors and local residents.
WWC Environment chairman Kathy McNeely plans to discuss suggestions how members could help to improve our local environment at the October General Meeting. This type of activity could possibly be continued by participating in the activities of “Keep Prince William Beautiful” if members are in favor of this project.
GFWC WWC General Meeting September 18
President Lucy Williams led the Installation Ceremony for new members Jane Loveland and Pamela Montgomery at the Woodbridge Woman's Club September 18 General Meeting. Their sponsors were Nan Wehmeyer and Lucy Williams, respectively. Nan and Karen Townsend shared a short biography to introduce the new members. Welcome, Jane and Pamela!
Service pins were awarded to Marilyn Wempa (5 years), BJ Grey (15 years), Bette Shanley
(5 years), and Phyllis Zimmerman (15 years) as shown on the photo. Janis White (10 years) was not present at the meeting to receive her pin. Although absent, Ann Miller (5 years) received her pin later from her friend Bette Shanley.
Our longest serving member, Kathleen Harding, was also honored with a bouquet of flowers. She will receive her 50-year service pin in March at the Club's 59th-year celebration.
Members also enjoyed an ice cream social after the meeting to mark the beginning of a new Club year. The next general meeting is Monday, October 16, featuring speaker Sarah Tyndall. Her topic is Box of Basics.
A Graceful Tea Party Fit for Royalty
Elegance is the expected standard for a formal ladies’ Tea Party – and that’s what the Woodbridge Woman’s Club members experienced on August 11 at The Things I Love. The floral decorations, professional service, special tea, pastries and delightful surprises resulted in a special event.
To add to the occasion, some members and guests enjoyed wearing colorful hats and fascinators to make this gathering special. The “Welcome to the Garden” sign was one of the first things the ladies saw at the Manassas gift shop as they were ushered to the cozy dining section of the gift shop. The soft green walls were decorated with colorful flowers and pictures of beautiful blooms. This set the relaxing atmosphere where the members and their guests gathered to enjoy socializing. While drinking from pretty China teacups and savoring specialty sandwiches and treats, they read mottos on the walls that encouraged friendship: “share your joy,” “sing your song,” and “love it well.” Each guest received a surprise gift of a silver bangle bracelet as a souvenir.
Servings of fresh Summer Blend tea and food were brought to the tables by two young ladies wearing pretty aprons. The first servings were individual dishes of fresh seasonal fruit, garlic mushroom soup and summer corn salad. Then the highlight of the lunch arrived at each table: a beautifully arranged, tiered centerpiece featuring chicken salad triangles, cucumber sandwiches, mini barbeques, vanilla scones, pineapple rum cupcakes, sea salt caramel brownies, blueberry mousses, and shell sugar cookies. Resisting these delectable creations was a challenge in itself.
Members enjoyed the time to relax between courses by browsing the charming gift shop to consider its delightful wares that begged to be acquired. Members took photographs to remember this day and walked among the tables to chat with friends to share their thoughts of the treats served. It was agreed the elegant Manassas Tea Party was a delightfully elegant experience, and attendees took time to thank the Club member who suggested and arranged the event.
Freaky Friday: A GFWC WWC Musical Comedy Fundraiser
The Woodbridge Woman’s Club partnered with The Little Theatre of Alexandria for a musical comedy fundraising event on June 25. The musical comedy Freaky Friday produced memories of laughter and enjoyment that lasted long after the final curtain call.
Attendees were treated to a combination of professional acting, dynamic dancing, and singing, all orchestrated by a 10-piece musical ensemble. This unique plot centered around a mother and daughter, who, by the magic of a shattered enchanted hourglass, found themselves swapping roles for a day. The decisions of their hilarious and unaccustomed journey unfolded on stage, as they navigated a series of relationship situations that led to unusual situations. These events reminded the audience of the special connections between parents and children.
The laughter and enthusiastic comments that followed the performance showed the success of the Club's choice of Freaky Friday as their fundraising project. The show appealed to both Club members and their guests, creating a very enjoyable evening that exceeded expectations.
During the intermission the President of WWC thanked all Club and theatre participants and announced the winners of the raffle baskets to the delight of two lucky winners.
In a subsequent announcement, the Club proudly reported the fundraiser not only inaugurated LTA’s 90th season but also raised nearly $2,300 from ticket sales and the proceeds of the raffle baskets for community projects. Looking ahead, WWC members have an exciting event to anticipate: the 2024 LTA fundraiser on April 15th, featuring the play "Murder on the Orient Express." The selection of this play was made through an LTA lottery that created something special to look forward to next year. Make sure to mark your calendars for this upcoming fundraising event!
Woodbridge Woman’s Club Picnic in the Park
At the Picnic in the Park on July 10 the Woodbridge Woman’s Club members found enjoyed a cool breeze and the shelter of a white tent pavilion, nestled among the shade trees. The picnic was held at the Prince William County Park in Lake Ridge, which provided the perfect setting for the members to gather and enjoy each other's company during this special event.
To ensure a hassle-free picnic lunch, Panera's boxed lunches were preordered by the members. These delicious lunches came with a variety of sandwiches, each served on special bread, eliminating the need for any members’ preparations. A bag of potato chips added a crunchy touch and a crispy chocolate chip cookie served as a delightful dessert, satisfying everyone's sweet tooth. The Woodbridge Woman's Club provided bottles of water to keep everyone refreshed.
After lunch and visiting time, the WWC president made announcements about upcoming events. Among these happenings, the Club's long-planned musical comedy fundraiser, "Freaky Friday," at the Little Theatre of Alexandria on July 25, was highlighted. Attendees were given details about the two exciting raffle baskets to be featured during the event.
Additionally, the Tea chairperson invited members to make reservations for a Tea activity at “The Things I Love” in Manassas, scheduled for August 11 at 1:00 pm. There was much enthusiasm for this event, promising a fun afternoon for socializing.
GFWC WWC 2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Thanks to a year's worth of fundraising efforts, the Woodbridge Woman's Club was able to provide three $1,500 grants to graduating seniors from local high schools. These grants were aimed at supporting students pursuing different paths after high school. Two grants were dedicated to students pursuing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, while one grant was intended for a student planning to attend college.
The Woodbridge Woman's Club president, Lucy Williams, attended an awards ceremony on May 10, to present the CTE awards to two deserving recipients: Jasmine Howard and Cymone Brundage, both enrolled in the Culinary Program at Potomac High School. The recipients were pleasantly surprised and happy upon receiving the $1,500 awards. Jasmine and Cymone have exciting plans ahead as they will be attending Johnson & Wales University in North Carolina.
Another recipient of the WWC grant was Jocelyn Lizarazu, a senior at Woodbridge High School. Jocelyn discovered that she had won the academic grant during the Awards Program on May 23. She expressed her delight and surprise to President Williams upon receiving the $1,500 award. Jocelyn has decided to major in the Nursing Program at George Mason University.
The Woodbridge Woman's Club would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the corporations, 500 Club members, private donors, and all the members who supported the Club's fundraising activities. It is through their generous contributions and efforts that the Club was able to make these scholarship awards totaling $4,500 possible. Thank you all for your invaluable support!
On May 10th, a special party was held at Featherstone Elementary School to honor the dedicated teachers and staff as part of National Teachers Appreciation Day. Hosted by the GFWC Woodbridge Woman's Club (WWC), this event allowed members the opportunity to express their admiration and gratitude for the exceptional efforts of the schoolteachers and staff.
The morning kicked off with a delightful breakfast spread provided by Panera Bread restaurant, with attendees savoring a variety of breakfast rolls, bagels, coffee, and tea.
The success of the celebration has left the WWC members excited about continuing this tradition in the future. They have made plans to offer a similar event next year, extending the appreciation to a different school within the community. This initiative reflects the commitment of the Woodbridge Woman's Club to various Civic Engagement programs, where they actively support education and contribute to the well-being of the community.
It was a morning filled with gratitude, admiration, and recognition for their exceptional efforts and the positive impact they have on education and the community.
Welcome New Members and A Member Retirement
It was an exciting day for Club members when the GFWC Northern District Membership Chair spoke and six new members were installed at a ceremony during the February 27, 2023, General Meeting. After their sponsors introduced them and read their biographies, they took an oath to serve the Club. WWC Membership Chair presented each with their Club pins, a ceremonial candle, and a rose, the Club's symbol.
In addition, the members enjoyed congratulating our retiring member upon her 17-year membership. WWC Club president said her service was very much appreciated and extended good wishes to her during her retirement at her new residence.
Community Service Pillow Making Project
A group of ten Club members are contributing their sewing talents and time to make heart-shaped pillows for surgery and cancer patients at Sentara Hospital and doctors’ offices. Their goal is to donate them to surgery patients who will get relief from acute pain by holding the pillows to their chests during coughing or sneezing. They are proud to have donated hundreds of pillows over seven years.
Along with spending a pleasant time chatting, they cut out material in a heart-shaped pattern, attach two ribbons that allow patients to carry the pillows over their shoulders to keep the pillows within reach, select two matching patterns, sew the two pieces together on a sewing machine (at a member’s home), stuff the pillow, hand stitch the opening, and attach a WWC label. About ten pillows are completed each month.
Members are welcome to join by asking for information at the General Meetings. The group meets at the Century Building, in the Sentara Hospital complex on Obitz Boulevard twice a month for two hours on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30.
Congratulations, Pillow Makers, for providing a wonderful service to the patient community!
Dedication of the Bench to City of Occoquan, July 2022
It was a proud day when the bench, made of 500 pounds of recycled plastic grocery bags collected by WWC members, was dedicated to the City of Occoquan. The ceremony included Mayor Porta of Occoquan and Merial Currer of Patriot Scuba.
Besides the club members’ celebration photo, two members are honored here relaxing on the bench. They were the chairs that promoted and recorded the donations for Patriot Scuba to process the bags for three years.
The bench is located on Mill Street under the highway bridge near the Bar J Restaurant, next to the Kayak and Canoe Launch wharf by the river’s shore. This project is still current. For more information, inquire at the Club's General Meetings.
WWC Holiday Celebration
The Club members met for a Holiday Celebration with a luncheon at The Acclaim in Belmont Bay. This is a reminder of a fun time together for the 24 members present on December 12, 2022.