Departments
Education & Libraries
The department meets monthly at our clubhouse to discuss selected books in a “book club” format. We take part in Paramus Library events, donate books to town elementary schools and run book collection drives for school districts in local underserved communities.
Arts Performing – Music
This department offers an opportunity for those who love to dance, sing or perform in any way. We are a unique resident troupe known as the Estelle Reo Dancers. The department members not only perform for our club but also nursing homes, hospitals, and NJ Federation events. Every December we put on a holiday show. Rehearsals occur weekly up until the performance. Meetings are held prior to each season to discuss ideas for the upcoming show. Dance instruction as well as accompaniment is provided by members as are costumes, music and stage decor.
Health & Wellness
Meetings are held monthly at our clubhouse. This department focuses on the health and wellness of our members and the community. Members participate in group walks on the Saddle River pathway providing both exercise and socialization. A healthy recipe sharing program was recently started to encourage members to interact and connect through their love of cooking. We coordinate with the Civic Engagement and Outreach department on service projects for the Paramus Community Pantry to support local families in need, assembly of “Blizzard Bags” for homebound residents and monthly donations of food and personal care items. In the spring, Easter baskets are put together with items provided by our membership and donated to The Center for Hope & Safety.
Arts & Culture
Meetings are held monthly at our clubhouse. The department members create both take-home arts and craft projects, as well as items that become part of our community outreach donations. Past projects include painted Kindness Rocks, Thanksgiving trays to accompany holiday meal donations and hand-crafted greeting cards for residents of the NJ Veterans Home. We memorialize the history of the club by scrapbooking. All materials are provided by the department. Members are encouraged to enter their creations in the Palisades District Arts Achievement Day contest held each spring. Holiday decorations for the clubhouse are also crafted by this department. The department also arranges various cultural experiences throughout the year. Recent trips include a local art exhibit and state park historical tour.
Environment
Meetings are held monthly at our clubhouse. This department combines a love of gardening and promotes environmental appreciation and protection. We participate in the annual Earth Day Celebration and Pride In Paramus clean up events run by the Paramus Environmental Commission. Members have attended a recycling workshop offered by our Paramus DPW, created succulent gardens, and took an ECO tour boat trip down the Hackensack River learning about how the wetlands are being preserved. A beautification of the clubhouse landscaping was recently completed in conjunction with a Paramus Eagle Scout. Maintenance of the flower beds and seasonal decorations for the interior and front porch of our clubhouse are done by group members.
Civic Engagement & Outreach
This department meets monthly at our clubhouse. The department arranges for monthly and holiday food donations to the Paramus Community Food Pantry. Every year we coordinate a donation of new children’s winter items for children in low income areas. With the assistance of a club volunteer we participate in the NJSFWC Operation Holiday Stocking. This year, in coordination with club and community members we collected donations and filled 144 holiday stockings that were shipped to servicemen and women overseas through Operation Yellow Ribbon and local veterans homes through Operation NJ Cares.