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.  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. Every spring we compete at the Palisades District Performing Arts Day.  The district winner performs in Atlantic City at the NJSFWC Annual Convention in May.  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

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. We run a monthly Charity Movie Night, collecting for small local organizations at a popular night out activity for members and the community. One of our most important programs is to host our Peace, Love, and HAPPY Hour before every general meeting to give members a chance to nourish friendships and make new connections. Ride Share Buddies and WhatsApp real time communication are also programs that we run to make sure all members feel included.

Arts & Culture

Craft sessions are held monthly at our clubhouse. Club members are encouraged to socialize while we create both take-home arts and craft projects and items that become part of our community outreach donations. Past projects include painted Kindness Rocks, Thanksgiving trays to accompany holiday meal donations, Door Wreaths for local nursing home residents, and hand-crafted greeting cards for residents of the NJ Veterans Home.  We memorialize the history of the club by scrapbooking. All materials and instruction 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, a state park historical tour and a tour of the Fritz Behnke Historical Museum in Paramus.

Environment

This department combines a love of gardening and promotes environmental appreciation and protection. We participate in the annual Earth Day Celebration and Town Wide Clean-Up in Paramus run by the Paramus Environmental Commission. We coordinate member events and trips that support our goal to strengthen our community and educate members about the environment. The Meadowlands ECO Cruise, garden and nature preserve educational trips and Plant Swaps are just a few of the programs we sponsor. We decorate the interior and exterior of our clubhouse seasonally.

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.