For more than 80 years, the Women’s Club of North Hudson, a chapter of the oldest and largest women’s volunteer organization in the world, has been involved in a series of charitable events, including raising money for scholarships, helping battered women and abused children, and dealing with social and safety issues.
It’s an organization with deep roots in caring for the needy. It’s also a traditional group that has many members who have been involved for more than a half-century, like Fran Jones of North Bergen.
"I think belonging to the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs helps to keep us going," says Ruth Elsasser of Weehawken, a long-time member who now serves as the club’s co-president. "When we all contribute, then we’re all able to make a difference. The programs that the state federation offers are interesting and there’s something for everybody, so that keeps us going as well."
What also helps the local chapter is the feeling of camaraderie that comes with the holiday. That feeling was exuded last week when the members gathered together to make canisters of homemade cookies and candy to be delivered to nursing homes, battered women’s shelters and shut-ins throughout the area in time for the holiday season.
According to Elsasser, some of the 219 canisters that were compiled by the Women’s Club of North Hudson will go to the Palisade Nursing Home in Guttenberg, a battered women’s shelter in Jersey City and more than 50 people who will be alone for the holidays.
"We’ve exceeded all other years with the 219," Elsasser said. "The Federation has made the cookie canisters for many years and it has remained a part of the tradition. It’s a nationwide event, but we have fun here at home, getting together to put the canisters together. It’s fun to do and we feel good doing it."
Marie Alberian of Weehawken, the group’s other co-president, agreed.
"We’re just part of a group that makes 18,000 jars statewide," Alberian said. "It’s a good way to contribute to the community and to the area. And we have a great time doing it, singing carols and telling stories. It’s a very warm association."
The local group also collected a host of toys that will be distributed to needy children through the North Hudson Community Action Corporation.
"I think we need to do something to brighten Christmas for those youngsters," Elsasser said. "We’ve done that for years and the tradition lives on."
Over the years, the Women’s Club has been involved in countless community improvement projects. Its fund-raising efforts helped to build Douglass College on the campus of Rutgers University many years ago.
"We always want to tell the public that we are not political," Alberian said. "But we’re very active in the community."
However, it’s always hard to find dedicated members who are willing to give of their time. The majority of the club is comprised of older women who have been longtime members.
"A lot of women these days have busy lives and it’s tough to keep it going by getting new members," Elsasser said. "But we’ve been able to bring in new members recently and that’s been a help. We want to keep the tradition alive."
"Women who work and have families don’t have a lot of spare time to donate to our group," Alberian said. "Once women get involved, they’ll see we’re worthwhile."
The needy people who will receive cookies, candy and toys for the holidays can attest to that.