SOMERS — Since 1921, the Somers Women’s Club has performed countless acts of service to its community, from small or symbolic acts to donations and events that have a further reach.
“Community Service is at the heart of our club,” said Mary Sersanti, president of the Somers Women’s Club. “The Somers Women’s Club is always looking for new ways to help the community and to socialize with each other. Also, we are always happy to welcome new members and new ideas.”
The club provides scholarships and works on various town projects, along with specific annual events such as Wreaths Across America, which places wreaths on veterans’ graves, the network against domestic violence and fill a cruiser event.
“Every year since 1957 the SWC has awarded scholarships to Somers students headed to college. This year two $1,000 scholarships were awarded,” noted Sersanti. “The club has also made donations through the years to Johnson Memorial Hospital, Somers Senior Center, Somers Public Library, Town Hall, Somers High School and Somers Historical Society for various improvements. Our most recent donation was to the Caregivers of Soapstone Mountain recreation area.”
The organization also works with local events for national movements, such as the Somers National Night Out on Aug. 6 where the club will give away gently used children’s books and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs National Day of Service on Sept. 28 where the club will hold a food drive in support of Champs Place.
As part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the SWC has spent more than a century simply trying to help the Somers community. In 1921, the club began serving hot soup to school children, a project that continued until 1939 when the PTA and board of education took over the lunch program.
“During the 1920s, the club raised money for the Veterans Memorial located near Town Hall,” explained Sersanti. “From 1930 to 1938, the club raised money to help purchase the first fire truck for Somers.”
The club collects gently used children’s books to donate to schools and community organizations for children and for little free libraries in the area.
It will also give away some of the books at the Somers Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 7.
Sersanti said that the best way to learn more about the club is to attend a meeting.
The September meeting will be on Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Somers Congregational Church. The guest speaker will be Renee Coro, a musical therapist and the owner of Harmonious Happenings.
Members of the public are invited to attend and members do not need to be Somers residents.
Anyone seeking information about the club can also seek out one of the members at any of its upcoming events, visit the organization’s Facebook page or reach out to Sersanti by phone at 860-698-9383.
