Regional & Local Support for Domestic Violence & Abuse

October 6, 2025

Regional & Local Support for Domestic Violence &
Abuse

The 2025 GFWC Mid-Atlantic Region Conference (MARS) was held at the Atlantic Sands Hotel September 25-28, 2025 in Rehoboth Beach, DE and hosted by Marcia Wilson, MARS President, from GFWC Delaware State. The Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) is made up of women’s clubs from
Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. This annual event aims to
foster community improvement through volunteer service. Attendees focused on workshops, networking opportunities and special events related to GFWC programs and projects. This year’s special guests included GFWC International President Suellen Brazil, GFWC NYS President Jane Lemak and GFWC International President-Elect Wendy Carriker to lend support to their special
project Domestic Violence & Abuse.

For the 3rd consecutive year, the 2025 GFWC International Day of Service (GFWC IDS) formerly the GFWC National Day of Service, was held on Saturday, September 27, to help end domestic and sexual violence across the US and internationally. Over 1,000 groups registered to make a tangible impact. A total of $5,000 was collected in goods, including toiletries, gas gift cards and cash from the Mid-Atlantic area women’s clubs. In turn, these were packed up and donated to the “What Is Your Voice” organization to be distributed to men, women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. Members of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale (WCF) who attended MARS were: Lynda
Leone, President, Dolores Cianciabella, Tina Diamond, and Linda Kreussling. They attended several
workshops including one where they painted tote bag covers to be donated to Alzheimer residents.

At the first meeting of the WCF new club year on October 2, MARS attendees reported back to the general membership the many successes of not only the MARS Conference but also the International Day of Service. The meeting was hosted by Luncheon Committee Chair Anna Ievolo, along with members of her committee Lynn Connolly, Dolores Cianciabella, Angie Dunlop, and Judy Vazquez. An assortment of desserts, coffee, tea and beautiful fall decorations captured the essence of the autumn season. A motion to support a resolution for the development of a Field Diagnostic Marijuana Driving Test was approved and will be sent to the GFWC NYS Resolutions Committee which will consider and present the resolution to the Executive Board and the NYS
Convention for approval.

The Women’s Club of Farmingdale, a local 501-C-3 non-profit organization, is always
interested in welcoming new members. For more information, please email: lyndaleone@gmail.com or jude523@aol.com. #IAMGFWC

submitted by Maria Ortolani, Publicity Chair