New Berlin Civic Organization Uses Creativity Amid Pandemic

NEW BERLIN, WI—A New Berlin organization has to think creatively to continue fundraising efforts during the pandemic.

The New Berlin Junior Woman’s Club is a civic service organization that fosters volunteerism among women in the city. Members gather together and pool their efforts to provide community service, fundraising and social outings to the local area.

Jamie Rodgers, Fundraiser Chair has been a member of the NBJWC since 2007. She told Patch it provides a wonderful opportunity for women who would otherwise not know each other to work together for common causes.

"It's a really good mixture of women from all over New Berlin who do very good work," Rodgers said.

The organization has over 50 members "pre-coronavirus" but Rodgers said meeting turnout has decreased.

Rodgers said the pandemic has also caused the group to do meetings on Zoom. Despite the pandemic, they are always looking for new members.

Rodgers told Patch the organization has thought of creative ways to fundraise during the pandemic. The Fall Harvest Art and Craft Fair was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The organization is selling chili and other goodies at 10 a.m. on Saturday during the New Berlin Farmer's Market on National Ave. and Coffee Rd.

"We will be serving our famous chili hot or cold in containers to take home for your family," she said.

The chili recipe has been handed down in the organization for years and Rodgers said it sells very well. There will be toppings such as sour cream and cheese available.

Also available are hot chocolate and delicious bakery items such as cookies, pie, bread, and cake. Rodgers told Patch there is "an incredible amount of talent" on the NBJWC.

"I'm not one of the talented bakers but some of these women are so amazing at what they can make," she said.

Rodgers said members have been willing to take advantage of opportunities that have come up to raise money for the community. Over the summer some members were able to help sell cream puffs during the State Fair Food Drive-thru and also during the pumpkin spice cream puff sale in early October.

Rodgers added the NBJWC appreciates the support "so we can continue to provide funds back to the many community programs who benefit from our fundraising."

More on NBJWC

The organization focuses on community service through events such as the Easter egg hunt which collects food for the New Berlin Food Pantry. Members also organize the 4th of July mini-parade for kids to decorate their bikes and give out goodie bags.

The other focus is on fundraising. Rodgers told Patch in a normal year, the organization holds events as the Formalwear Pop-up Boutique which is held in January.

They set up dressing rooms for people to try on gently used prom dresses and other formal dresses. People can come in and shop for normally expensive dresses at a much lower price. Rodgers described it as a "win-win-win" situation. The owner of the dress gets some money back on the dress, shoppers can find good deals and the organization can give back to the community, according to Rodgers.

"That has been a different and fun idea," she said.

Through the NBJWC most notable fundraisers NBJWC raised more than $15,000 annually to give back to the community.

Other fundraising events have been impacted by the pandemic.

Another fundraising event is the annual hanging plant sale which was canceled.

Rodgers said a challenge has been how the organization fits in with "the state's rules." She said it wasn't clear if they could sell plants or not. They had to cancel the plant sale but it turned out they could sell the plants last May.

"We didn't have a choice, it takes so long to plan these events. It has been tricky since we are not a business but a civic organization," Rodgers said.

To learn more about NBJWC, visit the organization's website.