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 Effingham Women of Today Participates in Community Projects 

Published on November 6, 2025 10:28 am
Last Updated on November 6, 2025 10:29 am

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LEFT TO RIGHT: MARY JANE KOESTER, BARB TULL, DONNA ZERRUSEN, PAT COPPLE, BECKY BROWN AND EDEN’S GLORY’S ANNIE SCHOMAKER
The GFWC Illinois Effingham Women of Today observed the GFWC International Day of Service, the theme of which was United We Stand to End Domestic Abuse. The speaker at the group’s October meeting was Annie Schomaker, co-founder of Eden’s Glory, who spoke of its residence for female victims of human trafficking. Eden’s Glory provides up to two years of free housing, therapy, counseling, learning life skills and medical/dental assistance. The organization has residences in 5 states and has trained over 25,000, including law enforcement personnel. Also on hand were Ann Schultz-Deters and Norma Lansing, board members of the local I57/70 Task Force on human trafficking .  Club members donated several items to Eden’s Glory, such as toilet tissue, kitchen/cleaning supplies and snacks for the residents.

Recent community projects the Effingham Women of Today participated in also included delivering Meals on Wheels in September and October, as well as participating in packing nights for Blessings in a Back Pack.  In October and November, over 1600 bags were packed by Blessings to send home with kids who may have little or no food over the weekends between being able to get meals at school. In addition, over 30 stuffed animals and hand puppets were donated to the Crisis Nursery of Effingham County to be given to children in that organization’s care.

The GFWC Illinois Effingham Women of Today members are gearing up to host the GFWC Illinois District 23 Fall Meeting in Effingham in November, where State and District officers will be in attendance, in addition to members of the district and local clubs.

The GFWC Illinois Effingham of Today is the local affiliate of the state and national Federation of Women’s Clubs. Interested persons who wish to get involved in a variety of projects, including Blessings in a Back Pack, Meals on Wheels, scholarships and various community projects are encouraged to contact Club President Donna Zerrusen at 217-821-3224, Vice President Becky Brown at 217-821-6780 or any member of the club for an informational brochure. Meetings are usually held monthly on the first Thursday at noon.