They’re perhaps most known for their bright pink shirts and massive annual craft show, but the ladies of the Cy-Fair Women’s Club are about so much more. The group, celebrating their 40th anniversary, began in 1984 as the Copperfield Women’s Club to promote civic causes. Since then they’ve grown into a thriving non-profit with members from all over Cypress who have fundraised thousands of dollars to help every aspect of the community. From sewing pillows for cancer patients to funding new computers for disadvantaged children, the ladies are committed to bettering the lives of those in need, while providing a space for women to connect.
“Cypress is a wonderful community,” says Sharon James, CWC president. “The club is an opportunity for ladies to get together, serve our community and then serve each other too.”
One of the group’s most notable service projects is this month’s Shop ‘til You Drop craft fair hosted on Sept. 10 at the Berry Center. Established in the late 90s, the colossal craft exhibit regularly draws more than 5,500 visitors for a handmade holiday shopping experience that’s hard to beat. The event and parking are completely free, and shoppers can peruse more than 250 vendors selling everything from handmade soap to elegant jewelry. Shop ‘til You Drop is the club’s primary fundraiser, with proceeds going to fund dozens of local scholarships and non-profit initiatives. Since 2011, CWC has awarded about $307,000 in scholarships and about $247,000 to area non-profits.
Each year, CFWC members vote to fund a charity through their Adopt a Cause initiative. This year’s recipient was The Mission of Yahweh, a private non-profit shelter for abused women and children. The home was awarded $10,000 to purchase a commercial ice machine for the cafeteria and outfit the children’s computer lab with new computers.
“The Cy-Fair Women’s Club does so much good in our community,” says Tammie Jeffers, Mission of Yahweh’s development director. “It’s such a rewarding thing to be awarded a grant from them.”
The CWC’s mission is to serve the community, but also provide a place where women can create lasting friendships. Members spend monthly meetings completing mini-services projects such as sewing or gathering food donations. One of the group’s longest-running service projects is sewing heart-shaped pillows for hospital patients. The ladies began crafting the pillows after a member was diagnosed with breast cancer about 15 years ago. Some women slice the fabric while others stuff the pillows and those who have sewing machines stitch things together. The finished pillows are then delivered to the HCA North Cypress campus or to elderly nursing home residents.
“It always makes you feel better when you’re doing something for someone else,” Sharon says. “And I think that’s the heart of the women in the club.”
“The club is an opportunity for ladies to get together, serve our community and then serve each other too.”