In 1978, a group of eight Vinings women met to organize the Vinings Village Woman's Club. And so began a tradition of community service and neighborhood friendships. Mary Ann Sikes, one of the original founders, shared that hard work mixed with fun has kept the group thriving 46 years later!
With members having a heart for community service, the VVWC Board meets every summer to plan projects for the year. First Responder Appreciation is always on the list. Club volunteers form small groups to deliver meals, snacks, and gift cards to the police precinct and two fire departments that serve Vinings. With gift boxes in hand, club volunteers visit each station once a quarter to thank first responders for their service to the community. Last spring, a team of firefighters made a surprise visit to a club meeting to thank members for their donation to the family of a sick fireman.
The club enjoys a ten-year partnership with the local elementary school. Members love loading up supplies and visiting classrooms to help students make cards for troops deployed over the holidays. Volunteers say, "To see a student write, 'We know your own kids are proud of you, because WE sure are!' is always heartwarming." Judging the annual school Science Fair is a favorite club project. Members are always impressed with the intelligence and enthusiasm of local young scientists and the hard work of their science teachers. During the pandemic, VVWC purchased iPads to help students work from home. Those devices are still in use today.
Annually, the club plans a project for a local shelter that provides safety to abused mothers and their children. Last year, members designed and furnished a Calming Room for new arrivals, day or night, complete with comfortable furniture, warm blankets, and a refrigerator stocked with juice boxes. This year, Birthday Party Bags assembled by the members will provide instant parties for sheltered children. Each bag will contain party favors, paper goods, and a gift card for a birthday cake.
Was hard work mentioned? Hats off to Beautification Chairmen over the years who commissioned and installed the three original VININGS VILLAGE signs at the entrances to the village. They also cleared and landscaped the Paces Ferry right-of-way at the entrance from the river, which the club maintains to this day.
The club bestows the "Vinings Treasure Award" to a Vinings resident who exemplifies community service. In 2022, the club celebrated Joseph Meeks, founding director of the Kennesaw State University College of the Arts. George McKerrow, philanthropist and owner of Canoe Restaurant was the 2023 recipient. This year, Alana Shepherd, Co-Founder with her family of the world-renowned Shepherd Spinal Center, was honored, and members were given an in-person narrated virtual tour of the center.
A favorite annual project is making lap blankets specifically designed for patients in wheelchairs. This hands-on project brings friends together to cut, tie, and, of course, chat. For the second consecutive year, the blankets will go to the Shepherd Spinal Center as Valentine's Day presents.
While members enjoy the fellowship of in-person, hands-on projects, there are times when a monetary contribution better serves the organization's needs. Over the years, VVWC has made donations to the Vinings Public Library and the Vinings Historic Preservation Society. The club also helped Vinings United Methodist Church purchase additional seating for meeting rooms, which it shares with the public.
Forty-six years is a long time to keep a ladies’ neighborhood club running! This group is very proud of its long tradition and plans to keep it going. This hard-working, fun-loving group of ladies of all ages looks forward to each meeting and each upcoming project. Nothing is better than seeing old friends while making new ones along the way!