November means pumpkins, delicious North Carolina apples, mums, trips to the mountains, fire pits with family and friends, a slight nip to the morning air and the beginning of the Holiday Season.
For GFWC it means an emphasis on Civic Engagement and Outreach, Education & Libraries, Environment, and Health & Wellness. These Community Service Programs are the focus of our GFWC-NC fall meeting break-out sessions, which begin today in Asheville. We will offer hands-on projects to support veterans, including homeless and women veterans, teachers and students, recycling ideas to preserve the environment, and information on mental health.
Veteran’s Day is November 11th. It is an opportunity to express our gratitude to all who have served and are serving in our armed services. Our focus in Civic Engagement & Outreach this administration is to support and aid women veterans. The sacrifices these individuals make are truly priceless and immeasurable. We continually enjoy the countless freedoms they have afforded us. Every Day!
History buffs will know that November 11, 1918, is referred to as the end of “the war to end all wars.” World War I officially ended in June 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. However, fighting ended seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In 1938, November 11th became a legal holiday.
American Education Week is November 15th to 19th. We celebrate National Educational Support Professionals Day each year on the Wednesday during American Education Week, which is November 17th this year. The National Education Association Representative Assembly established this day to honor the education support professionals who work for public schools’ well-being. They play a key role in forming a healthy community as they help students and teachers. It is an opportunity to support bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, school librarians and administrative staff. November is also National Family Literacy Month.
America Recycles Day is November 15th annually. It is time to repurpose, refuse and reuse. Simple, done in a day projects on November 15th are a fantastic way to raise awareness about the importance of conservation in your local community. Also, inviting speakers to meetings is a way to educate fellow clubwomen and encourage innovative ideas to improve the environment. Contact representatives from local landfills or recycle centers, local animal shelters or zoos, thrift shops to encourage reusing items, or local farmers markets.
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness and American Diabetes months are recognized in November. International Survivors of Suicide Day is November 20th. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is promoting walks for mental health awareness, which is the Health & Wellness challenge project, throughout November. Be sure to visit their site to find out more about walks near you.
And November 25th is National Family Health History Day (always Thanksgiving Day). A day for family, friends, giving, and healthy celebrations!
Happy Thanksgiving from our GFWC-NC Family to yours!
Karen & Pam
Karen Throckmorton, GFWC-NC First Vice President
Pam Mediano, GFWC-NC Dean of Junior Community Service Programs