2009 Woman’s Club Kaffee Klatch Tuesday

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, will find the ladies of the Hannibal Woman’s Club flocking to their annual Kaffee Klatsch.  This much-anticipated event has been around for more than 30 years and is designated as the club’s major “FUNdraiser” for Missouri Girls Town. This year Mrs. Dian Volkmer will open her home to club members and their invited guests for a lively morning of good socializing and important networking. It also provides an opportunity for the group to celebrate over 100 years of federated service to community and state with informational displays, pamphlets and other handouts.
The fun begins at 10 a.m. and will conclude around noon. The club’s Home Life Committee, chaired by Mrs. Don Harvey, will provide a variety of tasty finger foods, coffee and tea for those attending. Arrangements have been made for the Trolley to pick up those who park along Country Club Drive to be dropped off at Mrs. Volkmer’s house to avoid traffic congestion and delays.
Designated as a benefit for the important needs of Girls Town, the coffee allows Woman’s Club members to open their hearts and checkbooks in support of this worthwhile cause.  The GFWC of Hannibal has devoted its collective time, energy and money to Missouri Girls Town since the official  founding in 1953.  The Federated Woman’s Club of Missouri saw a great need for a residential treatment facility to offer a safe haven for girls aged 8-21 who have been physically abused or severely neglected. Their annual budget is well over $2.2 million. Operating capital is raised through a combination of state child care fees, Medicaid reimbursements, interest/dividends from endowments, USDA food rebates and private charitable donations.  The facility is run very efficiently in this fashion, but in order to provide a brighter Christmas for the 50 or so fragile and needy young clients, the budget can be stretched to the max.  Each girl is encouraged to make a “Wish List” for the holiday, and the staff at Girl’s Town strives very hard to make their wishes a reality. 
This year, clubs around the state have been given the valuable opportunity to adopt a young lady for Christmas. A mere $100 will help to provide a girl with some of the very special “wishes” that are on her list.  These at-risk clients, who have suffered much trauma and deprivation in their young lives, are sometimes very hesitant in “wishing” for anything. Small things like CD’s, pajamas, socks, make-up, books, school supplies, or jewelry can help to make their young lives more complete.
The donations collected at the Hannibal Kaffee Klatsch have been pledged toward “Adopting Girls for the Holidays.” Monetary donations from the opening club luncheon have already totaled enough to adopt two girls, and the goal is to at least double that number.  The women of the Hannibal Woman’s Club have shown their generosity and compassion for Girls Town for many years, and this year should be no exception.