The Honey Brook Women's Club recently distributed donations to local community service organizations. This year, thanks to successful fundraisers and financial support from the public, the club presented each recipient with $500, an increase from last year's $100 donations.

During a meeting held on May 8 at Honey Brook Presbyterian Church, the gifts were presented to the Honey Brook Community Library, represented by library director Jennifer Spade; the Honey Brook Food Pantry, represented by food pantry volunteers Becky Zeeger and Bridget Lillis; the Honey Brook Fire Company, represented by fire company president Mike Hartz; Elverson-Honey Brook Area EMS, represented by Victoria Motter; and the Honey Brook Youth Center and Steeple to People Ministries, represented by Kyle Esh.

After the check presentation, each of the recipients was given an opportunity to speak about his or her nonprofit, including the impact of the organization in the community.

The club holds the check presentation ceremony annually. "We had some money left over from last year and we also had a good year," noted club president Lynn Klumpp, referring to the increase in grant monies. She added that this year's scholarship to a Twin Valley High School graduating senior will also increase from $500 to $1,000.

Club fundraisers included selling food at the Harmony Day celebration last September and the annual tea held at the church. This year's event was a St. Patrick's Day tea on March 17.

During the Honey Brook Lions Club Breakfast with Santa, Honey Brook Women's Club members staff a children's Christmas store, which offers affordable shopping for youngsters who want to buy gifts for their parents and other family members.

"It's reasonably priced for the kids to shop; they can shop for a couple of dollars," said Klumpp. "The kids pick out the gifts out, and we wrap them." She added that visiting families also provided donations to the women's club after shopping.

Community service projects held during the year include providing snacks for children who participate in the Honey Brook Lions Club Halloween Parade and distributing homemade Christmas cookies to homebound individuals during the month of December. The club also provides meals to the Honey Brook Youth Center and donated a gift basket to the Honey Brook Community Library Beef and Brew event on April 12. "We attend that event as a club to support the library," Klumpp added.

Klumpp pointed out that the annual grant program has grown as community needs increase. "We have been (donating) for years. It used to be just the library, the fire company and the ambulance and Steeple to People. As the food bank came along, we added that and then the youth center," she noted.

Klumpp added that attendees to the check distribution enjoy learning about the activities of other local nonprofit organizations. For example, the library has just begun an expansion project, and the fire company is looking to purchase a ladder truck. "Everyone gets to see the people behind the organizations," Klumpp stated. "It's interesting to see."

The Honey Brook Women's Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. from September through June, with the last meeting being an installation dinner for new club officers.

Club members pay annual dues to participate. New members are welcome. For more information, women may join the "Honey Brook Women's Club" group on Facebook.