The Millersville Woman's Club will host its annual October Card and Game Party on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and attendees should bring their own cards and games. There will be door prizes, chances to win prizes, desserts, and beverages. The desserts will include an assortment of cakes, pies, cookies, and cupcakes. Club members will make different kinds of bread. "Because the party is in October, a lot of breads are pumpkin," Millersville Woman's Club publicity chair Pat Seibert said. "We decorate the breads with ribbon and other fall decorations. These breads are put on each table as a centerpiece, and someone from each table can take them home with them."

For tickets, information, and reservations, call 717-397-7965.

"I think the main reason for coming to this event is community," Seibert said. "When we are all together in the gym at St. Philip the Apostle Church, it is wonderful to see so many people you know. Also, there are many people who attend every year, in addition to club members. It is always wonderful to see and hear everyone enjoying themselves as they play different card and board games as well as mahjong."

"The business community supports our club by donating many items that we use in our (prizes), which everyone enjoys participating in," Seibert continued. "Our members donate door prizes, which each person attending gets to choose one to take home with them. Then from the money we make at this fundraiser, we can give back to our community by supporting local groups that are near and dear to us."

Seibert added that the club's most important activities are civic and philanthropic projects. "The club has supported the Millersville Borough Community Park by buying equipment, donating funds, and planting flowers and memorial trees," she said. "The club helped the Millersville Lions Club establish the community swimming pool and provided funds for equipment for the Millersville Fire Company." The Millersville Woman's Club has also organized picnics and Halloween and Christmas parties for the children of the former Mennonite Children's Home.

The club's current projects include contributions to a local Girl Scout Troop, Blue Rock Fire Rescue, Millersville Area Historical Society, St. Paul Senior Citizen projects, and Loft Community Partnership. "We maintain one of the gardens at the Millersville Borough Freedom Park," said Seibert. "Parties are planned for local retirement homes, as well as birthday, Valentine, and Christmas cards for people staying there. The club has contributed to a plaque honoring the late John Herr, an outstanding contributor to our community and whose family founded the John Herr's Village Market."

Seibert stated that the club's focus is on education. Every year it funds scholarships and achievement awards for seniors at Penn Manor High School and the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center. The club also sponsors a Penn Manor sophomore to attend the HOBY Leadership Seminar. The club purchases books for several elementary schools within the district. 

Seibert said that in 1957, the only women's groups in the borough of Millersville were affiliated with churches. Four local women felt the need for a civic organization that would be open to all women in the Millersville and surrounding areas. As a result, the four women established the Millersville Woman's Club, which became a member of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs in 1958.