We wanted to share some really good news with all of you. This weekend, we attended the State Convention in Long Branch, NJ, and walked away with some great award recognition. They are as follows:

Best Work in Special Project-Advocates for Children-3rd Place
Best Work in International Outreach-1st Place
Best Work in Special State Project-Gilda's Club/The Wellness Community-1st Place; and best of all.....

Diamond Dozen!

The Diamond Dozen is awarded to only 12 clubs in the state for
Outstanding Community Service and Volunteerism and we were one of them!

Excellent job, Ladies! We should all be proud of the work that we did in 2010-2011. Additionally, our club was recognized for celebrating its 85th Anniversary this year!  We are all part of this tremendous history and have an opportunity to continue the work of our founding members.

These accomplishments truly reflect our motto: "Joy in Service-Pride in Achievement". Congratulations, Ladies! This could not have been possible without each and every one of you!

In Junior Spirit,
Joanna and Adele
Add Comment
 
 
The Junior Woman’s Club of Verona would like to thank everyone who came to our annual Bunny Brunch on April 16, 2011.  It was great to see families coming together to eat breakfast and meet the Easter Bunny.  The money raised from this event benefits our Adopt-a-Family program, which helps families in town who are in need. 

This event would not have been possible without the support of some of our local businesses, including Bagelwich, Dunkin Donuts of Cedar Grove, Dunkin Donuts of West Orange, Starbucks in Montclair, Jonathan’s Balloons, Guerilla Fitness, Pals Cabin, Main Street Cottage, Pleasantdale Nurseries, Bromilow’s Chocolates, and Jay’s Shoe Box.  A big thank you goes out to Joann Theobald and the Juniorettes for doing a great job with the kids’ crafts and for creating the wonderful signs for this event.


Finally we would like to thank Superintendent Charles Sampson, who allowed us to use the high school cafeteria for this event, and Anthony Carsillo for all of his help before, during and after the event.   

Thanks again to everyone who supported our event!
Meghan Walsh
Bunny Brunch Chair



Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Newly installed members Laura Fisher (third from left), Dawn Park (middle) and Laura Brutman (third from right) are welcomed into the Verona Junior Women’s Club by Co-President Joanna Breitenbach (left), 3rd Vice President Melissa Symczak (second from left), Co-President Lisa Golebieski (second from right) and 3rd Vice President Doreen Arminio (right). Not pictured are new members Daniela Morano and Donna Wisniewski.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
The 2011-2012 executive board of the Verona Junior Women’s Club consists of (seated, from left to right) Joanna Breitenbach and Adele Spong, Co-Presidents; (second row, from left to right) Jennifer Critchley, Federation Secretary; Nanci Shorter, Corresponding Secretary; Caroline Zayas, Recording Secretary; Robin Wallace, 3rd Vice President; Susan Fenker-Warner, 3rd Vice President; Meghan Walsh, 2nd Vice President; Kristen Donohue, 2nd Vice President; and Doreen Arminio, 1st Vice President. Not pictured is Kimberly Manis, Treasurer.

Add Comment
 
 
On behalf of the Verona Junior Women’s Club, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for its support of our recent Casino Night event. Even in this difficult economic climate, many local businesses, organizations and individuals made significant contributions to help ensure the fundraiser’s success.

Nearly 200 people attended Casino Night, during which they won tickets instead of money, and then used their winnings to enter raffles for prizes of their choice. We would like to thank the attendees for their support and our donors for providing such wonderful prizes. We also want to thank the area restaurants that donated food for the event’s fabulous buffet dinner.

Because of the incredible generosity of local merchants and other groups, as well as the enthusiastic response from our community, we will be able to continue our work assisting families in need, supporting our first responders, awarding scholarships to our students, caring for our senior citizens, filling gaps in our school budget with grants and supplies, and supporting a variety of local, national and international humanitarian organizations.

We are very grateful to be part of a town that is so supportive of our efforts.

Jennifer Critchley
Sarah Latson
Robin Wallace
Co-Chairs, Verona Junior Women’s Club Casino Night Committee

Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Nearly 50 fourth and fifth grade students from Verona schools braved the cold and rainy February morning to participate in this year’s Spelling Bee.  The event was judged by Teena Schwartz, Mayor of Verona; Jeff Monacelli, Principal of Forest Avenue School; and Lisa Golebieski, Co-President of the Verona Junior Woman’s Club. The announcer was Kimberly Manis, Treasurer of the Verona Junior Woman’s Club.

The three winners, all 4th graders, qualify for the regional Spelling Bee on February 26:
• 1st place Lauren Brown (F.N. Brown)
• 2nd place Anthony Stefanelli (OLL)
• 3rd place Nicole Volpe (F.N. Brown)

Congratulations to all participants and thank you to Mayor Schwartz and Principal Monacelli!

And thank you to the following Juniors who helped to make the Spelling Bee terrific:  Wendy Powell, Melissa Symczak, Lorri Caffrey, Thuy-An Wilkins, Joanna Breitenbach, Meghan Walsh and Nicole Kobernick. 
Picture
Verona Spelling Bee winners: 2nd place Anthony Stefanelli, OLL; 3rd place Nicole Volpe, F.N. Brown; 1st place Lauren Brown, F.N. Brown
(photo courtesy of Krysta Venturella)
Add Comment
 
 
The Verona Junior Women’s Club will host its second annual Casino Night from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday January 29, 2011 at the Commonwealth Club in Montclair. The event will feature a mix of casino games including roulette, craps, poker and Texas Hold ‘em. Tickets are $65 per person and include a buffet dinner, wine, beer and a starter kit of “play money.” Winnings are used towards raffle tickets for a fantastic tricky tray.

“Last year’s event was a spectacular success. Our club raised enough money to support the important work we do within our community and beyond,” explains Lisa Golebieski, co-president of the Verona Juniors. Like last year’s premier event, the proceeds will enable the Juniors to continue to assist families in need, support our first responders, award scholarships to Verona students, provide funding and supplies to our schools, care for our senior citizens, and serve our community.

To purchase tickets, please contact Suzanne Giarrusso at at 973.239.1655. Sponsorship packages for the Casino Night are available, and can be arranged by contacting Jennifer Critchley at 201-892-1897. We are also accepting prize donations. To make a donation, please contact Robin Wallace 973-857-2801 or Sarah Latson at 973-433-7637. Questions regarding tickets, sponsorship packages and prize donations can also be directed to VeronaJuniorsCasinoNight@gmail.com.

The excitement of Casino Night is certain to lift spirits from the mid-winter blues! Don’t miss it!
Add Comment
 
 
The Verona Junior Woman’s Club invites you to join the fun Sat., Oct. 23, from 1-3 PM at the First Presbyterian Church (10 Fairview Avenue, Verona).  Event includes costume parade, dancing, DJ, arts & crafts and more.

Cost is $5/person; free for children under 2.  All proceeds benefit UNICEF and the Verona Juniors international efforts fighting poverty & disease and improving human rights globally.

The Juniors will also be collecting donations of gently used costumes for local families and batteries size AA, C&D for Haiti at this event.  
Add Comment
 
 
The GFWC Verona Junior Women's Club will be holding a battery drive for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  The Juniors are collecting size AA, C or D, batteries in coordination with the Lamp for Haiti Foundation, which has identified batteries as an urgently needed supply in the impoverished and earthquake ravaged nation.

Batteries must be new and in packaging.  Sizes AA, C or D are acceptable.  No other sizes or battery types can be accepted.  Batteries can be dropped off at receptacles located at the Verona pool beginning Wednesday, August 18th, through the end of summer.  For more information, please contact Robin Wallace.
Add Comment