American Women's Club of Hamburg Currents Magazine November/December 2013 | Page 21

C h a r i t y B e g i n s i n t h e AW C H a m b u r g
by Tracy M.

We all know that philanthropy is not one of the main goals
stipulated in the AWC Hamburg constitution. The purpose of
our club is to advance international understanding, to assist
American women and their families living in the Hamburg
area and to provide support as they adjust to life in Germany,
to advance cultural exchanges among American, German, and
other nationalities, and to inform members about issues of
interest to Americans.

that has been hosted in Hamburg since 2011.

However, we do a great deal towards helping those less fortunate
than ourselves. Until now, each member has supported various
FAWCO charitable projects, such as the malaria net project
for families in Africa, water wells for families and schools in
Cambodia, and other projects, through a donation of 8€ per
member. This comes from dues and is a yearly contribution
to FAWCO. We have also donated over 1,500€ to the Integral
Tribal Watershed Development Project (a water project) in
India, which is the pet project of club member, Ulrike Henn.
This support came from the profits of our AGM silent auctions
in 2011 and 2012, “a slice of cake” fundraiser at the 2011
Thanksgiving dinner and the two Bunco games evenings we have
had at our rooms at DESY.

Charity is an American tradition and member Beth G. has been
the driving force behind the heart pillow project for breast cancer
survivors. She and the Stitch ‘n’ Bitch group have made and
donated over 50 pillows to local hospitals. This project is also
supported locally by the natural bed and furniture maker CocoMat, which has also worked with other American Women’s Clubs
in other countries. In the framework of a charity event initiated
in co-operation with the AWC Hamburg, over 100 pillows were
produced by COCO-MAT and were ceremoniously handed over
to the Mammazentrum Hamburg of the Jerusalem Hospital in
March. An article and photos even made local press!
A further example is a group of AWC members, lead by Kara W.,
have walked and run in every Koman Race for the Cure event
Currents November/December 2013

The March 2013 Bagel Sale was a fundraiser where the profits
were used to purchase fabric and filling for more pillows. There
will be another event at COCO-MAT, as well as another bagel
sale this fall.
The Stitch n Bitch group has also been called to action by Jess
M. She is a follower of Craft Hope, a love inspired project
founded in 2009 designed to share handmade crafts with those
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