One of Bethel Park’ s first civic clubs still serves the community today. BY W. B. FRESA
BETHEL WOMEN’ S CLUB
CELEBRATES
75TH
ANNIVERSARY
One of Bethel Park’ s first civic clubs still serves the community today. BY W. B. FRESA
“ At the heart of Bethel Women’ s Club is the common goal of giving back to the community.”
Members of the Bethel Women ' s Club displaying some of the items they ' ve used in their fundraising efforts.
In 1941, Bethel Park Township, like the rest of the country, was dealing with the uncertainties of World War II. While the attack on Pearl Harbor had yet to take place, the United States’ allies were at war in Europe and there was a call to service by the U. S. government asking everyone to do what they could to support their country, communities and neighbors.
It was during this time that three women living in Bethel Park Township formed Bethel Women’ s Club.
“ As the story goes, in the spring of 1941, neighbors Ethel Linepensel and Olive Huff were hanging clothes on their clotheslines when they began talking about what they could do to help the community,” says current Bethel Women’ s Club President Cindy Carfagno.“ That year, they decided to form the club with their mutual friend, Ruth Brown, and 75 years later, they’ re still going strong.”
The Bethel Women’ s Club membership quickly increased to 27 by the end of that year and grew to 87 members within five years. With that many members working to support Bethel Township, as it was still known back then, they were able to collect money to buy war defense bonds and an inhalator or respirator, which was donated to the local fire department for use and safe keeping.
“ At the heart of Bethel Women’ s Club is the common goal of needing to give back to the community,” says Carfagno.“ We have helped support many organizations and residents of Bethel Park over the years and I’ m happy we can continue the tradition during my tenure.”
One of the club’ s most proud honors is granting two annual academic scholarships to children who attend school within the Bethel Park school district. A $ 100 scholarship is given to a student at Independence Middle School who writes the best essay on a current event. The second is a $ 3,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior who is preparing for continued education.
“ The scholarship program is one of the highlights and missions of our club,” Carfagno explains.“ We work very closely with the schools to ensure that our guidelines are fair and achievable to all young adults wanting to earn a scholarship.”
To raise enough money to fund the annual scholarships, as well as other charitable efforts, Bethel Women’ s Club holds fundraising events throughout the year. It also gets donations from local businesses.
“ We try to support as many charities as possible, like Adopt‐A‐Family, S. H. I. M.( South Hills Interfaith Movement) and Bethel Park Library. This year we’ re also making hygiene survival kits, which include a hand towel, washcloth, soap, toothbrush and other essentials. We will donate these kits to our local fire department, Operation Safety Net for the homeless, and other organizations who have requested them.”
Bethel Women’ s Club will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a small luncheon, which will include some light entertainment and time to reflect on the club’ s history and impact on the community.
“ We are not party people,” notes Carfagno,“ but we want to honor the women who have given so much to help others. That’ s what we do and we’ re going to keep moving forward with our mission.”
To learn more about Bethel Women’ s Club and how to join, email bethelwomensclub @ gmail. com or call Cindy Carfagno at 412.831.1331. ■
18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Bethel Park