Category: Service Project

Service Project

Prioritizing the advancement of women through rearch, policy and advocacy

My name is Shalaya West, Program and Research Director with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Our organization prioritizes the advancement of women and girls in the Commonwealth through research, policy and advocacy. We invite you to join us at our hybrid public hearing next month!

MCSW Public Hearing, November 17th, 2022 5:00 pm -7:00 pm at the Berkshire Athenaeum 1 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

The hearing will be hybrid with an in-person option as well as a virtual option to attend. The MCSW would like to hear from you on issues that affect all women and girls in the Berkshires, including LGBTQ+ women, children, and families. This is an open hearing, meaning speakers can come to testify about anything that is an issue of concern for them and this region. We also are encouraging folks that cannot join us virtually or in person to submit written testimony for our records.

The testimony received directly informs our priorities for the upcoming Legislative session and our reporting on the status of women in the Commonwealth.  To register, please visit: https://bit.ly/3ThpFTL  Also, you can always follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or join our mailing list to receive updates on this event and other updates from the MCSW.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time!

We look forward to you joining us!

Shalaya West, MPP
Program & Research Director
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
One Ashburton Place, 10th Floor, Suite 1018A, Boston, MA 02108
Mobile: 617-821-3963

Sandy Carroll for Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

Service Project

Zonta Says No in November

Climate Change ZontaSaysNo

Across the world, Zontians will be honoring 16 days of activism between November 25th – December 10th.  Locally, you can expect to see social media posts and outreach about our efforts to raise awareness about domestic violence and the resources available. if you have suggestions, please reach out to Melissa Mazzeo and Rosanne Frieri, the advocacy Co-Chairs.  There will also be a Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Summit on Tuesday, 29 November CST www.zonta.org/events Cost: US$10 or check out the Zonta International Toolkit for Action here

Sandy Carroll

Service Project

Donations To Be Collected @ November Meeting

I have contacted both the Christian Center and Elizabeth Freeman concerning the donations.

Elizabeth Freeman is desperate need:

  • cleaning supplies, ie: windex, clorox, wipes, pine sol, etc.
  • anything you would need to clean a house.
  • laundry soap.

Christian Center needs:

  • non-perishable items, ie; soup, anything canned, cereal, pasta, mac and cheese, etc.
  • Winter coats and accessories for men and women.
  • Clothing items for free to anyone who need these.

This is a perfect time of year for everyone to go through their closet and clean out winter coats. I would also believe they could use other winter items such as gloves, hats, and scarfs. Members can either bring these items to the next meeting, or if needed we could pick them up at their homes. Both of these organizations do wonderful work helping those less fortunate and what ever us Zontians can do to help will be extremely appreciated.

Thanks, Jackie Benham

Jackie Benham

Member / Club Activity / Service Project

Period Project Assembly Saturday, November 5th

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On Saturday, November 5th @ 9 a.m., we will have the Period Project assembly event at Sandy’s office in the TD Bank Building on the second floor.  We will have breakfast munchies, coffee and work to create period project “kits” for area shelters or service centers to give to women in need. Below is a list of what we’re collecting. To give, see below, we take both funds or supplies to contribute to this project. Please note that the committee plans to use the club funds held in reserves from the Temescal Wellness donation for purchasing bulk supplies, so we will not be making a big push for public contributions as we usually do. Please let Vickie Palardy or Sandy Carroll know if you plan to volunteer – and also if you know of a organization that needs supplies.

Here is a link to our updated Amazon Wish list for products

• Boxes of Individually wrapped Pads or Tampons
• Individually Wrapped Panty Liners
• Cleansing Wipes
• Hand Sanitizers and/or Soap
• New Pairs of Underwear (Any Size)

For reference, in the spring, we had a fantastic assembly day!  Attendance: Vickie Palardy, Sandy Carroll, Elaine Hunter, Anne Meczywor, Cassandra Pugh, Tina Monteleone, Karen Norton, Cheryl Maselli, Sarah Gillooly, Debbie O’Neil (10)  Non-members:  Carla Prendergast, Denise Talabach, Eileen Tegethoff (3) Soldier On:  Yolanda Hoffman and Cassandra Finn  (2) Temescal Wellness: Olivia Melillo, Megan Kane (2) iBerkshires: Sabrina Damms (1) Total Attendance: 18

This morning our incredible assembly group reached our goal of 250 kits to donate to organizations and schools that are in need of feminine Hygiene products.

  • Total products Distributed:  1250 pads, 1500 tampons, 1250 liners, 250 bars of soap, 245 tush wipes and 125 pairs of panties
  • Kits went to the following recipients: Elizabeth Freeman Center, Reid Middle School, Herberg Middle School, 18 Degrees Family Resource Center, Bart School, Taconic High, Lee High School.,

Vickie Palardy