Patten Woman’s Club receives national award

    Each year, UNICEF presents a U.S. Fund for UNICEF to an organization who has continually supported the cause of preventing child mortality. UNICEF has saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes.
    The 2009 national award has been presented to the Patten Woman’s Club for more than 40 years of participation in the UNICEF trick-or-treating. This award was announced in Lexington, Kentucky at the National Federation of Women’s Club Convention and was given to the Patten Woman Club members at their September meeting at the Patten Historical Society.
Contributed photograph
AWARDED – Receiving the UNICEF Nation Award for the Patten Woman’s Club is Sara Hill, Jane Shaw, president of Maine Federation of Women; and Jutta Beyer, president of the Patten Club.
    Each fall, the club members organize a trick-or-treat collection for UNICEF which involves the participation of children from Katahdin Elementary School in grades 1 through 4. Last fall Jutta Beyer and Sara Hill visited KES to help children understand the need in some countries for clean water, healthy food, health care and education, along with other needs. Afterwards the students were invited to join an organized drive or gather contributions on their own. Through this effort, $300 was raised and sent to UNICEF. The Patten Woman’s Club appreciates the support of KES and the students. Their help is needed to make this project successful.
    This year the Trick-or-treat collection will be on Oct. 27, starting at 2:30 p.m. The children, club members and volunteers will meet at the Methodist Church parking lot in Patten and a snack will be served afterwards.
    In 2009-2010, the Patten Woman’s Club is continuing their volunteer work in the communities which includes supporting the local food pantry, scholarships, Memorial Day Parade, Women’s Shelter, Girls’ State, Close-up Washington, Art Show at Katahdin High School, Alumni Park, and the Veteran Memorial Library, as well as other projects.
    Any women from the area who are interested in community services are welcome to join the Patten Woman’s Club.