The History of the Woman’s Club of Tarpon Springs, Florida
132 Years of Volunteering in Tarpon Springs
The Woman’s Club of Tarpon Springs is entering its 132st year and we have a proud heritage. Tarpon Springs is one of five clubs that met in 1895 in Green Cove Springs (Jacksonville area) to organize the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs (FFWC) which now has over 240 Clubs statewide.
Being a volunteer today is every bit as important today as it was in 1892 when the Woman’s Club of Tarpon Springs was founded. On a given day, our members are hard at work in our library, the hospital, schools, churches, senior citizen organizations, nursing homes and many areas that benefit from our volunteerism. We are a very diversified group of women, all working toward the same goal: community improvement through volunteer service.
Tarpon Springs Women’s Club wins Chamber of Commerce “Non-Profit Business of the Year” (2019) Award
Who is the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC)?
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs was founded in1890 and is one of the world’s largest volunteer women’s service organizations. More than 60,000 members strong, GFWC is united in its dedication to volunteer community service. While diverse in age, interests, and experiences, all clubwomen are united by a desire to create positive change in their communities. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs unites the best and brightest of today’s women into a strong coalition. As a member of GFWC Woman's Club of Tarpon Springs, you are also a member of the GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs, as well as the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, or GFWC.
GFWC Florida is comprised of 240 clubs and nearly 8,000 club women. In 2022, GFWC Florida clubwomen participated in nearly 10,000 service projects, volunteered over 800,000 hours and donated over $3.5 million in grants, scholarships, monetary and in-kind donations to communities across Florida.
General Federation of Women’s Clubs (http://www.gfwc.org)
Members across the globe are united in their mission of improving communities through volunteer service.* Founded 1892 * Federated 1906 * Incorporated 1978
Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs (http://www.gfwcflorida.org)
In great things, Unity; In small things, Liberty;
In all things, Charity.
“Community Improvement through Volunteer Service”
Our Philanthropy Proposed Donations
May 2024 - April 2025
Books "in honor" and "in memory"
TS Library $200.00
Carrie Lee Art Scholarship $300.00
Citizen's Alliance for Progress (CAP) $200.00
Cops N Kids $200.00
GFWC - Florida State President's Project $300.00
Heritage Village $100.00
Human Trafficking Awareness
Development (TBAAHT) $200.00
Humane Society $200.00
Scholarships (2) $2,000.00
Tarpon Arts (Heritage Museum) $200.00
Tarpon Springs Public Library $500.00
Tarpon Springs Schools (5) $1,000.00
Veteran's Honor Flight $500.00
WCTS President's Project (Save the Bees) $500.00
Additional Philanthropic Donations $500.00
Total $6,900.00
Our GFWC tagline “Living the Volunteer Spirit” is evident in everything we do. Our organization allows women of all denominations, cultures and ages to focus their efforts in the areas of interest to them. Our International GFWC Signature project is “Domestic Violence Awareness”. The GFWC Florida State project for 2022-2024 is Camp Boggy Creek. Since 1996, Camp Boggy Creek has made it possible for children with serious illnesses to enjoy a camp experience in a safe, medically- sound environment.
Our Local Projects Fall Under Five Community Service Programs
There is something for everyone to volunteer for
GFWC Woman's Club of Tarpon Springs is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. In any given week, our clubwomen are preparing meals for the homeless, sewing blankets for kids in foster care, supporting our veterans, collecting and distributing new and gently used books to children to promote literacy and develop leadership skills, and much more.
Our Community Service Programs (CSP's):
· Arts & Culture – We explore our creativity and raise appreciation for the arts
Arts & Crafts Competition
Arts & Crafts Competition
Arts & Crafts Day
Tarpon Singers
Tarpon Arts
Tarpon Art Fair
Heritage Museum Project Arts & Crafts Day
Tarpon Singers
· Civic Engagement & Outreach – We actively encourage civic and social responsibility
· Education & Libraries – We promote literacy and lifelong learning
· Environment – We protect the environment, natural resources and animals
· Health & Wellness – We address issues affecting the well-being of our community
Plus We Support Members Special Projects and Special Groups like Book Club, Choral Group, Shutterbug Club, Socials, Mah Jongg and much more.
Domestic Violence
GFWC is a national leader in the fight to end domestic violence by raising awareness about this social issue. The goal of this signature program is to increase awareness of and help prevent the widespread occurrence of domestic and sexual abuse and violence against women by working with national domestic violence networks and initiating educational opportunities. GFWC is a powerful voice for those who have no voice.