The Democratic Women of Clifton invite our members to help us celebrate our Seventh Anniversary with a time of friendship and fun at a party on Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 3-5 p.m. at the Clifton home of member, Gretchen Klimoski.

We have invited Board Chairman Sharon Bulova and will be honoring guests from Our Daily Bread, Executive Director Lisa Whetzel and Food Program Manager Chris Garris, for their outstanding work for needy Fairfax County families.

As the seventh Anniversary is often celebrated with gifts of “Copper”, we ask that instead of bringing something to eat, that members bring pennies and spare change to donate to the Our Daily Bread organization.  We will put your donations in empty ceramic bowls to symbolize the fact that many go hungry here in Fairfax County and present them to our honored guests at the party.

LET US UNITE IN CELEBRATING DWC AND OUR DAILY BREAD

For questions and to R.S.V.P., please email dwcevents@aol.com

Fairfax County residents have lost a community leader and wonderful friend of education.  Former Springfield District School Board Member Cathy Belter passed away on December 31st. She had Alzheimer’s disease.

In February of 2005, DWC hosted our first gathering, a tea for Democratic women.   We invited Cathy to be one of our guest speakers that day and she was thrilled to see over one hundred attendees there.

Cathy Belter worked as a librarian, was past president of the Commonwealth of Virginia PTA, served on the Board of the National PTA and was elected Springfield District’s School Board member for two terms.  Because of her health problems, she did not seek re-election in 2007 for a third term.   She is survived by her husband Len, two children and two grandchildren.

You may donate in the name of a family member, friend, or neighbor or in memorial.  Just let us know so that ODB can acknowledge your donations appropriately.  Of course your contribution is tax deductible. 

Donations will be accepted until January 2nd for delivery to Out Daily Bread on Tuesday, January 3rd. 

Thank you for your generosity with these two outstanding holiday projects and for your participation with the Democratic Women of Clifton. 

Happy New Year!

Here is a listing of some of our upcoming DWC events and meetings for 2012.  Hope to see you soon.

Sunday, January 22 – DWC General Meeting.  Officers will be elected.  3-5 p.m. at the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Road, Clifton, VA  20124

Sunday, February 12 - 7th Anniversary Party.  3-5 p.m. at the home of DWC member Gretchen Klimoski.  Details to follow.

Sunday, March 25 – General Meeting.  3-5 p.m. at the Clifton Community Hall.  General Assembly Legislative Report with local State Senators and Delegates.

Sunday, May 20 – DWC Annual Family Picnic.  4-7 p.m. in the backyard of DWC member Donna Netschert.  Details to follow.

Also, as in past years, the DWC will sponsor a collection of grocery store gift cards to benefit Our Daily Bread, the local nonprofit organization that provides food and assistance to Northern Virginia families experiencing financial hardship.  Your gift card donation will be distributed to the families in January.  Please bring gift cards of any denomination to the DWC meeting on Sunday or mail to us at the above address.  We will be accepting these until Dec. 31st.

Questions?  Please email us at cliftonwomendems@aol.com.

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the thirty American servicemen who died in a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan this past weekend.  Here are some ways in which you can help support the families of these brave servicemen.

The Navy SEAL Foundation helps provide support to families who suffer tragedies.  In Virginia, you can text SEAL to 90999 to donate $10, or you can donate online at www.nswfoundation.org.  The Foundation website states the following:

The loss of the U.S. Navy SEALs in Afghanistan is the kind of news the Navy SEAL Foundation fears—but prepares for in our mission to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families. When a member of the community falls, the Foundation helps the families with memorial services and defrays the financial costs of travel for immediate family members who live far away. These warriors were at the tip of the spear in the global war on terror, exhibiting extraordinary skill, courage, and commitment. It’s paramount for the Foundation to support their families here at home. When a warrior falls, the Foundation is prepared to take the burden of cost away from the families and help them with planning.

You can also help families affected by the tragedy by donating to the Armed Forces Relief Trust at www.afrtrust.org; the Special Operations Warrior Foundation at www.specialops.org; or the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation at www.woundedeodwarrior.org. ;

In May of this year, the DWC wrote a post under the heading “Show Your Appreciation of Military Families.”  Please re-read that post and donate some of your time and energy to support our troops and their loved ones.

The DWC is hosting a Summer Pool Party at the home of one of our members.  The party is for members only and will held be on Sunday, August 7th from 2-6 p.m. Bring your bathing suit and an appetizer or dessert to share!  For more information and to RSVP, contact DWCEvents@aol.com

Also, the Fun Bunch will be carpooling to Gilligan’s Pier Restaurant, located on the Potomac River in Maryland on Sunday, August 21st at 3 p.m.  to enjoy a dinner and outting with DWC members! Check out their website at www.gillianspier.com.  Contact Doreen at  doreenrchristian@gmail.com with questions and to RSVP.

Hope you can make these fun filled events!

The DWC Book Club will meet on the following Sundays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.   You must be a DWC member to attend these lively discussions, which are held in the homes of DWC members.  For more information and to be added to that list, please contact us at CliftonWomenDems@aol.com

• June 12

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver.

• July 10

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani.

• September 11

Little Princess: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan.

• October 2

A departure from the usual – we will watch the movie Iron Jawed Angels and discuss at a member’s home.

As America celebrates Memorial Day, the DWC  would like to thank the many generations of brave  men and women who died in service to this great country.  We know freedom is not free, and we honor those who gave their lives.

In addition to remembering those who died, we also remember those who now serve.   Mrs. Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have begun a program in support of  military families called Joining Forces.  See the earlier post here below for details and the video.