Leading with Heart: A Q&A with the North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club on Charity and Community Impact

Can you tell me about the origins of the North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club? How did it all begin?

In 1973, twelve women formed a Garden Club in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Within a few short months, they realized their interests centered around community activities. In the fall of 1973, they changed from a garden club to a Woman’s Club, joining with the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs in 1974, becoming the GFWC North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club.

How has the club grown in terms of membership and community impact since its inception?

Since joining with GFWC, our membership has grown from 25 in 1974 to 107 today.

Are there any standout moments or projects in the club’s history that have had a lasting impact on the community?

Our club has been fortunate to contribute many meaningful projects that have a lasting impact on our community. One notable moment was our 2017 Human Trafficking Forum, where we partnered with the SC Attorney General’s Task Force and Human Trafficking experts to raise awareness. Over 300 attendees gained valuable insights into this critical issue, both locally and statewide.

Another significant milestone was the launch of our “What A Difference A Mile Makes” Walk against Domestic Violence in 2021. This annual event raised awareness and funds for organizations supporting domestic violence victims. We’re proud to have an account dedicated to the New Domestic Violence Shelter in Horry County, which will break ground this month.

Our fourth “What A Difference A Mile Makes” will be held on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex Amphitheater with a 1.1-mile walk for participants. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Hope Taylor & Co., Destination NMB, PURPLEologist, or at the event.

What are some ongoing projects or initiatives the club is currently involved in?

Our ongoing projects focus on a wide range of community needs.  At Sea Haven, we host pizza and Halloween parties for the children and collect snacks and Christmas gifts. We support NMB schools by providing backpacks, school supplies, and coats. Each May, we award scholarships to graduating seniors. During the holiday season, we provide Christmas presents to the residents of the North Strand Housing Shelter, now Compass Community, and the North Strand Helping Hand.  We provide food boxes and essentials for local veterans. Additionally, we organize beach and marsh cleanups, collect Valentine’s Day candy for seniors, and contribute to many other initiatives throughout the year.

Can you share an example of a recent successful project and how it has benefited the local community?

We participated in the second annual GFWC’s National Day of Service on September 25, spotlighting food insecurity and hunger in the U.S. This year, we took a three-pronged approach. First, our members were challenged to collect food during the summer club break (the remainder of May, June, July, and August) and bring what they collected to the September meeting. Second, a Food Drive was held at a local grocery store on August 17. And third, food and donations were collected at the Irish Italian Festival in North Myrtle Beach. The results were amazing: We collected 2,984 pounds of food and nearly $4,000 in donations. This amounted to 22,281 meals to help food-insecure individuals in our city and county. We partnered with Low Country Food Bank, so all food and donations would go to them for distribution throughout our area.

How does the club typically raise funds for the charities it supports?

We have three significant fundraisers annually: Purses with Purpose in April, The Domestic Violence Walk in October, and the Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes in December.

Can you tell me about the upcoming 2024 Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes?

The upcoming tour will be held on Friday, December 6, from 3:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. We have seven homes this year, so we added an extra hour. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. They can be purchased at Hope Taylor & Co. on Main Street in NMB, Destination NMB (NMB Chamber), or PURPLEologist in Barefoot Landing.

How can members of the public get involved or support the work of the North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club?

By supporting our fundraising events, becoming a sponsor, or purchasing tickets for our events.

For those interested in joining, what qualities or skills do you look for in new members?

We welcome women who are passionate about making a positive impact in the community.  While we are a hands-on group, we also enjoy a strong sense of camaraderie.  We look for women with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, especially those with computer skills, a love for volunteering, and a willingness to grow into leadership roles. Whether you’re experienced or just eager to contribute, our club has a place for you.

What are some of the club’s future goals, and how do you hope to continue making a difference in the community?

Our club is committed to addressing the evolving needs of our community by continuously introducing new initiatives. We encourage our members to contribute fresh ideas that align with our mission, and we also look to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) for guidance on impactful projects. Through these efforts, we aim to make a lasting difference.

Is there anything else you’d like the public to know about the North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club?

GFWC North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club just celebrated its 50^th Anniversary of community service.  If you are interested in joining this fabulous club, want to donate, or want more information on what we do, please visit our website at www.northmyrtlebeachwomansclub.org or www.facebook.com/nmbwomansclub.