Bundles of joy for newborn Christmas-time bundles of joy

The Hemet Woman’s Club presented the Obstetrics Department of Hemet Valley Medical Center, with hand-made items to be given to proud parents of babies born at Christmas time.

The club delivered hand-made receiving blankets, burp cloths, and hats. Parents can wrap their bundles of joy in their first very own Christmas stocking. 

This surprise donation, and out-pouring of hand-made love is in keeping with the original intent of the founding of the woman’s club.  The first President of the Hemet Woman’s Club was Mrs. W.C. Goodhue, ‘Clara’ to her friends. The club was founded in 1906. Organized as the “Current Topics Club,” Clara led the members to create a Child Welfare Center and establish a public reading room. Hemet residents began plans to build the first public library with help from prominent businessmen and the fundraising efforts of the Hemet Woman’s Club. Facing many difficulties, since Hemet was unincorporated at the time, the request for Carnegie Library funds, was not available until 1910.  The library was completed in 1912.

The Hemet Woman’s Club takes pride in bringing together women from all walks of life and with a variety of interests and lifestyles. Together they work towards community outreach. Through fundraising and volunteering efforts, members have an opportunity to develop their personal leadership skills and project-management skills by stepping into a chairmanship of one of the many club projects. Members often say they gain great satisfaction and pride in being able to make a difference in the lives of children and families in Hemet, but that’s not all this club is known for.

The Hemet Woman’s Club each year, awards financial-need scholarships to students in the Hemet Unified School District, based on academic achievement. A rigorous application process packet is available at the beginning of the calendar year during senior students’ final semester through their school’s Counselors and Counseling Department. A group of educators and interested non-HWC members judge the students’ applications and letters to arrive at those chosen to receive the scholarships at the April General Meeting and Scholarship Tea.  Students, counselors, and parents are invited to this very special event where Woman’s Club members serve as their gracious hostesses. Scholarship information can be found in the Forms section in Membership or by emailing the club for more information.

​The Hemet Woman’s Club sends three 10th grade students (one each from Hemet High School, West Valley High School, and Tahquitz High School) to participate in a 3-day conference held on the Chapman University Campus in June by the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY). This HOBY program offers and cultivates leadership skills “to inspire and develop” high school sophomores for a “community of youth and volunteers dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.”

The Hemet Woman’s Club, with the exception of just a few years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, continues today to meet at the public library. This demonstrates that the Hemet Woman’s Club and the Hemet Public Library have an enduring and strong relationship through these many years.

To learn more about the Hemet Woman’s Club or to donate, visit: cfwc-hemetwomansclub.org. 

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