The Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) continued its 60th anniversary celebration at its January general meeting with an updated slide show presented by member Nichole Watts. She and fellow member Cathie Anderson are compiling information for a timeline with pictures that will ultimately be available on the Hoodland Women’s Club website.

From its earliest days, the club raised funds to support the needs of the Hoodland community. One of its earliest goals was to support creation of a community park, a goal that ultimately morphed into a building on Salmon River Road in Welches. That building, pictured here and eventually christened the Dorman Center, was owned by Clackamas County, but leased back to HWC beginning in 1976 for a nominal annual fee.

Initially, income to pay for the building’s operation and maintenance came from HWC dues and fundraising activities. In 1986, a daycare for children opened at the facility. In 1989, the daycare business was sold to the daycare board and the non-profit Mt. Hood Community Children’s Center was formed. It officially received its 501(c)(3) designation in 2004.

The Dorman Center no longer exists, but HWC continues its focus on “Helping the Whole Community,” according to member Emma Galligan, who chairs the club’s Community Support and Family Hardship Assistance committee. Members raise money through fundraising activities, grants, personal bequests and business sponsorships that is reinvested into the community for special projects, hardship assistance, scholarships and other causes.

Also in a nod to its beginnings, the Club will host a Sweethearts Ball (its first event in 1964) with cocktail attire on Monday, February 12, at Alpine Events Center from 6-9 p.m. The $40 charge will include heavy appetizers, music and a community giving program donation. Check the HWC Facebook page for an evite link.

Hardship assistance is available to Hoodland neighbors with immediate physiological needs including food, shelter and/or safety. Galligan says individuals can request assistance by completing and submitting the Hardship Assistance Request form available on the HWC web site. Alternatively, they can obtain paper forms at Hoodland Library, Hoodland Senior Center or Neighborhood Missions. Once HWC receives a completed request, a member will contact the requester to confirm eligibility and share more information about the process.

The HWC has grown from an initial 33 members to more than 100 today. It is actively recruiting new members who are interested in getting to know others in the Hoodland area while supporting our Mountain communities. They can join throughout the year and can be either full-time or part-time residents of the Hoodland communities. For more information, check out the Hoodland Women’s Club website (just search for Hoodland Women’s Club) or contact the club’s board members by emailing board@hoodlandwomensclub.org.

Those interested in HWC are also invited to attend one of its general meetings. The February meeting is scheduled for Alpine Events Center in Rhododendron on Monday, February 5, at 3 p.m. Those who wish to attend and didn’t receive an evite can contact board members at board@hoodlandwomensclub.org.