The Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) kicked off 2024 with a number of events celebrating its 60th anniversary. In January, these included a happy hour event at Cooper’s Wine Shop. In February, the Club recreated the Sweethearts Ball first held in 1964. The 2024 version took place February 12 at the Alpine Events Center in Rhododendron. Club members and others donned cocktail attire for hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and dancing. In March, Club members will gather at Cooper’s Wine Shop on the 14th for a night of card games.

In addition to monthly social events, the HWC continues to reinvest in the Hoodland Community with dollars raised through fundraising events, grants, personal bequests and business sponsorships. Emma Galligan, who chairs the Club’s Community Fund, reminds Hoodland neighbors that they can request assistance from the club if they are experiencing a hardship that impacts their immediate physiological needs, including food, shelter and safety.

They can request assistance by submitting a completed Hardship Assistance Form. It is available electronically on the HWC website. Paper copies are available at the Hoodland Library, the Hoodland Senior Center and Neighbor Missions. Once HWC receives a request, one of its members will contact the requester to confirm eligibility and share more information about the process.

One of the activities on tap that combines both socializing and fundraising is hosted by member Anne High and takes place every Tuesday when members meet to create crafts that will be sold at this spring’s community block party and at holiday craft fairs later in the year.

In addition, while August seems well down the road, HWC is fully engaged in planning for its largest fundraiser of the year, its annual golf tournament, auction and raffle. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday, August 15, at the Mt. Hood, Oregon Resort. In addition to contributing to the Club’s Community Fund, the tournament raises funds for four $2,500 scholarships given to Sandy High School seniors from the Hoodland Community. While COVID forced a one-year suspension of the tournament, it has otherwise taken place every summer since 2008. Sponsorships and golf teams, along with auction and raffle donations, involve the entire community.

HWC welcomed two new members to its board this year. They are Siouxie Downs, recording secretary, and Gracie Schenkel, member at large. The organization is growing and individuals interested in getting to know others in the Hoodland area while supporting the community are encouraged to become part of it.

Membership dues are $25 per year. Those interested can be either full-time or part-time members of the Hoodland communities. More information is available on the HWC website (just search for Hoodland Women’s Club) or by emailing board@hoodlandwomensclub.org.
Anyone interested is also invited to attend one of HWC’s general meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 4, at 5:30 p.m. at Sandbar BBQ in Sandy. Anyone wanting to attend who did not receive an evite can contact board members at the address listed previously.