By Cathy Lavin, HWC
The Mountain Times
The Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) raised over $31,000 at its 20th annual golf tournament and associated live auction and raffle on September 15 at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort. Those funds and money raised at other activities throughout the year, along with community donations, enable HWC to meet its goal of supporting a vibrant Hoodland community.
The largest outlay of dollars will go to five scholarships in 2025. Four will go to graduating high school seniors with ties to the Hoodland area and one – new in 2025 – will be awarded to a Hoodland resident for continuing education. While most people think of scholarships being used for studies at a four-year college or university, these scholarships can be used for any type of continuing education, such as training for a professional license, earning a professional certificate or learning a trade.
In addition to the scholarships, funds are reinvested in the community in a number of ways. These include support for Welches Schools, Spooky Alley, Hoodland holiday baskets, Mt. Hood Unida, Hoodland Senior Center and meeting the physiological needs of individuals to ensure they have life’s basic necessities, including food, water, shelter and medications.
Another way of giving back to its community is through the HWC’s spring and fall road clean-up. This year’s fall clean up is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15. HWC members start at the intersection of Salmon River Road and Highway 26 and continue for a two-mile stretch along Salmon River Road. They use trash bags, pickers and vests supplied by Clackamas County to collect discarded cans, bottles and other trash. Trash collected has included items as small as cigarette butts and as large as a discarded bed frame.
The road clean up is coordinated by HWC member Anne High, who also hosts a weekly crafting group. Community members and visitors will be able to purchase the results of their craft creativity at a number of locations, including block parties in the parking lot outside of Cooper’s Wine Bar, the Hoodland Farmers’ Market and the holiday craft fair at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort. Those purchases not only result in some great finds, but support the club’s community activities.
Another fundraising activity scheduled for this month is also a great opportunity for community members to show their creativity and socialize with their neighbors. HWC will host a costume Halloween dance at Alpine Events Center on Thursday, October 24 from 7-10 p.m. Check out the Hoodland Women’s Club website or Facebook page for more information, or send an email to board@hoodlandwomensclub.org.
In addition to community events, HWC hosts members-only events throughout the year. One of these was a candle making session on September 21st at Luna & Craft in Welches. Members of the community who aren’t yet HWC members are invited to join via the club’s website. Dues are just $25 per year. Those who want more information before joining can also attend one of the club’s monthly meetings. Again, contact board@hoodlandwomensclub.org for details. The October meeting will feature a speaker from Orchid Health and will be held Monday, October 7 at 11:30 a.m. at Alpine Events Center.