GFWC Civic Club of Oakland
PO Box 167 Oakland MD 21550
Welcome! Check back often for updates
Help Us Help Others
Your donations allow us to continue our work within Garrett County. Thank you for your generosity.
OUR BIG FUNDRAISER - the ANTIQUE & MAKERS MARKET - 49TH YEAR!
OUR BIG FUNDRAISER - the ANTIQUE & MAKERS MARKET - 49TH YEAR!
OUR BIG FUNDRAISER - the ANTIQUE & MAKERS MARKET - 49TH YEAR!
Antiques, vintage, & artisan handcrafted one-of-a kind items. All proceeds donated to local non-profit organizations. Largest antique and Makers show in Western Maryland and one of the biggest events of Autumn Glory. Café offering homemade soup, new food items & baked goods.
Please contact Jean Tumbarello at gfwc.oakland@yahoo.com for more information.
2024 Non-Profit FUNDING Information
OUR BIG FUNDRAISER - the ANTIQUE & MAKERS MARKET - 49TH YEAR!
OUR BIG FUNDRAISER - the ANTIQUE & MAKERS MARKET - 49TH YEAR!
We will be awarding funds to local non-profit organizations in 2024. Request for funding is made in writing and needs to be postmarked by December 31, 2023.
Please use the link below to find out more information and request an application.
we still have some cookbooks available
OUR BIG FUNDRAISER - the ANTIQUE & MAKERS MARKET - 49TH YEAR!
we still have some cookbooks available
In 1914, Club members published a cookbook. We have updated some of the 1914 recipes with more modern versions AND included some of our famous Antique Show café recipes.
Cookbooks are $15
Use the link below to contact us for your copy.
Quick Guide
Volunteer of the Year 2022...Melissa Rank
we still have some cookbooks available
The Quick Guide is a directory of services and sources of help available in or near Garrett County. We provide the guides to local organizations FREE of charge for distribution to their clients. Many people do not have internet access and rely on this guide for important phone numbers and other information. The Guide is updated every 2-3 years. Please let us know if your organization needs copies.
Woman of the year 2022...Karen Lauer
Volunteer of the Year 2022...Melissa Rank
Volunteer of the Year 2022...Melissa Rank
Each year an outstanding Club woman is named Woman of the Year. She is chosen by the three previous WOTY based on her contributions to the club and community. The 2022 recipient is Karen Lauer.
Since moving to Garrett County about 6 years ago, Karen wasted no time getting involved in the comunity. There is hardly an organization in Garrett County where Karen has not been an active participant... GLAF, HART, Mentors, Art Council, Barn Dance, Wine Festival and more. For the Civic Club, Karen is very active in the Warm the Children program, the spring Flea Market, the fall Antique and Makers Market as well as giving time to the Treasure Chest at the Lighthouse. She loves to 'scissor' with the Craft group. If there is a job to get done, Karen is one of the first people to ask what she can do to help. Karen's ready smile and positive attitude are rays of sunshine to everyone she meets.
Volunteer of the Year 2022...Melissa Rank
Volunteer of the Year 2022...Melissa Rank
Volunteer of the Year 2022...Melissa Rank
Each year an outstanding Club woman is named Volunteer of the Year. She is chosen based on the number of hours she spent devoting volunteer time to club activities. Board members are not eligible for this award. Past winners are Karen Lauer, Betty Ellington, Jean Skinner and Sue McQuaid.
In 2022, Melissa Rank devoted 250 hours as Chair of the Veterans Outreach Community Service Program and manager of the Treasure Chest, a thrift store for clients of the Garrett County Lighthouse. She was also the Bake Sale coordinator for the cafe during the Antique and Makers Market. All this in addition to the work and time she unselfishly gives to other organizations throughout Garrett County.
It's not all work! We have fun, too...
It's not all work! We have fun, too...
It's not all work! We have fun, too...
All work and no play? Not this club! In 2023 we participated in the Victorian Chautauqua providing supplies for ladies to make beautiful hats to wear.
Check out our photo gallery page for pictures of all our activities and events (past and present)
Many ways to get involved...
Craft Group
Four times a year, the craft group makes 335 'tray favors' for clients and residents of local assisted living, nursing homes and Meals on Wheels. The favors reflect a holiday season and are cherished by recipients. The group meets two Thursdays a month to get the favors made. It's a great way to get to know each other and make new friends while having fun being artistic. No creative experience necessary - if you can use scissors and a glue gun/stick, you will be able to make a favor.
Book Club
The book club meets from January through October at a local restaurant (third Friday) to plan reading material and discuss the current book selection. Members rate the books on a 1 to 5 scale.
Monthly meetings always result in stimulating discussions with special emphasis on how readers related to the book’s characters.
Environment Community Service
Kathy Zimmer is the leader of our Environment Committee. Our Club has adopted a portion of Highway 219 in McHenry to keep clean and free of trash. Three times a year we gather to walk along the road to pick up trash - just like our founding members did in Oakland back in 1911. Next 'trash day' will be in September 2023.
International Outreach
The International Outreach Committee introduced a new initiative in 2021, one which focuses on improving gender equity, health, and educational outcomes by supporting menstrual health programs in developing countries. For millions of young girls and women in developing nations, their monthly period is met with community and family ostracism, absence of health education, and lack of proper, clean, and affordable hygiene products. Availability of hygiene supplies and health education can provide significant improvements in girls’ classroom attendance, academic achievement, self-image, and in avoiding early pregnancy. Kim Maffett has made traceable patterns, fabric kits, and instructions if you are interested in cutting or sewing pads. Any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
The next box of pads will be mailed in spring 2023.
Warm the Children
Warm the Children is a national initiative that benefits our local community. We work with Garrett County schools, the Department of Social Services and the local newspaper to purchase warm clothing for families in need. Members notify selected families and take them shopping at our local Walmart.
In 2021 we shopped for over 239 children. Club members wrote over 250 thank you notes to donors who generously gave over $30,000 to the program. We can never have too many shoppers or note writers for this worthwhile program.
This article about the 2021 campaign appeared in the Garrett County Republican on Jan 21, 2022
The Treasure Chest at The Lighthouse
Founded about 12 years ago by Civic Club members, the Treasure Chest is a thrift store accessible only to clients at the Lighthouse. Clients are able to shop for personal and gift items in a controlled and supportive atmosphere. The money raised at the Treasure Chest is set aside for clients who need emergency financial support for medication co-pays, car repair, rent and other needs. Clients look forward to Tuesdays when the store is open for browsing.