GFWC Book Lovers Study Club ended 2023 with its annual Christmas Pajama Pancake Party.  Members enjoyed this fun event at the home of Lela and Dr. Wayne Ray. Their home was beautifully decorated for the holidays and was open for members to tour. Many decorations featured Christmas ceramics made by Lela’s mother.

The project for this meeting was donating pajamas to the Franklin County Department of Human Resources. In support of the project, members wore their favorite pajamas. Twenty-four pairs of children’s pajamas were collected to be delivered to the DHR director.

Members enjoyed delicious pancakes, bacon, cheese and ham quiche, fruit, various sweet treats, coffee and other drinks. Hostesses included Patricia Cox, Leah Masterson and Cindy Bailey.

President Brenda Oliver called the meeting to order. As part of the GFWC Alabama President’s Project, “Living the Volunteer Spirit: Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes,” Gayle McAlister, program chairman, presented “Heroes that Deserve Our Gratitude at Christmas.”

Heroes recognized included suburban strip mall Chinese food restaurant owners – open regardless of the weather, day or holiday; gas station attendants, to be counted on when all other stores are closed; delivery drivers, so appreciated by those procrastinators who place their Christmas orders at the last minute; garbage workers – nobody else in America can possibly comprehend what it’s like to be sacrificing your body, time and safety on Christmas like garbage collectors do.

In support of the local garbage workers, Book Lovers gave Christmas goody bags to the employees of Russellville’s garbage department. Members also donated to FAME Girls Ranch, adding an additional $300 to the recipients of the Walk to Wellness for additional treatments; and $150 donated to Canine Companions for Independence.

Members discussed ideas for fundraisers in the new year, including a basket drawing and a tour of homes. The fundraising committee will meet and give a report later this month. The meeting’s highlight was a trivia game. President Brenda Oliver gave each member a Christmas stocking.  The meeting closed with the reading of the GFWC Collect.