AWC Going Dutch January_February 2019

FAWCO Corner
by Julie Mowat, AWC The Hague FAWCO Representative
Handbag and Art Auction
by Teresa Mahoney
Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, a United Nations NGO with
consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council
www.fawco.org.
On November 5, the inspiring Amanda Lane,
Executive Director of Collateral Repair
Project (CRP), joined us for coffee and gave
a presentation about their program. Our Club
will be raising money for their community
center programs for refugees, which is the
FAWCO Target Fundraiser: Hope Beyond
Displacement. Please see the facing page
about our Handbag and Art Auction to be
held on February 21.
Amanda shared stories about the refugees
and how CRP makes a difference in their
lives. She was able to tell us how the money
we raise will be used for the SuperGirls program,
gender-based violence program, salon
and auto skills, women’s empowerment,
34 GOING DUTCH
school supplies and uniforms, etc. With the
additional funds raised by FAWCO Clubs
through the end of February, they hope to:
• Fund participation for 30 more women
in the Economic Empowerment
Program for hair styling, beauty and
self-employment skills,
• Renovate a playground,
• Launch the After School Club at a new
community center in downtown Amman,
reaching more refugee children,
• Translate the SuperGirls’ curriculum
into Arabic to ensure it can be used in
the future by all staff,
• And create a dedicated space for women
to learn and train.
It was a wonderful chance to ask questions
and learn more about refugees in Jordan.
You can learn more by visiting www.
collateralrepairproject.org.
One Billion Rising is the biggest massaction
to end violence against women in
human history. The theme of SOLIDARITY
remained the focus of One Billion Rising
2018, with the call to “Rise, Resist,
Unite!”. FAWCO encourages its Clubs to
participate, and last year we had so much
fun in a flash mob dance in Leiden with
Leiden University. Save the Date: February
14. We hope to do something again this year!
Visit www.onebillionrising.org for more
information.
FAWCO’s Biennial Conference is March 21
to 24 in Edinburgh, and all AWC Members
are invited to attend. It is a great way to
learn about all the things FAWCO has to
offer. There will be excellent speakers
and workshops. Please ask me or Teresa
Mahoney if you have any questions. Register
at www.fawco.org.
You might find this hard to believe, but
despite all these years of being involved
with Going Dutch, I have never written
a single article! Well I am finally inspired to
do so because I am thrilled to be in charge of
the Handbag and Art Auction that will take
place February 21, and am excited to get everyone
involved. For you new Members, I will
explain the details more in-depth in a minute.
For us veterans, I just want to reminisce a
little about some of the emotional moments
we have experienced together at previous
Handbag Auctions.
Remember the
time when Dru desperately
wanted that
beautiful pink Chanel
bag but the bidding
went beyond her budget
and she very reluctantly
had to stop?
Then Nancy stepped
in, bought the bag, and
presented it to Dru as
a present. Drew burst
into tears—and, oh my
gosh, I am tearing up thinking about it now.
What
about when
Lara won
the beautiful
white-beaded
bridal clutch
donated by
her own
mother Georgia? There were very few dry
eyes in the room after that touching motherdaughter
moment.
Did you hear about Melissa bidding on
that gorgeous vintage Hermes scarf as a surprise
for me? (Have I mentioned my scarf
obsession?) Again, the bidding started going
high, and suddenly Melissa thought “Crap
(sorry for the swearing but you know how
Melissa thinks!) what if Teresa had actually
donated that scarf!?” So
she stopped bidding only
to have Susan swoop in,
buy it, and present it to
her as a gift. And I am
the happy recipient of that auction highlight!
New Members, you can tune back in
now… So how does the auction work?
First: Over the next few weeks, have a
look to see if you have any well-loved handbags
that need a new home. Accessories like
scarves or gloves are appreciated, too. This
year we are introducing a new category: art.
If you have any nice pieces that need a new
home, please donate those as well.
Second: Bring those lovely auction items
to the Clubhouse during office hours through
February 14.
Third: Relax while my team and I put
together a catalog and get some bubbly and
snacks ready. The lovely and talented Loren
has volunteered to be auctioneer again this
year, so thank goodness success is assured!
Fourth: Come to the Auction February
21! There will be bubbly, good cheer, lots of
fun and, of course, snacks! All proceeds go to
the very worthy and well researched FAWCO
Charity: Hope Beyond Displacement. Have a
look at the facing page for more info in case
you missed Amanda Lane’s inspiring presentation.
When she explains about all the good
work they are doing, you just want to throw
money at her! How much nicer to throw money
to support the charity while also getting a few
handbags in return.
Ok, I feel I have gushed enough. Here’s the
condensed message for those who have dozed
off despite the plethora of exclamation points:
Handbag and Art Auction
Thursday February 21
starting at 1 p.m.
Please drop off auction items (wellloved
handbags and art) at the
Clubhouse starting now!
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