2009 was a year filled with programs that kept the Dominion Woman’s Club, local community and businesses busy. The club accomplished 70 projects, worked 8,026 volunteer hours, and donated $37,309.

With the increasing need for community support, the Dominion Woman’s Club adopted two new charities: SERVE and BARN Transitional Housing while maintaining support for the Fauquier Family Emergency Shelter and Vint Hill Transitional Housing programs. Club members once again proudly participated in the annual “Hoofin’ It for the Homeless” Walkathon, “Passionately Pink for the Cure” fundraiser and provided Smile Angels Dental Assistance for men, women and children in need. Our Club members also redesigned and redecorated the only handicapped accessible room at the ACTS Domestic Violence shelter. We also provided a new dishwasher and basement re-organization.

In 2009, we created/supported two new programs aimed at bridging the gap for babies and families: the “Birthday Fairy” program and the “Mommy and Me” program. Club women volunteered to be “birthday fairies” at BARN Transitional Housing by providing brand new birthday gifts each month for the women and children celebrating birthdays. At Youth for Tomorrow in Bristow, the “Mommy and Me” program meant at-risk pregnant teens, new teen mothers and their babies got to enjoy family parties thrown by DWC women -- presents, cakes and balloons included! DWC also worked again with INMED Partnership for Children providing necessary money to furnish the first waiting house, or “casa de espera,” at the Monte de los Olivos Health Post/Delivery Center in Ucayali, Peru.

Also new to DWC in 2009 was the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Program. Club women donated money to support the rehabilitation of injured veterans. Fisher House continued to receive monthly support. The 266th MP Company serving out of Manassas, but deployed to Iraq, received 160 pillows and pillow cases, bed sheets, fly strips, and toys for Iraqi children.

We continued a number of important programs previously supported, including the Friends of Homeless Animals Shelter and local Conservation. The animal shelter had an outbreak of canine influenza in 2009; DWC was able to provide the $1,200 necessary for medical bills. The Conservation committee got behind the “Soles for Souls” International shoe drive. The campaign motto, “changing the world – one pair of shoes at a time,” touched our club members’ hearts and souls; nearly 700 pairs of shoes were bundled and shipped for the less fortunate around the world. DWC members extended a hand to the environment by providing $1,000 to the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy to further their goal of protecting the beautiful Bull Run Mountains through education, research and stewardship.

Monthly collections at business meetings continued. Supplies were collected for local schools, special education programs, emergency shelters, soldiers, and animal shelters. DWC asked local businesses to help provide incentives for the special education students at Pace West School in Haymarket, Virginia. The school’s “prize closet” was filled with books, educational toys, gift cards, art supplies, etc., to help teachers reward students’ good behavior and academics. The “Bag a Book” Literacy Program – recognized by Prince William County - was developed by DWC women to help struggling 3rd graders in reading, writing and comprehension.