Advocates for children’s week October 24-30

Jena Doak, [email protected]

October 22, 2021 — The fourth week of every October, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) recognizes children in their communities.

At the Tuesday, October 19 Rock Springs City Council meeting, Rock Springs Mayor Timothy Kaumo proclaimed the week of October 24-30 to be GFWC Advocates for Children Week. Speaking at the meeting, Wyoming GFWC, Marsha Volner, addressed the council.

“We would like for our community to think about what they can do for our children,” Volner said. “This year, for our Advocates for Children Week, we are buying books and reading them to the Head Start program in both Rock Springs and Green River.” She expressed a desire for council members to go to schools, Head Start, and child development centers in the area, and read to them next week.

GFWC members have been advocating for children since the early 1900’s. Next year will mark the 100th year that they have served this community. The Rock Springs GFWC currently has 48 members who meet once a month, February through May.

Last year, they built “Buddy Benches” for children’s mental health. A Buddy Bench is for students whose friends are not present, or who need a friend. They are there for children to join other children on the bench and either talk or play together.

“We would like the community to know what they can do,” Volner told Wyo4News. “For most of our projects, we have a lot of volunteers from the community.” For more information on volunteering during GFWC Advocates for Children’s Week, please contact them at gfwcrocksprings.org.