Homemaker’s club gives teachers supplies to start year
Grape Creek – The Grape Creek ECA Homemaker’s Club held its annual Teacher Appreciation Picnic under the pavilion near the Rock Gym in Murphy with an impressive turnout on July 17.
Each year, the club has a picnic in July, where three teachers are selected to receive a basket of supplies to help get the school year started. The teachers can be nominated by anyone and can be selected if they are able to attend the picnic.
This year’s recipients were Janet Drew, pre-kindergarten assistant teacher at Peachtree Elementary School; Debbie Ledford, second-grade teacher at Ranger Elementary School; and Tina Hayes, a special/exceptional education teacher. Each of the teachers expressed gratitude for the gifts, which will help them start their classrooms off on a positive and prepared note for the 2025-26 school year.
The Grape Creek ECA Homemaker’s Club is part of the N.C. Extension & Community Association.
“We’re just a group of dedicated ladies that want to help the community in any way that we can,” organizer Nancy Helms said.
The club has more than 10 dedicated members, eight who are more than 80 years old, who meet every month to work on a project they’ve chosen. Their goal has always been to fill gaps where there are needs.
Most of their projects involve sewing, crocheting. knitting and other handmade items. Previous projects have included creating bibs and blankets for the pregnancy center, making pillow blankets for missionaries, designing throw blankets for nursing homes with specific measurements to prevent entanglement in wheelchairs and developing around-the-neck storage for oxygen tanks in cancer centers.
“We’re here to help any organization in whatever way we can. We just want to contribute to our communities,” Helms said.
The Grape Creek ECA is always welcoming new members and new project ideas. Those who have a project that they want to bring to the club, recommend teachers for their annual picnic or to join the club can contact President Judy Lachance.
Details: Visit cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/12/grape-creek-homemaker-eca-gives-back-to-the-community.