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During its more than a century of service, the Women's Club of Steubenville and its members have taken multiple opportunities to make a difference in the community.
They demonstrated that dedication to service again on Dec. 4 when they donated $60,000 to area organizations.
The money -- which was distributed in six, $10,000 donations -- will assist the operations of groups that work to help residents of the area in many ways. From working to preserve history, to improving health care for the underserved, to bringing events to downtown, to supporting animals in need, to providing opportunities for young people, the dollars will be put to good use.
That's money that is always needed and is much-appreciated. As Marge Bedortha, correspondence secretary for the club, said during the presentation inside the Lodge at Steeplechase, all of the organizations that received awards depend on donations and volunteers to continue their work.
Historic Fort Steuben, for example, helps to keep the region's history alive for future generations through the reconstruction of the fort that protected the surveyors who opened up the Northwest Territory and educational events throughout the year.
The Jefferson County Humane Society, meanwhile, has helped with the adoption of more than 1,000 pets this year and has helped distribute hundreds of thousands of pounds of pet food to area residents.
Helping to revitalize downtown Steubenville is the goal of the Harmonium Project, which plans to use its money to continue looking for ways to help the city thrive.
The Ohio Valley Health Center has never wavered from its mission of providing quality health care to uninsured and underinsured residents.
Helping young people has been the goal of the Ohio Valley Youth Network and Sycamore Youth Center from their beginning. The food and after-school programs touch the lives of hundreds of children on a daily basis.
The Jefferson County Historical Museum has helped preserve our local history -- including woman's club records that go back to when it was formed.
Sizable contributions like the ones from the woman's club make a big difference in allowing nonprofits to continue in their missions. Being able to offer those donations is one of the goals that was set when the club was founded.
" … It's a fulfillment of some of the aims and purposes of the original group that formed this club," Bedortha said.
Thanks to the members of the club, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary in January, several area organizations will be able to continue their work to make the community a better place to live.