Women With Purpose

MISSION: To serve God through ministry to our church, congregation, and the community

Short term goals

• Increasing our congregation
• Provide support to the church/vestry where needed.
• Become more involved with the Episcopal Church Women (ECW)

Long term goal

• Focus on Growing the Christ Church congregation.
• Support higher education by continuing with a scholarship fund.
• Provide networking opportunities for people in transition.
• Maintain an outreach program to assist families in need.

Women With Purpose (WWP) are truly living into our purpose. I believe each year our light shines brighter as we touch more lives and inspire others to join us.

As usual, the team worked extremely hard at planning our 2 main fundraisers- the Tea Party and Caribbean night. Both were successful events. Funds raised from tickets sales and donations were just over $6000. This made it easier for us to increase our Community Service scholarship award value from $600 to $800.

We held our first Father’s Day Essay/Coloring contest in 2024, and it was evident by the response that it is going to be just as popular as the Mother’s Day contest.

We collaborated with the Buildings & Grounds committee and led the Church yard Clean up project. Many thanks to all who donated to enable us to hire a professional landscaper.

The Annual back-to-school drive was held in conjunction with the Annual picnic. We collected over 100 backpacks along with school supplies for distribution. In prior years, we donated coats to the schools however this year, we donated to Wilson School several comforter and sheet sets, blankets, towels, and cuddle pillows during and after Christmas. We know that the need there is great so we continue to strengthen our relationship with the principal and Assistant Superintendent of the Sayreville district so we can offer more aid when/if needed.

One of the highlights of 2024 was our visit to the Venetian Rehabilitation center. We have always had participation by the residents, but this year, we had one of them on her feet dancing and another dancing in her wheelchair. We encourage members of our congregation to come with us this year 2025. The experience will move you in ways difficult to describe,

The 2024 Prom Dress Giveaway was another successful project. Thanks again to the ladies who worked extremely hard curating the items collected and setting up the display of dresses, shoes, and accessories. We were able to bring smiles to over 30 young ladies. Our partnership with the community service coordinator of South Amboy school district resulted in volunteers coming to assist us on this project. As part of the prom dress project, we partnered with Rutgers University Behavioral Department and held an information session on Prom Night Safety.

Christ Church congregation stepped up once again and helped us provide meals for 7 families at Thanksgiving. It did not stop there; they made the wishes of over 20 children come true by purchasing the items on their Christmas wish list. We thank our church family for their continued support.

WWP team continues to live up to our mission. The team of ladies all put their heart and soul into all the projects while juggling, work, family crisis, illness, travel, and other issues. They are all deeply committed. We were sad to see Linda leave as she relocated, but were excited to have Debbie, Kathy and Vashti join us. Thank you to Debbie, Elise, Gail, Inell, Linda, Shelly, Terry, Vashti, and Wendy for all your hard work, ideas, financial and emotional contributions to the Women with Purpose in 2024. I am so proud to be a member of this group. We all show up in positive and encouraging ways, envisioning excellent outcomes, in everything that we do.

2025 Event Calendar

• February 1st through April 7th: Launch the Scholarship Essay Contest. The winner will be presented at Tea Party on May 3rd
• March 1st through March 31st: Prom dress Giveaway Prom dress collection through March 29th
• April 19th: Easter Egg coloring
• April 1st through April 30th: Mother’s Day Essay/coloring Contest
• May 3rd: Tea Party
• May 1st through May31st: Father’s Day Essay/Coloring Contest
• Caribbean Night: 10/18/25
• Community Forum: Date & topic TBA
• September: School Supply Drive
• November/December: Holiday outreach begins
• December: Caroling at the Venetian - Date TBA