Church Women United of Lane County
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Over 100 Years of Ecumenical Action in Lane County ... 
            Our History, Our Accomplishments ...

Picture
Mrs. Marie Fletcher. File photo.
1910 -  The ladies of different “evangelical” churches met in the Baptist Church formed the Women’s Mission Union of Eugene.  Mrs. Marie Fletcher (left)  was the first president.
1911 -  Started to celebrate World Day of Prayer (established nationally in 1897)
1925 - Collected from parents of school children clothing for lepers 
1928 - Encouraged the public to vote against theatres and picture shows opening on Sundays.
1929 - Mrs. Fletcher spearheaded the opening of International House at University of Oregon
1931 - Focused on helping migrant workers
1935 - 500 women attend the fall mission institute
1941 - Started a toy lending library
         - Held a Silver Tea for Chinese relief that was well publicized in the papers.
1942 - Supported soldiers stationed at the fair grounds by baking cookies.
          - Sponsored the daily 6 pm church bell ringing as part of the national minute of prayer to pray for the war-torn world, the nation, its leaders, and the men in service.  
1943 - Beginning of World Community Day
1944 - Provided political support to get Skipworth Juvenile Home started
          - Made 2000 garments for women and children in the Phillipines
1945 - Part of sending 1 million diapers and thousands of layettes to Europe and Asia post WW II
          - Helped migrant workers
1946 - Made many “Kiddie Kits” for children under-5 for worn torn Europe and Asia.
          -  Led clothing drive then shipped 99 cartons = 3100 lbs of clothing and bedding to post war Europe
1947 - Collected materials and sent “Boxes and Bundles” for 6-12 year olds to post WWII Europe (52 Boxes and 40 Bundles)
         -  Headed other overseas relief programs which included collecting bedding, toiletries and baby necessities
         - Collected money for the milk fund
1948 - Collected for “Pack-A-Towel” for teens in post WWII Europe
          - Headed March of Dimes drive
          - Supported a “dry” candidate for mayor
          - Worked to defeat Measure 315 (Drink by the Glass)
1949 - Sent ½ ton of fabric to European women to make clothes
         -  Started working with UNICEF
1950 - Work with migrant families
1965 - List of services for special needs person supplied and ways United Church Women could volunteer
         -  Supported the development of Job Corp (started in 1964)
1966 - Work with migrant families, clothing drives, selling used clothing, providing Christmas gifts
1968 - Trained women to visit nursing home
          - Coordinated birthday and Christmas gifts for folks in nursing homes.
          - Collected 300 lbs of clothing for school children in S. America
          - World Day of Prayer: 14 services, 6 adult services, 4 children’s services, 3 nursing home services, 1 service at Goodwill Industries:
                    740 attendees, 45 churches and 16 denominations represented
          - Received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Oregon Council of Churches for outstanding work with migrant families
1969 - Held a 3 day forum “the Church in SE Asia, New Forms of Mission” which included tackling local issues
          - Won a Eugene Mayor’s award for International Cooperation
          -  Gave a year of service to Goodwill Industries
          - Raised money for Pearl Buck Center
          -  Sent at least 1 delegate to the Pacific Northwest International Missions Conference for training in the latest
                    interdenominational mission themes that were then picked up locally
1972 - Boycotted head (iceberg) lettuce in support of migrant workers
1977 - Supported Sponsors prison transition program
1978 - Sponsored home stay programs for 40 English teachers from Japan (2 week stay)
          - Supported the Laubach Literacy Council
          - Hosted individual seminars and mini-causeways
1979 - Held birthday parties for Goodwill Industries workers.
1980 - Supported the food stamp bill to continue food stamps through August
          -  Supported displaced homeworkers/widowed services by recognizing the value of homemakers
          - Member Bonnie Thornley received the Eugene Woman of the Year Award
          - Helen Scott received the Eugene Sr. Woman of the Year Award.
1982 - Planned “Missions Resource Fair” at Northwest Christian College
1983- Present 
         - Work on behalf of women, children, those in need, immigrants, and the unemployed for a better life locally and internationally

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