Easter set the theme of this year’s Child Welfare Club Salad Luncheon, complete with plastic eggs and bonnet-shaped cakes decorating the tables.

Friday, March 24, 2000

Easter set the theme of this year’s Child Welfare Club Salad Luncheon, complete with plastic eggs and bonnet-shaped cakes decorating the tables.

Nearly 100 area ladies met at the luncheon for the annual fund-raiser.

"It looks wonderful," said Claris DuFore, Ways and Means Committee co-chair. "We’ve sold more tickets this year than we ever did in the past. We just had a wonderful response this year."

People travel from all over to attend the event, which brings together old friends and offers a great opportunity to meet new ones.

"I like to come and just visit," Kathleen Murphy said. "I’ve always enjoyed it. I mingle with friends and it helps with a good cause. And their luncheon is always good."

Money raised through the luncheon supports the club’s many endeavors.

Each year, the club sponsors two awards for Ironton City and Catholic School System children – the Eddy and Freshie awards. They also support the city mission, the Academy of Excellence, the Lawrence County Historical Society Museum, the GRADS program and Tri-State Industries, Mrs. DuFore said.

"That’s how the club started in 1919 – to focus on the children," she said. "It’s evolved over the years. We began by furnishing nurses for the schools and members participated on the hospital board. Then later we had the milk fund. When the government took that over Our club’s activities evolved with the needs of children over the years."

The luncheon offers the perfect opportunity for fun and supporting the community, said Peg Smith.

Mrs. Smith has attended every Child Welfare Club luncheon for more than 25 years and would not miss one.

"I enjoy it – the food and the fellowship," she said. "I see a lot of the same people every year who I don’t get to see at any other time. It’s the social event of the year. I also like to support the Child Welfare Club. They do a lot of good work."

The club’s event even brings back former residents who have moved to neighboring states.

"I’ve been here every year," said Jean Moore, who is from Russell, Ky. "I’m originally from Ironton and I come back to visit with old friends. My old schoolmates are here. Ironton’s my best place."

The afternoon ended with a special performance by St. Joseph Catholic High School students who performed an abbreviated version of their variety show.

To further support the club and enjoy some of the club’s famous recipes, including one’s from charter members, Child Welfare Club members will begin selling cookbooks April 7.

Cookbooks will cost $7 and are available through any member.