Spring is in the air.

Saturday, March 30, 2002

Spring is in the air. The Ironton First Church of the Nazarene seemed the place to be on Thursday as the Child Welfare Club held its annual Spring Luncheon. Brightly colored decorations filled the fellowship hall of the church and the tables were decorated with cakes of bonnets, with every flavor imaginable.

The Child Welfare Club began in 1919 as the Child Study Group. The organization’s purpose was to provide for the physical, intellectual and moral purity, health and strength of children and to promote their welfare. The group later changed its name to the Child Welfare Club in November of 1919.

The Child Welfare Club helps with grants for students to buy books, as well as sponsoring the Eddy Awards, Freshie Awards, Academy of Excellence at OUSC, Tri-State Industries and many other local activities concerning children and their education.

"It takes a lot of planning and hard work to pull this off," said Janice Heaberlin, club member.

The ladies gathered Wednesday to prepare the salads. The menu included chicken salad, cranberry salad, fruits and roll. Then, the grand finale – the cake with one placed at each table.

Everyone is guessing which flavor is at theirs. It is requested that samples be taken from other tables, as well, to try out the different cakes.

The luncheon is only one way of raising funds to help the children of the community.

"This is really nice, said first-time goer of the luncheon, Debbie Smith. I was really surprised to see the turnout and the decorations are beautiful."

Shirley Gearheart, also a first-timer, said that her sister invited her. "I am really fascinated with it, she said. Everything is really nice and pretty and I have met friends here that I haven’t seen in years."

"I always take a half day vacation every year to go to the luncheon, said Connie Justice. To me, it’s the official kick-off for spring, she said.

The entertainment was great this year, with the Lawrence County Pride Team presenting the program. The team performs in competitions all over and is proud of their efforts to make awareness of social pressures placed on teenagers today. They will be going to national competitions April 10-13. They were one of eight schools chosen out of 105 schools to perform in the nationals. Tim Willis is the director of the group.

The Child Welfare Club pulled another successful year with their luncheon and is already looking forward to next year’s event, and an even more successful turnout.