Women’s club donates to charity organizations

The German-American and International Women’s Club Kaiserslautern gathered June 8 for a barbecue to celebrate the success of their annual Pfennig Bazaar and to present donations from the event proceeds to more than 30 organizations in the surrounding German and American community.

In March, the club held its 52nd Pfennig Bazaar, known as the biggest flea market in the West Palatinate. Its name originates from the former German currency — the Deutsch Mark and Pfennigs (today, euro and cents). The Pfennig Bazaar is the club’s biggest fundraising event each year. Proceeds are donated to regional welfare projects and charitable organizations supporting the local community. As a member of the Federation of German-American Clubs, GAIWC also sponsors German-American youth activities and university-level student exchange programs.

After this year’s Pfennig Bazaar, donation requests were reviewed by the club’s board of directors, with donations then approved by the club members at their annual meeting in May. During the recent barbecue, American club president Katie Pelletier and German club vice president Heinke Balzulat presented € 27,750 in donation proceeds from the Pfennig Bazaar to 22 German social and cultural organizations in the region, as well as nine American organizations supporting the KMC. Through its Pfennig Bazaar proceeds, GAIWC also supports the youth and student exchange programs of the Federation of German-American Clubs (www.vdac.de), of which GAIWC is one of nearly 30 member clubs.

“Remaining funds are reserved for club programs and events throughout the year, including sponsorship of many cultural, youth, and family outings,” Pelletier said.

A registered German non-profit organization, GAIWC of Kaiserslautern was established in 1956 to foster German-American friendship and promote cultural understanding. Since then, other nationalities have been welcomed into the club, and the name started carrying the word “international” as well.

GAIWC members meet monthly in various interest groups, including conversation and literature groups, a toddler playgroup, cultural outings, traditional dinners and other gatherings. Other programs sponsored by GAIWC include German-American Day events and the upkeep of and annual ceremony honoring the American children’s graves in Kaiserslautern.

For more information or to get involved, contact Pelletier at president@gaiwc.com or 06383-9266018, or visit www.gaiwc.com. For upcoming youth events, contact GAIWC youth chairwoman Ulrike Näumann at youthchair@gaiwc.com or 0170-9662583.