GFWC Seward Woman’s Club “Festival of Trees” Creates an Impact in the Community of Seward
Launch the media gallery 1 playerThe GFWC Seward Woman’s Club highlighted the area “First Responder” Christmas Trees for the Seward Christmas Festival on the weekend of November 30th, 2024. The local GFWC Club wanted to be part of the bigger community effort to kick-off Christmas. The decorated trees were featured during the week-end, with most held over the entire Christmas season-depending on the tree ‘s situation. The event was held in the Jones Bank Theater of the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward. The event focused on area First Responders-The Fire Departments and EMT’s of Seward County, the local Law Enforcement and the National Guard.
Area First Responder groups-such as local Fire Departments and were welcome to decorate a furnished artificial tree or bring both their tree and decorations. Some local organizations also decorated trees to honor and celebrate and thank a specific First Responder group of the area. “We hoped to attract decorated trees filled with a variety of ornaments and decorations and happy that these very busy groups were willing to share their tree with the community. Area First Responders had trees full of special ornaments-such as badges, fire trucks and medical equipment, as well as the traditional Firefighter’s hat and even the firefighter’s boots! “We realize that this may be asking a lot from families, during the busy Christmas season,” but it was fun Christmas family activity, and the effort promoted area community volunteers working together with many fun trees to share,’” said GFWC Seward Woman’s Club President Angela Belew.
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Launch the media gallery 2 player - media #5Local trees showcased in the 10th Annual GFWC Seward Woman’s Club’s Festival of Trees “Saluting Are First Responders” includes the Medical Reserve Corps, the Pleasant Dale Volunteer Fire Department, the Seward Police Department Salute by the SHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Goehner Volunteer Fire Department, the Tammora Volunteer Fire Department, The Nebraska National Guard Salute by the SHS Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Class, The Salute by the SHS Skills USA honoring the Seward County Law Enforcement-Seward County Sheriff Department, the Milford Volunteer Fire Department honored by the SHS JAG Class, the SHS Family Community Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) Honors the Cordova Volunteer Firefighters, the Garland Fire Department, the SHS Key Club Salutes the EMT’s of Seward County, the SHS FFA Salutes the Rural Fire Departments of Seward County, the Staplehurst Volunteer Fire Department, the Seward Volunteer Fire Department, the Nebraska National Guard is honored by the Nebraska National Guard Historical Society.
Also featured at the Festival of Trees are photos of the ten volunteer Fire Departments of Seward County and several free drawings for possible prizes for those that attend.
There was not competition or prizes-as they were all be “winners” and the club just appreciated the families sharing their trees. Many want to keep their trees up at the Museum during the entire Christmas season to promote First Responders and share their message.
The “First Responder” Festival of Trees offered free admission and asked for a free-will donation to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and/or canned goods for the area food bank or a donation of gloves, stocking caps, scarves, mittens and socks to both local city missions at the club’s “Mitten Tree.” The project was selected by the club when they decided to be part of the local Community Christmas Festival to kick off the Christmas season. The goal was to promote Seward County, say thank you to our First Responders, live the Christmas Spirit, make an impact in the community program by helping the less fortunate and to remember to also have fun!
“We so appreciate the help and true sense of volunteerism by the leadership of the Nebraska National Guard Museum,” commented Jean Kolterman-co chair of the event. “Because the Civic Center is under remodeling, we needed a space and the leaders at the NNGM volunteered to help us keep the tradition of the festival of trees on the agenda for the Seward Christmas Festival. Special thanks to Gerald and Mary Meyer who spent many hours assisting our group on this project.”
“We really involved so many more this year, with the change of location, as we were fortunate to have many Seward High students assist us with moving and setting up the trees. Their service clubs at school also wanted to pay tribute and thank our First Responders-and I think that says a lot about these groups of students,” noted Jean Kolterman. “These are very busy groups-especially the First Responders and we so appreciated that they took time to share their group’s message. This is truly a community and countywide effort and really demonstrates the unity and uniqueness of our county at the same time. We hope you have time to stop in and enjoy this fun, family geared, free Christmas event.”
The GFWC Seward Woman’s Club’s Festival of Trees is open M-F from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward at 201 North 8th Street. Admission to the museum and the Festival of Trees is free!
The GFWC is the oldest service group in Seward and was organized in 1900. The club members have membership with the International General Federation of Women’s Clubs INC (GFWC). For more information on the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club contact Angela Belew -President of the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club at angelabelew@gmail.com