The Progressive Women’s Association of White Hall wants residents to dig deep and clean out their closets and sheds for a good cause, asking that they donate their unwanted items before the PWA spring Rummage Sale Scholarship Fundraiser in March.
The fundraiser will be held at the White Hall’s James “Jitters” Morgan Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. March 19-20 and 9 a.m. to noon March 21.
The nonprofit is accepting items now until March 18 and asks that clean clothes be on hangers or boxed, said Gayla Smith, PWA president.
Also, she said, “Boxes are easier to store.”
Terry Hardware, 8508 Dollarway Road, has donated one unit at no cost to the group, while an anonymous donor is paying for a second.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
As with all their fundraisers, 100 percent of the proceeds go to the PWA’s Scholarship Fund. March 21 is when they will be offering their “special deals. So be sure to check them out,” Smith said.
Each year, the spring rummage sale signals the start of the PWA’s scholarship fund-raising season, which includes a second rummage sale in the fall, a scholarship auction and raffle for handmade items.
For those who want to make a donation, call Smith at (281) 795-9086 to arrange a donation.
$350,000 AWARDED
Since its inception in 1979, the PWA has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships to hundreds of young women.
Spokesperson Brenda Doucey said the PWA Scholarship Fund is designed to support young women of Jefferson County as they pursue an education, whether they’re attending a technical school, a two- or four-year college or university, or beyond.
“Education is so important, especially these days,” Smith said.
Once a scholarship is awarded, the recipient can receive $600 per semester, or $1,200 annually, until graduation.
“The money can be used as they see fit, to buy books, pay tuition, or other expenses of their choosing,” Smith said.
A recipient must maintain good grades and submit last semester’s grades to PWA by their established deadlines.
“A scholarship can be worth $4,800 over four years,” Smith said.
Currently, she said they are supporting 12 women with annual scholarships totaling $57,600.
Smith said that for high school students who need volunteer hours on their transcripts, their program counts as credit, and the PWA welcomes them.
“We are blessed to have had such wonderful student volunteers,” Smith said.
A SECOND PURPOSE
The PWA’s service goes beyond scholarships.
“Each month, we pick a group to help,” Smith said.
They donate items or money to other community organizations, such as local food pantries, veterans’ healthcare programs, and more.
This month, they are donating to nursing home residents and to a White Hall School District elementary school, providing nonperishable food items needed to fill student take-home weekend backpacks.