{"id":32966,"date":"2024-04-02T20:04:22","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T20:04:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/?p=32966"},"modified":"2024-04-02T20:04:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T20:04:22","slug":"westfield-service-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/?p=32966","title":{"rendered":"Westfield Service League"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celebrates 90+ Years of Community Impact,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Continuing its Legacy of Volunteer Service and Support<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Organization:\u00a0 <\/strong>Westfield Service League<\/strong><\/p>\n

Location: <\/strong>\u00a0114 Elmer Street Westfield NJ 07090<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact Information: <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tell us about the Westfield Service League!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Westfield Service League (WSL) was born in the depths of the Great Depression, out of the desire of Westfield women to serve their community. On November 7, 1932, a group of 19 young women met at the home of Mrs. J.H. Verlenden, an advisor from the District Nursing Association, for the purpose of forming an organization to render volunteer service to Westfield charities. The group quickly grew and had 35 members just one month later.\u00a0 The Westfield Service League became recognized as a group of capable young women, ready to really work. Requests for aid of every description came pouring in. It was the task of the charter members to choose the most worthwhile projects \u2014 projects that would continue the League on the course originally set for it.<\/p>\n

In March 1933, the young Service League was asked to take over the management of the District Nursing Association\u2019s Thrift Shop. The League also assumed the responsibility of collecting pennies for the Milk Fund, ran a lunchroom at the YMCA for 100 undernourished school children and began their long association with the Children\u2019s Country Home (now known as Children\u2019s Specialized Hospital) by transporting youngsters to and from the Orange Clinic.<\/p>\n

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In 1953, after years of renting space and moving when lease terms changed or more space was needed, the League bought a building on Westfield Avenue to house the Thrift Shop. On February 9, 1953, the Westfield Service League was formally incorporated in the state of New Jersey.<\/p>\n

In 1962, the Associates had a dream of another shop and, through their efforts, the Consignment Shop came into being. In 1964, the Westfield Avenue property was sold, and the shops moved to 22 Elmer Street, where for the first time, both the Consignment and Thrift Shops were under the same roof. The most momentous move occurred in the spring of 1968, when the League purchased our present home at 114 Elmer Street. And, after a summer of hard work redecorating the new shops, the grand opening was held in September.<\/p>\n

Today, in addition to running both the Thrift and Consignment Shops, League members also deliver weekly Mobile Meals, as well as staff the Food Pantry at Holy Trinity bimonthly. During 90+years of community service, the League has expanded and changed to meet the needs of both country and community. Our stated purpose of the nonprofit organization in 2024 is still closely aligned with the purpose of the original group of women:\u00a0to assist charitable, volunteer, civic and service organizations of Westfield and its environs by rendering efficient volunteer service and monetary contributions.<\/p>\n

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\u200bSince 1932, the League has been proud of many outstanding achievements, including:<\/p>\n

Volunteering in wartime, when some 20 members cleaned hospital rooms and performed other needed services at Muhlenberg Hospital where the staff was seriously depleted by the draft.<\/em><\/p>\n

Purchasing needed items for the Westfield Rescue Squad: a Life-Pak 5 (a defibrillator monitor); pagers for communication between headquarters and squad members; four new radios for two of the ambulances; refurbishing and refinishing the crew waiting room at the squad building; contributing funds toward a third ambulance; \u201cHeartstart\u201d defibrillators; in 1990, replacing the truck and chassis of one rig; contributing $10,000 in 2016 toward new digital radios and receivers and assisting with the purchase of three state-mandated iPads to communicate to ERs while en route to hospitals.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Endowed a private room at Overlook Hospital in 1949 and donated a room to Rahway Hospital in 1956 in memory of Carol Stapp.<\/em><\/p>\n

Redecorating Children\u2019s Specialized Hospital\u2019s out-patient reception room in 1963, and in 1975 donating a medical control room and assisting in the equipping of an audiological room.<\/em><\/p>\n

Supplying every member of the Westfield Police Force with a bulletproof vest, purchasing a sta<\/em>tion wagon to be used by the Red Cross as a <\/em>transportation van and providing members with pagers to facilitate communications.<\/em><\/p>\n

Conducting the first Historic Homes Tour of Westfield and sowing the seeds for the development of the Miller Cory Museum.<\/em><\/p>\n

Commemorating the League\u2019s 40th anniversary by presenting a flagpole and plaque honoring the Veterans of the Vietnam War to the town\u2019s Memorial Pool.<\/em><\/p>\n

Celebrating the League\u2019s 50th anniversary on November 18, 1983, which included the reunion of nine of the original charter members who were, in turn, honored by the League for their foresight and dedication. The Town of Westfield joined in by presenting the League with a certificate of appreciation, however, the real surprise of the day, was a congratulatory telegram from President Ronald Regan\u2026. quoted here in part, \u201cAs we experience a renewal of the volunteer spirit of America, it is most fitting that we recognize those who have tended its flame.\u00a0 I send my\u00a0congratulations\u00a0and gratitude to all of your members, past and present, along with my best wishes for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marking the League\u2019s 60th anniversary by donating funds to the Westfield Recreation Commission to landscape the area surrounding the flagpole at the Memorial Pool.<\/p>\n

In 2017, the League was recognized with a proclamation (at right) by the Town of Westfield for its 85 years of service to Westfield. League members were on hand to receive the proclamation and be recognized.<\/p>\n

Crowning 90+years of service with grants since 1941; $ 2,867,695 has been given in grants to such organizations including but not limited to: Birthday Box,\u00a0Children\u2019s Specialized Hospital, Contact We Care, Covenant House, Emmanuel Cancer, Family and Children\u2019s Services, Mobile Meals, Westfield Food Pantry, Westfield Historical Society, Westfield Y and YWCA Union County.<\/p>\n

Currently, we are a group of 180 volunteers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tell us about the consignment shop and the thrift shop!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Westfield Service League\u00a0Executive Board 2024: Susan McClelland and Karen Salemme serve as co-presidents; Rosann LiVolsi as vice president; Lillian Louie, treasurer; and Laura Byron, secretary. The positions are\u00a0two-year terms.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur shops are full and business has been booming. We would like to remind our customers that although we sell beautiful and designer merchandise, we are a nonprofit agency and all proceeds are distributed through grants to local charitable organizations,\u201d said Salemme. \u201cWe wholeheartedly thank our shoppers for their support.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf any community member is looking for a great way to volunteer their time, look no further. We would love for you to join our caring community of volunteers who run all aspects of our shops. Come on in and we\u2019ll show you around and answer your questions,\u201d said McClelland.<\/p>\n

The money raised from the sale of the goods goes to local non-profit organizations, including the Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, Imagine, Moms Helping Moms, Caring Contact, Roots and Wings, and St. Joseph\u2019s Social Services Center. Last year, the League was able to donate $70,000 to 29 organizations, bringing its total donations since its inception to almost $3 million.<\/p>\n

Besides working in either the thrift or consignment shops, members serve on special committees, such as holiday sales, grants, personnel, house, food pantry, mobile meals and more. There are also many other social activities, such as \u201chappy hour\u201d at local restaurants, book club, field trips to area attractions and craft or learning sessions. The League is active and the stores are open from September to June. Membership meetings are held once a month.<\/p>\n

The shop is located at 114 Elmer Street in Westfield and is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information about donations or volunteering, call 908-233-2530 for the Thrift Shop or 908-232-1223 for the Consignment Shop.\u00a0Our\u00a0shops are located in the heart of beautiful downtown Westfield, NJ. Net proceeds from our shops help fund other nonprofits in Union County.<\/p>\n

\u200bSign up for our Weekly Newsletter in our shops to be among the first to see new items as they come into the shop!\u00a0Visit our website –
\nhttps:\/\/www.thewestfieldserviceleague.org<\/em><\/p>\n

Also, did you know that all of our profits go to area charities and service organizations? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The WSL has been supporting our community since 1932…so come check us out soon and feel great about finding bargains while giving back to those in need.<\/p>\n

Which non profit organizations is WSL associated with? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

We have an ongoing association with Mobile Meals and Holy Trinity Food Pantry.<\/p>\n

How can the community get involved with WSL?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit our shops, our website, call the shop, or contact us at wslbymail@gmail.com to apply for Provisional membership and information regarding membership requirements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Celebrates 90+ Years of Community Impact, Continuing its Legacy of Volunteer Service and Support Organization:\u00a0 Westfield Service League Location: \u00a0114 Elmer Street Westfield NJ 07090 Contact Information: \u00a0 Tell us about the Westfield Service League! The Westfield Service League (WSL) was born in the depths of the Great Depression, out of the desire of Westfield […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[151],"tags":[],"post_flags":[],"class_list":["post-32966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-westfield-local"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32966"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32973,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32966\/revisions\/32973"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32966"},{"taxonomy":"post_flag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.localmedianj.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fpost_flags&post=32966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}