Special to IFN

The Statesville Woman’s Club welcomed 16-year-old Isabella DiFiore, founder of Bella’s Backpacks, as guest speaker at the club’s May meeting. After her presentation, club members prepared 20 backpacks to help support children at the Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center and in the Iredell community.

Bella is the daughter of Steve and Jennifer DiFiore of Statesville and the reigning Miss Thomasville Teen 2025. She started making the backpacks in January 2022 at age 12 after being inspired by the backpack program at her elementary school as a way to give back to the community and help The Dove House. She wanted to do something to make the children that come to The Dove House feel special, feel like someone cares, and know that there is hope in their worst moments. The first year over 225 backpacks were donated, in 2023 over 450 were given and in 2024 over 620 contributed. She has also used her Global Game Changers and Miss America platform to expand helping other communities throughout North Carolina, including the western part of the state after Hurricane Helene.

The items for the backpacks were donated by club members and the community. Each backpack consists of a small blanket, journal, coloring book, colored pencils, crayons, an ink pen, pencils, hand sanitizer, reusable water bottle, individual tissue packet, a hairbrush, a toothbrush with toothpaste, stress ball, fidget popper, Play-Doh, small stuffed animal and a snack. These items in the backpacks help the children that come to the Dove House by bringing comfort and helping them to express their feelings. Bella also includes a message of hope that reads “I have overcome some of the most difficult situations and come out Stronger.” She also includes her favorite scripture: “I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens Me.” (Philippians 4:13)

RECOGNITIONS

Also, during the May meeting, three past presidents of the Statesville Woman’s Club were recognized for their years of membership: Linda Lavinder (50 years), Joanna Gaither (30 years), and Sandra Ball Poole (10 years).

It was announced that the club was the winner of five awards at the state convention in April. The awards include:

♦ Overall Winner Large Club for leadership advancement plans;

♦ Club Creativity Award for “Empowering Through Education: Shining a Light on Domestic Violence”;
♦ Seasonal Recruitment Campaign Award;
♦ Roll of Honor Clubs – Silver; and
♦ Certificate of Appreciation for 105 years of dedicated service to the GFWC of NC and the local community.

NEXT MEETING

The next club meeting will be on Thursday, June 12, at the historic clubhouse located at 515 West End Avenue. There will be a time of social fellowship at 5:30 p.m., and the meeting starts at 6 p.m. This will be the last meeting before summer break and will be a fiscal year-end meeting and installation of officers. All members, guests and interested women are invited to attend.

LEARN MORE

For information about renting the GFWC of NC Statesville Woman’s Club’s Clubhouse for your meeting or event, email the Club at Statesvillewomansclub@gmail.com or call 704-761-8208. The Club website is www.statesvillewomansclub.org. For details on joining the GFWC of NC Statesville Woman’s Club, contact Membership Team member Joanna Gaither at 704-873-2684.