Book Lovers Study Club’s first meeting of 2019 was held at the home of Cheri McCain, with Gayle McAlister serving as co-hostess. The program focused on unity in diversity through international travel.

Cheri shared some memorabilia she has collected over the years from her travels and souvenirs her family has given to her. Club members also shared some experiences from international travels.
Brenda Oliver presented the institute on Heifer International, which is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to ending hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth.

Heifer International initiated a new program in 2017 called Milk Money, which provides milk to schoolchildren in kindergarten through fourth grades living in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The nonprofit wants to expand the program to include all grades in the schools. GFWC has been asked to sponsor this program and provide $2,000 to expand the program. Two dollars will provide milk for one child for one week, and $72 will provide milk for one year.

This new program takes aim at two challenges at once: attacking malnutrition while helping dairy farmers cultivate new markets. As the children’s health and energy levels improve, allowing them to focus on learning instead of hunger, so does the local economy improve.

Book Lovers voted to donate $72 to the Milk Money program.
Community Service chairpeople gave brief reports. Membership chairperson Gayle McAlister presented three new members: Lea Touchstone, Maudie Bedford and Erica Adams. Martha Sibley, fundraising chairperson, gave a report on the barbecue dinner planned for March 14.

The meeting was closed with the reading of The Collect.

Club Chronicles is written by Susie Hovater Malone.