Lansing Jr. Woman's Club

About the group: Established in 1947. Affiliate of General Federation of Women's Clubs. An international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Promotes interest along educational, civic and cultural lines. Meets monthly, August through May. Web site: www.lansingjrs.org. Nonprofit organization.

Special events: Lansing Jr. Woman's Club joins the state organization in supporting March of Dimes and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. It contributes to the community by participating in a number of events and activities including beautification projects in Lansing and supporting local organizations and clubs. Ongoing programs include collecting pop tops for Ronald McDonald House, medicine bottles for Northwest Haiti Christian, cancelled stamps for Franciscan Motherhouse mission work in Icoaraci, Brazil, Box Tops for Education, Campbell's Soup labels and participating in the Tyson A+ food label rebate program. The club is represented in Lansing's annual Good Neighbor Day parade and at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Calumet City; last year the club donated about $900.

Lansing Jr. Woman's Club holds a Stay Safe essay contest for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and is active in projects benefiting soldiers serving overseas. The club offers scholarships through General Federation of Women's Clubs and annually awards a continuing education scholarship to a member. Fundraising events include an annual Split the Pot raffle - this year's drawing is March 27 and tickets are $5; flamingo flocking, tag days and the club initiated a new profit making recycling effort for inkjet and toner cartridges, cell phones and pagers.

Advice: "The little things we do help to make a difference," said club president Carrie Lape. "It's the little things in life that make life worthwhile."

How to get involved: Lansing Jr. Woman's Club meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at First United Methodist Church of Lansing, 18420 Burnham Ave. For more information, visit the Web site, www.lansingjrs.org

People might be surprised to know: Lansing Jr. Woman's Club won more than 23 awards and the 2005 Outstanding Community Service award for a club its size at General Federation of Women's Clubs Illinois convention this year.

- SUE BERO, TIMES CORRESPONDENT