Five retired teachers are trying to make an impact in their community.
Mardi Gras came to Moorestown Thursday night as a group of five retired teachers decorated the newly-renovated former library wing of the Moorestown Community House with sequin embellished mask, beads and streamers in shades of purple, green and gold. Giving A Little Support, or GALS, a Moorestown-based community service group, threw a Mardi “BRA” themed party to collect supplies for Providence House Domestic Violence Services in Riverside.
GALS collected “anything that will bring dignity and joy to women who are struggling,” according to GALS founder Marcy Elwell. Party-goers were encouraged to donate new bras, underwear, books, make-up, pajamas, winter wear and feminine hygiene products, which were collected under a Mardi Gras-themed tree.
The Mardi “BRA” party was the latest in a series of charitable events the GALS have thrown. The group came together in 2013 when Elwell gathered four of her retired teacher friends. Over the past four years, Elwell, Susan Gillece, Nancy Gipson, Peggie Morgan and Deborah Swan-Halpin have reached out to local organizations and tried to find ways to lend a hand.
“We try to focus our support locally, but we also will reach out to others in need of a little support,” Morgan said.
The group finances all of their projects itself. Morgan said it initially started out small by donating school supplies to Moorestown schools in 2014 and expanded from there.
Each season, the group picks a new charity to lend aid to. In 2014, the group hosted a wine and cheese party during which it collected children’s pajamas, which were donated to Live Civilly. That same year, the group hosted a “Diaper Derby” to benefit Twin Oaks Community Services in Cherry Hill and ended up collecting hundreds of diapers, baby blankets and pajamas, according to Morgan.
In 2015, the group hosted another pajama fundraiser and donated more than 100 pair of pajamas and gifts to the Beverly School District. The group is also a regular at Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia where members cook for families staying there. In both 2016 and 2017, GALS donated $150 to a senior girl to help with prom dress expenses.
After reading about a Mardi “BRA” event a year ago, Morgan said she was inspired to pitch the idea to her fellow GALS who were enthusiastic about the idea. The women held off on the idea until Mardi Gras, which spanned Feb. 9 through Feb. 13 this year.
Previously, every fundraising event has been held at one of the GALS’ homes. The Mardi “BRA” party marked the first time the ladies branched out. Elwell said she helped decorate the Community House for the Cooks Tour and was amazed by the renovated former library space.
She said she approached members of the Community House about renting the space for one of their events. The GALS financed the cost of the rental, decorations and food and spread word of the event via evite.
A steady stream of around 50 attendees made their way to the Community House on Thursday evening and quickly filled the space around the GALS’ Mardi Gras tree with a pile of donations for Providence House.
Attendee Bobbi Hannmann said she was glad to be part of the charitable event. She said the the GALS know how important it is to help organizations such as Providence House.
“I think they’re amazing,” Hannmann said. “I’ve known many of them for many, many years, and they’re just very good people.”
Rachel Morgan, Peggie’s daughter, echoed the sentiment. She said for an organization consisting of only five women, they accomplish a lot of good deeds.
She said the GALS are always looking for different and new ways to help. She said she was happy to hear the GALS were collecting for Providence House this time around.
“Anytime that women can support other women, I think is a worthy cause,” Morgan said.
