Blacksburg club chooses to help charities

Each year, the Blacksburg Newcomers Club hosts a "New Members' Tea" to welcome new members to the group. Photo courtesy of Linda Moll.

Name & Title: Priscilla Beth Baker, charitable endeavors chairperson
When the Club was established: 1960

The Blacksburg Newcomers Club

When the club was established: 1960

Members: 108

About the club: The purpose of the club is to promote good fellowship among its members, to furnish them with organized opportunities for socializing, to acquaint them with helpful resources in our community and to encourage educational and charitable endeavors.

Members meet on the second Tuesday of every month (September-May) either in the mornings from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or in the evenings to accommodate working members.

The majority of the meetings are held at the Luther Memorial Lutheran Church at 600 Prices Fork Road (at the corner of Tom’s Creek and Prices Fork roads) in Blacksburg. The most up-to-date meeting information will be on the website at blacksburgnewcomers.com and on Facebook.

Q: What must a person do to join the club?

A: Potential members can download our application online under the “Contact” tab.  Applications can be returned via mail or brought to a general meeting with the $20 yearly membership fee. You may also send an inquiry to our email account, and someone will get back to you shortly with additional information.

Members are provided with a monthly newsletter containing reports from board members, general meeting news, community outreach opportunities and interest group information. Childcare is available for free for all of our members.

There are no requirements for membership other than the $20 yearly fee. We welcome all residents from the New River Valley of any age, sex, race or religion whether you are new to the area or not.

Though many members have moved fairly recently to the NRV and use the club as a way to make their transition easier, we also have numerous members who have lived here for years and are looking to make new friends and get involved in different activities.

Q: Why should people join the club?

A: Our meetings provide members with both social and educational opportunities. In the past, we have hosted speakers from Downtown Blacksburg, Gourmet Pantry, American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Christmas Store, Smithfield Plantation, NRV Cares, the Women’s Resource Center and various wellness facilities in the NRV.

The club also hosts several interest groups and social events throughout the year. Our Interest Groups offer opportunities to meet others and share hobbies and common interests. Interest Groups include: Book Club, Scrabble, Sewing, Charitable Endeavors, Out to Lunch Group, Movie Group, Girls Night Out, Potluck Dinner Group, Wine Tasting and Hiking. Many of these groups include spouses and significant others.

Social events are also planned in the evenings for all members and significant others. Past events have included Mix n’ Mingles, wine tastings and Kentucky Derby socials.

Q: The club seems to be promoting the Charitable Endeavors Committee right now. What is the Charitable Endeavors Committee, and what do they do?

A: In addition to the social and educational opportunities the club provides, members also have the opportunity to participate in special projects including volunteering, collecting supplies for community programs and fundraising for local charities.

This year, we hosted a Community Service Fair of over 20 local organizations who were able to educate NRV residents about their valuable programs and solicit volunteers.

The Charitable Endeavors Committee is an imperative part of our club’s community outreach goals, and we encourage all new members to become involved in the valuable work we do to aid organizations in the NRV.

Q:  What charities does the Blacksburg Newcomers Club work with, and how do you choose those charities?

A: We have monthly collection drives for charities in our area. Recipients in the past have included the Humane Society, the Montgomery County Christmas Store, Micah’s Backpack, Valley Interfaith Childcare Center, Free Clinic of the NRV, the Women’s Resource Center, among others. We also provide numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the year and hope to increase this aspect of our club in upcoming months.

Q: How have you made an impact this year for charities in the NRV?

A: side from volunteering and hosting collection drives, the club has given generously monetarily over the years to multiple organizations. The majority of our advertising funds go directly back to NRV charities in need.

Any local business wishing to advertise with us and consequently help support local charities should consult our website for further information or email our Publicity Chair.

This past year, we gave over $2,500 in funds to the following organizations who applied for grants: Blacksburg Children’s Museum, Pregnancy Resource Center, NRV Cares, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, SEEDS, Micah’s Backpack and the Funeral Consumers Alliance. .

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