On any given day, somewhere in the Denville area, a quiet act of kindness may be unfolding behind the scenes. It could be a scholarship that helps a local student take the next step toward their future, an Easter basket delivered to a child who needs a little extra joy, or the chance to celebrate a birthday despite difficult circumstances.
Many of those moments begin with the women of the GFWC Woman’s Club of the Denville-Rockaway Area.
For many members, that work offers more than an opportunity to give back—it provides a sense of connection, purpose, and lasting friendship. Women of all ages and backgrounds come together with a shared goal of making a difference, often forming bonds that extend far beyond their volunteer work. At a time when genuine connection can feel harder to find, the club creates a space where collaboration, support, and service come naturally. It’s not just about the projects themselves, but about the relationships built along the way.
Founded in 1932, the club has spent more than nine decades supporting residents across Denville, Rockaway Borough, and Rockaway Township. Today, nearly 70 active members continue that tradition of service—raising funds, organizing collections, and volunteering their time to strengthen the community they call home.
The club is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international organization dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. While local clubs focus on projects that best support their own communities, they are also connected through statewide and national initiatives.
“We do some projects that are statewide or district-wide, and then the clubs work independently on what projects they're interested in on a local level,” said Barbara McCloskey, President of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs.
One of the Denville-Rockaway club’s longest-running initiatives is its holiday stockings for the troops program, which has been running for 20 years. Last year alone, clubs across New Jersey collected nearly 3,000 stockings, which were shipped to soldiers serving around the world.
But the club’s efforts extend far beyond that single project. Members also participate in statewide service initiatives. Currently, they support the New Jersey Children’s Alliance, which assists children impacted by abuse. As part of that effort, the club contributed to statewide efforts that provided more than 700 backpacks to children heading back to school last year, and most recently organized a duffel bag drive for children forced to leave their homes unexpectedly.
“The duffel bags have clothing and maybe a small toy and toiletries and other things, so they have something to take with them,” McCloskey added.
Education is another cornerstone of the club’s mission. The organization awards scholarships to graduating seniors from Denville and Rockaway high schools, as well as students in the LPN program at Morris County School of Technology in Denville.
“Our priority every year is to give scholarships out to the community, and we award about $5,000 worth of scholarships,” Janet Walker, president of the Denville-Rockaway chapter, said.
The club also sponsors two local high school juniors annually to attend the Girls Career Institute, a four-day residential program at Douglass Residential College designed to introduce young women to a variety of potential careers.
“During that program, women come in to speak with the ladies and give workshops so that they can learn about what it’s like to be an airline pilot or to work in banking,” McCloskey said. “They can get an idea of what it’s like to work in different professions.”
Beyond scholarships and educational opportunities, the club remains closely connected to the everyday needs of local families. Members organize donation drives throughout the year to support both Denville and Rockaway Social Services, including back-to-school supplies in the fall, holiday gifts in December, Easter baskets in the spring, and food collections for local pantries.
Another ongoing effort is the creation of “birthday bags,” which include cake mix, icing, candles, paper plates, and napkins so families facing financial hardship can still celebrate important milestones.
The club also values its relationship with local schools. In February, members hosted a Spelling Bee in collaboration with fourth- and fifth-grade teachers from Denville and Rockaway schools, awarding gift cards to the top three winners. This year, the club also introduced a poetry contest for sixth graders, with winners set to be recognized at the club’s May meeting.
“We get enthusiastic and outpouring support from the superintendents, principals, and the teachers. They really like us to do the Spelling Bee every year,” Janet explained.
To support these initiatives, the club organizes fundraisers throughout the year, including a fall walk-a-thon. This year, members are also raising funds through an event tied to the June 4 performance of Spamalot at The Barn Theatre in Montville, where all proceeds will go toward the club.
For Barbara, who has been part of the club for nearly four decades, the organization’s impact extends beyond the projects themselves.
“I’ve been in the club for 39 years and to see the friendship, the camaraderie, and the dedication and devotion the women have to supporting the community and each other is really something to be admired,” McCloskey said.
Guided by their motto—making a difference one project at a time—the women of the GFWC Woman’s Club of the Denville-Rockaway Area continue to prove that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference throughout the community and beyond.
To learn more or get involved, email gfwcdenrock@gmail.com.