The first vice president of the Lee District, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, addressed the January meeting of the Pamunkey Women’s Club.

Pat Jeffress of Goochland, who is a member of the Goochland Women’s Club, joined the Mechanicsville members on Monday, Jan. 17, for a soup and salad dinner at the Enon United Methodist Church on Studley Road.

She has been a member of the Goochland club since 1987.

Jeffress, who talked about the “community” of being in the organization, presented members with a bookmark that provided information about the Lee District, including projects.

“As you can see, on one side we have the district emblem and Deloris’ (Apsley, the district president) theme, the annual meeting date and the 2010 clubs’ and members’ stats. On the other side we have the drawings from the district stationery: The State Fair, when lee District turns out in force to escort elementary school tours, the Governor’s Mansion, the district project where our ladies are docents and they are always happy to have more volunteers,” Jeffress said.

Gov. Linwood Holton’s wife, she said, started the project in 1970.

“We, of course, have the Lee Monument and then the Capitol drawings joining the fair and Governor’s Mansion,” she added.

Jeffress recognized the efforts of Virginia Darnell, Pamunkey president, and Janice Sadler, who serves as the district’s web designer.

She talked about the United Project and reviewed its history. “Years ago (1957), the Lee District Juniors were approached about putting on a dance to open the week of Tobacco Festivities. In 1983, the Lee District Juniors voted to disassociate themselves with the Tobacco Festival and in 1984 the first ball was held where 100 percent of the monies went to a charity of the district’s choice.”

According to Jeffress, that was Camp Easter Seal. “In 2005, Lee District Juniors voted to disassociate themselves with Camp Easter Seals and Virginia Blood Services was adopted.”

Then, in 2008, the Lee District Unity Project was born. Jeffress said it replaced the long-standing Junior Project and was established for Generals and Juniors to work together for a common goal.

“The first administration of this project found us working for Camp Comfort Zone.”

Now, the organization supports the volunteer efforts of the Autism Society of Virginia.

Jeffress said the Unity Project Committee is seeking members.

Looking ahead, the said the District Art Show is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, at the West End Community Center.

The District Annual Meeting will be conducted on Saturday, March 12, at Wyndham at Virginia Center Crossings Hotel in Glen Allen. General registration will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m., with the business session being held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is $4 and the deadline is Feb. 25. Lunch will be served during the meeting; the cost is $21 per person. The meeting will include the election of the District Nominating Committee and the presentation of awards.

Jeffress said the GFWC Virginia LEADS will be in August in Virginia. The also said the nominating form is on the website and the GFWC Virginia website.

The State Convention is being planned for April 28 through May 1 in Richmond. “We shall need pages and door prizes from Lee District for the meeting,” she told the group.