French Club Waltham Fundraiser
Donation protected
As with many organizations during this pandemic, The French Club has been closed, thereby losing most sources of income - function hall rental, alcohol sales, events, teams, etc.
Who We Are
The French American Victory Club (FAVC or French Club) is a social men and women’s club in Waltham, Massachusetts, that preserves French Canadian and Acadian culture and heritage, as well as providing social events. All adults are welcome to apply for membership. Annual dues in 2020 are $50. Members Meetings are held monthly with the elected officers and Board of Directors. In addition, the Board meets separately as needed. We have 250 members.
The French Club was given historic status by the City of Waltham in 2016, in recognition of the contributions of the French Canadian immigrants and their descendants to the City of Waltham. The first meeting of The French Club was held in 1944. At the time it was a men’s club with a women’s auxiliary formed in the 1960s. For the first few decades the French Club was an important place for French Canadian immigrant tradesmen, factory and mill workers and laborers to meet and network for jobs. Many of these immigrants and the next generations became business owners, as well as educated craftsmen and professionals in the community.
For the last few decades, with a decline of immigration from Canada and changing traditions, the Club opened its membership and welcomed women and people of all ethnic backgrounds. Since the closing of Saint Joseph’s Church and Saint Pierre School, several years ago, the French Club is the only organization in Waltham that continues French Canadian traditions.
What We Do
During the past year The French Club hosted Sunday Country Jamborees twice a month, hosted by The Country Masters who have been the house band for about 50 years. Monthly oldies dances often have local band, Back in Time, as well as oldies rock and country dances (and some French songs) with DancesByLaurie. She also hosted a Halloween and New Years Eve Dance. Saint Pierre School held their alumni reunion at the French Club in September 2019. The French Club proudly participated with a large float in the Waltham 135th Anniversary Parade in September 2019, celebrating the French Club’s 75th Anniversary.
Popular activities include the horseshoe and corn hole leagues, game nights, French Canadian card games, French Canadian dinners, including ham and homemade beans and corned beef and cabbage. Two excellent pool tables are often in use. The Club maintains a small lending library of French Canadian books - cookbooks, travel, music, historic photo albums. In December we had the annual Breakfast With Santa, which was well attended, breakfast included traditional potato pancakes. Children received gifts and had photos taken with Santa.
The French Club donates the function hall and parking lot to various local organizations, including GWARC, Creative Head Start, Waltham Youth Baseball & Hockey, Special Olympics. Each year members’ children or grandchildren may apply for a $500 college scholarship.
During the past year the French Club replaced all lighting in the Function Hall and Members Bar areas through a program with National Grid at a cost of $6,500 (a savings of about $13,500), which will be paid with an additional $400 to the monthly bill.
The French Club has an excellent group of member volunteers. Decorating the hall, maintenance, painting, cooking, baking, serving, cleanup. In May, in time of COVID, a group of volunteers painted the members lounge and function hall, and the exterior of the building!
The French Club has an active Facebook page , sharing photos of events, notices, and other culturally interesting posts. Events are also posted on Waltham Patch. The website is www.favclub.org. In addition, information about function hall rental is posted on social media and on Waltham Patch classified ads.
Why We Need Your Help
The French Club has been closed since mid March 2020 due to pandemic restrictions. With no income and various expenses on a monthly basis such as electricity, gas, insurance, security alarm system, cable/internet, waste management, etc. The club needs to survive this pandemic to continue to support our community and have a place for members to gather.
Who We Are
The French American Victory Club (FAVC or French Club) is a social men and women’s club in Waltham, Massachusetts, that preserves French Canadian and Acadian culture and heritage, as well as providing social events. All adults are welcome to apply for membership. Annual dues in 2020 are $50. Members Meetings are held monthly with the elected officers and Board of Directors. In addition, the Board meets separately as needed. We have 250 members.
The French Club was given historic status by the City of Waltham in 2016, in recognition of the contributions of the French Canadian immigrants and their descendants to the City of Waltham. The first meeting of The French Club was held in 1944. At the time it was a men’s club with a women’s auxiliary formed in the 1960s. For the first few decades the French Club was an important place for French Canadian immigrant tradesmen, factory and mill workers and laborers to meet and network for jobs. Many of these immigrants and the next generations became business owners, as well as educated craftsmen and professionals in the community.
For the last few decades, with a decline of immigration from Canada and changing traditions, the Club opened its membership and welcomed women and people of all ethnic backgrounds. Since the closing of Saint Joseph’s Church and Saint Pierre School, several years ago, the French Club is the only organization in Waltham that continues French Canadian traditions.
What We Do
During the past year The French Club hosted Sunday Country Jamborees twice a month, hosted by The Country Masters who have been the house band for about 50 years. Monthly oldies dances often have local band, Back in Time, as well as oldies rock and country dances (and some French songs) with DancesByLaurie. She also hosted a Halloween and New Years Eve Dance. Saint Pierre School held their alumni reunion at the French Club in September 2019. The French Club proudly participated with a large float in the Waltham 135th Anniversary Parade in September 2019, celebrating the French Club’s 75th Anniversary.
Popular activities include the horseshoe and corn hole leagues, game nights, French Canadian card games, French Canadian dinners, including ham and homemade beans and corned beef and cabbage. Two excellent pool tables are often in use. The Club maintains a small lending library of French Canadian books - cookbooks, travel, music, historic photo albums. In December we had the annual Breakfast With Santa, which was well attended, breakfast included traditional potato pancakes. Children received gifts and had photos taken with Santa.
The French Club donates the function hall and parking lot to various local organizations, including GWARC, Creative Head Start, Waltham Youth Baseball & Hockey, Special Olympics. Each year members’ children or grandchildren may apply for a $500 college scholarship.
During the past year the French Club replaced all lighting in the Function Hall and Members Bar areas through a program with National Grid at a cost of $6,500 (a savings of about $13,500), which will be paid with an additional $400 to the monthly bill.
The French Club has an excellent group of member volunteers. Decorating the hall, maintenance, painting, cooking, baking, serving, cleanup. In May, in time of COVID, a group of volunteers painted the members lounge and function hall, and the exterior of the building!
The French Club has an active Facebook page , sharing photos of events, notices, and other culturally interesting posts. Events are also posted on Waltham Patch. The website is www.favclub.org. In addition, information about function hall rental is posted on social media and on Waltham Patch classified ads.
Why We Need Your Help
The French Club has been closed since mid March 2020 due to pandemic restrictions. With no income and various expenses on a monthly basis such as electricity, gas, insurance, security alarm system, cable/internet, waste management, etc. The club needs to survive this pandemic to continue to support our community and have a place for members to gather.
Fundraising team (3)
Robert Delaney
Organizer
Raised $1,075 from 7 donations
Waltham, MA
Randy Leblanc
Team member
Raised $200 from 1 donation
Mark Landry
Team member
Raised $150 from 2 donations
This team raised $21,590 from 72 other donations.
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