Apr 24, 2017 By Luke Campbell 2 min read

In an effort that began during World War II while women were hanging clothes in an area that was still considered Bethel Township, the Bethel Woman’s Club recently celebrated its 75-year anniversary of helping the community.

The club, which was initially started to support the public library and volunteer fire department, continues to aid those entities but has extended a helping hand to others in the community.

“The mainstay of our organization from the very beginning was helping those two entities,” current president Cindy Carfagno said. “We have reached out to help many local people, whether it is with Christmas gifts, scholarships or families going through a hard time.”

While giving out a $3,000 scholarship to a Bethel Park High School senior has been consistent, the 42-member group focuses on different larger project every year, including the veterans’ research for the Memorial Day display outside of the municipal building.

“We try to always keep things local because that’s who we are,” Carfagno said proudly. “It’s very important because we are in the background of a lot of these things but have done an awful lot. What’s great is the people in this community are good to us, too.”

The Bethel Woman’s Club has some members that have been participating for upwards of 40 years, a remarkable achievement Carfagno, who joined the group nearly 10 years ago, admits is admirable.

“It’s called the Bethel Woman’s Club because each and every woman in this club has a stake,” she said. “I have found since I’ve gotten into the club that what a lot of these women have been able to accomplish is truly amazing. A lot of these women have jobs and other things going on but still remain dedicated. They have worked very hard and have done so much good for the municipality.”

For Carfagno, who was elected to serve a two-year term as the president of the club in June 2016, it’s about continuing to be what she considered being “a true test of time.”

“I consider myself responsible to bringing the organization into the 21st century,” Carfagno said. “We are moving in the right direction but it’s about continuing to look toward the future. We’re still keeping the basis behind what the organization because being around for 75 years is a real accomplishment.”