The GFWC/Iowa Toledo Woman’s Club held their October meeting at the Toledo Library with 11 members and 1 guest in attendance. Hostesses were Donna Lasser, Marlene Eernisse and Karen Havran serving the dessert lunch.

Our speaker was Keegan Bierkiet, a service dog trainer from Waverly. She brought a service dog that is in the first year of training. They begin training when the puppy is 8 weeks old and train until the dog is 22 to 24 months old. The dog she brought has already been matched with a Veteran. Since the Veteran lives in Waterloo he has been able to meet with “Henley” at least a couple of times a month on average, so they can become familiar with each other. She told how if someone has been seriously burned, they must be matched up with a non-shedding dog, so no hair can become embedded in the person’s skin. They train dogs for to be used for Depression, PTSD, Seizures and physical disabilities. Placement of the animals is usually about 65%. Some of the dogs can’t make it though all they need to be trained for. The service has their own breeding program so they can better match the needs of the recipient. There is no charge for the recipient for their dog. They are funded 20% by grants and 80% donations to the center. Our members took up a collection to give to the center.

Following the program, Donna called the meeting to order with the Pledge to the Flag. She also read a poem “Song for October.” She thanked the other hostesses for helping. Secretary Carolyn Anderson read the September minutes and Treasurer Marlene gave the Financial Report. We voted to return the dues to 2 members who needed to drop their memberships.

Ann McMullin gave the Conservation news Clean up Green Committee. Earlene Bacon gave a report on Public Policy “pay attention to what is going on around you.” Sylvia Johnson gave the Federated News, giving several ideas about Domestic Violence. She also reported that September is also child cancer awareness. March of Dimes gives baby blankets and the Red Cross gives military families a baby blanket for a newborn. It was announced that Donna Lasser, Marlene Eernisse, Earlene Bacon and Karen Havran would be attending the SE District Annual Meeting and would be in charge of the “Country Market.” The meeting was adjourned following the group reciting the Club Collect.

The SE District Annual Meeting was held in Muscatine at the Wesley Methodist church. It was surprising, as that was where Pastor Brian Oliver was sent when he left the Toledo, Tama and Montour Methodist churches in July. When he found out that Marlene, Earlene and Karen would be attending, he made it a point to come to the church Saturday morning to visit with us.