Like many women’s service organizations of the time, the Vinings Village Woman’s Club started in 1978, primarily through invitations to wives of Vinings Civic Club members.  The organizing meeting’s theme was “Preserving the Beauty of Historic Old World Vinings” … still a guiding focus for the club.

 

Members organized (and still do) and supported (and still do) many fundraisers for a variety of community projects:  flea markets, bake sales, covered dish picnics, Santa Visits to children in their homes for photos, art shows, pine straw sales, booths at Fall Festival, progressive dinners, events around Tablescapes and a mystery bags silent auction, a Tour of Homes, Family Fun-Run/Walks, barbeque dinners, Vinings license plate and sweatshirt sales and FUNdraisers.  A 40th Anniversary Charm was designed by the daughter of an original founder and a longtime member herself, for purchase by members.

An early project started and funded by VVWC was Vinings beautification.  With insights from University of Georgia School of Environmental Design, what started as a landscape idea became reality within just a few years, with installation of the first Vinings Village entry signs and landscaping – still maintained by club members nearly 50 years later.

 

“Preserving the Beauty of Historic Vinings” translated to VVWC members and other volunteers designing and stitching 20 applique squares to make The Vinings Quilt.  Initially housed at the Atlanta History Center, the quilt later found a home behind preservative glass at the newly built Vinings Library.  And, “preserving” by helping turn the Pace House Old Pavilion into an elegant events venue, including through donations toward chairs and chandeliers.  The club also has been called upon to help with repairing and maintaining the Pace and Yarbrough houses.

Meetings and education opportunities were joined by field trips and outings to the Federal Reserve, Calloway Gardens, The Hindu Temple, museums, historic sites, gardens, Kennesaw State University and others.

Club outreach and member connection grew again with the addition of book clubs, happy hours and groups for mah jongg, Pickleball and Bridge.

More partners have come on board for community support and appreciation opportunities:  first responders include two Vinings-area fire stations, the Vinings Library, Teasley Elementary School, Vinings United Methodist Church, LiveSafe Resources and the Shepherd Center.  

Shepherd Center Projects have put club volunteers to work making lap blankets, holiday cards and cheerful tray cards for week-end lunches. Teasley Projects expanded from judging science fairs and other student competitions, erecting “Little Free Library” on school grounds, collecting “Coats for Kids” to VVWC funding school uniforms and mini-computer tablets to help students and teachers during the pandemic.  Classroom Libraries were given for first-year teachers in partnership with Children’s Literature for Children.  

LiveSafe Resources support has included “Birthday Party in a Bag”, coat drives, “setting up a household” provisions, creating a Calming Room to make ‘checking in’ less stressful, Mother’s Day toiletries baskets, and more.

Introduced in 2022, the annual “Vinings Treasure” recognition honors a special, talented Vinings neighbor.