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Date: 12/23/2021
AGAWAM — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but low participation in the Fabulous Holiday Decorating Contest has prompted the Agawam Junior Women’s Club to extend the entry deadlines and voting period.
By the end of last week, Donna Shibley, president of the Women’s Club, said there were only four entries. In order for the contest to run, the club needs a minimum of 10 entries. In hopes of receiving more participation from Agawam households, Shibley extended the entry deadline until Dec. 21.
When Shibley and the club created this contest last year, they received over 20 entries. Shibley said she is unsure as to why this year the contest hasn’t been as popular.
Every day, Shibley has posted information about the contest on the Agawam Junior Women’s Club Facebook page. “There seems to be an interest on social media,” she claimed, however, it seems that few have acted upon their interest.
To enter their home’s holiday display in the Holiday Decorating Contest, participants were encouraged to make a $10 donation. All of funds raised through this contest go directly to the club.
“It goes towards our basic funds for holiday basket programs and people who need help,” said Shibley.
She added that proceeds from this fundraiser can support ongoing club projects including scholarships to graduating high school seniors, support of Western Mass. YWCA and support of the Holyoke Soldiers Home.
With hopes of receiving 10 entries by the deadline, Shibley said voting will remain open until Dec. 26. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of best overall, picked by the club’s own judges, and a “town favorite” selected by the people.
Votes for the “town favorite” can be submitted by making a $5 donation to the club by Venmo @GFWCAgawamJunior-WomensClub, or by sending payment with a completed vote form to Holiday Contest/AJWC, P.O Box 332, Agawam, MA 01001. The house being voted for should be identified by address. Voting forms may be found at www.facebook.com/AgawamJuniorWomensClub.
Winners of the contest will be announced on Facebook following the end of voting.
If more entries don’t sign up, Shibley said, this year’s contest will have to be canceled.
The Agawam Junior Women’s Club is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international organization that is dedicated to volunteering within clubs, communities, and internationally. According to Shibley, GFWC has about 80,000 members nationwide.
“We are one of the largest volunteer nonprofit organizations,” she said.
Shibley explained that her club has been volunteering in town for more than 64 years. As a group, they devote their time and focus on kids, seniors, the environment and other causes.
The club has not been able to meet in person during the coronavirus pandemic, but has organized several fundraisers, including the Fall Decorating Contest in October.