The Saturday Club: Modern Influence on Age-Old Issues

The Saturday Club’s 125-year history of women at the forefront of their time, working for the community around them continues today. For over a century, the members of one of the oldest women’s groups in the country have been reaching out to their community, dealing with social plights, and doing their part to make a difference in their little piece of the world. Over the years these women have kept the spirit of charity and grace alive in a time when traditional values and charm sometimes seem to be forgotten.

“We can loose sight, that in our area that’s considered very affluent, there are people who are really struggling to make ends meet and its gotten worse in the past 3 years with the recession,” said President of The Saturday Club, Jeanne Dechiario.

Following in the footsteps of the members before her, Dechiario, became involved with the club because she wanted something to get involved in, outside of her children’s schools,

Though over a century of time separates the founding and reigning members, The Saturday Club’s women are just as dedicated to tackling the social issues of the day and are determined to keep the club’s legacy going for many years to come.

”One of the reasons that I think we’ll always have a place in the community is that some of the issues that we are dealing with now are the same issues they were dealing with 125 years ago, in a different incarnation,” said Nissa O’Mara, vice president of communications for the club.

Through community service and fundraising, the Saturday Club’s members work to benefit the homelessness, and are continuously addressing issues concerning women and children like health and nutrition, domestic violence and abuse, education, juvenile diabetes, learning differences and disabilities, and autism.

“There were always health issues being addressed,” O’Mara continued. “Whether it’s responding to an epidemic or pandemic in the early 1900’s or it’s responding to some of the newer health issues women and children are dealing with now; homelessness and domestic violence issues that keep coming to the forefront. I think that as long as those things are out there, there will always be a role for us.”  

The schedule of events put forth by The Saturday Club’s reigning board members is one to be admired, with events happening throughout the year including blood and food drives, fashion shows, consignment sales, and an upcoming gala and breakfast to celebrate the club’s 125 year history. With the exception of two part time employees, all of the group’s work and effort is 100% volunteer, and always has been.

Through its fundraising work within the community, The Saturday Club has been able to donate over $750,000 to 75 different charitable organizations in the Philadelphia region, since 2002. The recent state of the economy and the current role of the woman predominately in the workforce speak volumes to what The Saturday Club has been able to accomplish in just the past decade.

But it’s not just about the fundraising arm of the club that has helped it to stay relevant all these years. It’s the hands-on events that are a huge part of how this group accomplishes all of the things it does.

“For Cradles to Crayons members will go and help sort through all their donations for things that are acceptable to pass on and things that aren’t,” said Dechiario. “They always need volunteers for that. We also do drives for goods. For Northern Home, we’ll be doing a Thanksgiving basket collection which will help families who otherwise would not have Thanksgiving.”

But the women of the Saturday Club aren’t the only ones carrying on the legacy of making a difference in the lives of those in the community: supporting husbands and involved children also share in the club’s 125 year tradition.

“Those of us who do have children, involve our children in a lot of ways,” Dechiario continued. “Like the Jared Boxes; the children really like putting together the toys that go into the shoeboxes and are delivered to children who are undergoing cancer treatment in hospitals.”

O’Mara, knows first hand how important involvement is to continuing the Club’s legacy. “I can remember friends of my mother’s 40 years ago were involved,” she said.

“It’s a great way to show your kids how important it is to give back,” O’Mara continued. “Another great one that people do with their kids is for St Mary’s Soup Kitchen We make brown bag lunches once a year; which turns into a big event with a bunch of members and as many kids as members.”

O’Mara has also been working very hard at putting together the club’s 125th Anniversary Gala and Champagne Brunch, two events being held in the coming weeks.

On October 28, The Saturday Club will open its doors to host the area’s members, both past and present, community leaders and supporters for a Black-Tie-Optional Gala at 7pm. There will be cocktails, hors d’oeurves, a raffle and silent auction during the evening.

The gala will be a “fabulous party celebrating all of the things we can do, and hopefully getting people excited for all of the things were getting ready to do in the future,” said O’Mara. “Were going to have a historical display which is going to be a retrospective of different photographs and various pieces of memorabilia from throughout our history.”

With the help of generations before her, keeping records, minutes and other documentation, Saturday Club member, and Retrospective Chairwoman, Colleen Blejwas was able to piece together the 125-year history of the club, which will be on display at the Wayne Avenue club house in celebration of the club’s momentous anniversary.

On Sunday, October 30, The Saturday Club is hosting a Champagne and Strawberries brunch “which will give a second opportunity for people to see that historical retrospective in a more casual setting,” said O’Mara.