April Meeting Highlights
State President Debbie McAllen acknowledged Jo Banks, winner of the state Jennie June Award.
This award is the highest national honor bestowed by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) to recognize individual members for personal excellence and outstanding commitment to their clubs, communities, and families. Debbie highlighted Jo’s many accomplishments on behalf of Progress Club, Friends of Tomas Branigan Memorial Library, teacher of GED classes, as well as a room mother, CCD teacher, PTA officer, 4H leader and Little League baseball team mother.
Debbie noted that she could not think of anyone more deserving of this honor.
This award is the highest national honor bestowed by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) to recognize individual members for personal excellence and outstanding commitment to their clubs, communities, and families. Debbie highlighted Jo’s many accomplishments on behalf of Progress Club, Friends of Tomas Branigan Memorial Library, teacher of GED classes, as well as a room mother, CCD teacher, PTA officer, 4H leader and Little League baseball team mother.
Debbie noted that she could not think of anyone more deserving of this honor.
Outgoing President Chayo Garcia asked members to describe what the GFWC Progress Club has brought to their lives.
There were many thoughtful and heartfelt answers with the consensus that membership in Progress Club has enriched us all in a variety of ways.
After that, Chayo thanked all Committee Chairs and the Executive Board members with gifts of local honey and pecans for their work during her administration.
There were many thoughtful and heartfelt answers with the consensus that membership in Progress Club has enriched us all in a variety of ways.
After that, Chayo thanked all Committee Chairs and the Executive Board members with gifts of local honey and pecans for their work during her administration.
The annual Water Conservation Contest was organized by Robin Cline. Robin announced the three top winners: Keira Floyd of Fairacres Elementary, Alexander Garcia of Mesilla Park Community Elementary, and Linus Harrelson of Fairacres Elementary.
April's Member of the Month is Laurie Findley.
March Meeting Highlights
March is Writing Contest Month and our prize-winning student writer this year is Kayden Carrillo, a ninth grader at Organ Mountain High School. Pictured above, from left, Kayden reading his story while his sister, August, holds the mike; Kayden showing his book on writing, part of his award from Progress Club; Kayden flanked by Adrian Galaz, Assistant Principal, Linda Gibbons, Education Committee, and Chayo Garcia, Progress Club President, who presented him with his prize check.
Janella Welch, Progress Club member, reading her story and accepting her award certificate from Linda and Chayo.
Debbie McAllen, President of GFWC New Mexico, described her trip to Honduras in February to see how our donations to Heifer International are used in their beekeeping and coffee industries.
March's Member of the Month is Linda Gibbons.
February Meeting Highlights
Above, our guest speaker was Christine Sanchez of Christ Child Circle, an organization with an annual "baby shower" to collect layette items, which are later packaged and given to single mothers and families needing support. Pictured are Christine Sanchez and Evelyn Rivera accepting donations from Progress Club President Chayo Garcia, with Minel Schlaefli.
Pictured below: our Club members' donated items.
Pictured below: our Club members' donated items.
February's Member of the Month is Lynn Zeemont.
January 2026 Meeting Highlights
Above left, President Chayo Garcia and Vice-President Elect Mary Wilke with Jacob Pena, our guest speaker who with his wife Kayla operates the non-profits On the Bright Side Recovery LLC and Know Pain 501(c)(3). These organizations support individuals on their journey toward mental health recovery with temporary housing, advocacy, peer-led programs and access to mental health resources.
Above right, Hospitality Chair Jo Banks, at right, presents birthday greetings to Alice Stull and Debby Fleming.
Above right, Hospitality Chair Jo Banks, at right, presents birthday greetings to Alice Stull and Debby Fleming.
Above left, books donated by members to be given to students at Mesilla Park Community School.
At right, a member of the school staff receives the donations. For some children, this will be the only book they own.
At right, a member of the school staff receives the donations. For some children, this will be the only book they own.
January's Member of the Month is Janella Welch.
December 2025 Luncheon
As always, we began with a collection ... and ended with happy faces!
December's Member of the Month is Margie Herberger.
November Meeting Highlights
Left: Ron Cavill of Cavill & Company, Platinum Sponsor of our Golf Tournament for the past 6 years, spoke to the group about his appreciation of the Progress Club. (More on Sponsor Page.)
Right: Gloria from La Casa thanked the Club for participation in the annual Holiday Bazaar fundraiser, noting that our Club's "Santa's Surprise" booth is one of the most popular.
Right: Gloria from La Casa thanked the Club for participation in the annual Holiday Bazaar fundraiser, noting that our Club's "Santa's Surprise" booth is one of the most popular.
Left: Lorraine Padilla spoke about Mesilla Valley Hospice and received a donation from Vice-President Mary Wilke with Mary Underwood, Progress Club member and Hospice volunteer.
Center: Val Redington, Chair of the Legislative and Public Policy Committee, spoke about history and impact of GFWC members on Congressional legislation , urging all to sign up for Legislative Alerts on the GFWC website.
Right: Friendship Chair Jo Banks with November birthday ladies Sally Harper and Brenda Weber.
Center: Val Redington, Chair of the Legislative and Public Policy Committee, spoke about history and impact of GFWC members on Congressional legislation , urging all to sign up for Legislative Alerts on the GFWC website.
Right: Friendship Chair Jo Banks with November birthday ladies Sally Harper and Brenda Weber.
November's Member of the Month is Debbie Campbell.
October Meeting Highlights
Left: Kelly Koerper of Bridle Up Hope Las Cruces accepted the Progress Club's donation from Vice President Mary Wilke.
Right: Friendship Chair Jo Banks with October birthday ladies Susan Cavill and Yvette Garrett.
Right: Friendship Chair Jo Banks with October birthday ladies Susan Cavill and Yvette Garrett.
October's Member of the Month is Jo Banks.
September Meeting Highlights
Left: Jo Banks with October birthdays - Robin Cline, Shyla Newton, Margaret Beck, Patti Daniels.
Center: From Make A Wish NM, Chris Woods, Kristie Buchanan, and DeAnn Rocha accepting a donation from President Chayo.
Right: items collected for La Casa, emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, as part of the GFWC National Day of Service.
Center: From Make A Wish NM, Chris Woods, Kristie Buchanan, and DeAnn Rocha accepting a donation from President Chayo.
Right: items collected for La Casa, emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, as part of the GFWC National Day of Service.
September's Member of the Month is Laura Crews-Carreon.
