Zonta Club of Trenton-Mercer celebrates family through art-essay contest

The Zonta Club of Trenton-Mercer, USA, in collaboration with the New Jersey Commission on the Status of Women, hosted the Day of the Family Art-Essay Contest award presentations. This annual contest, open to K-8 grade students across Mercer County, NJ, prompts participants to reflect on the question, 'What does family mean to you?'

Participants express their thoughts through artwork or essays, with younger students illustrating their families and older students articulating the significance of family in their lives. Twenty winners were chosen, ensuring representation from each school, and are honored with certificates and $25 gift cards.

At the ceremony, attended by parents, teachers, and principals, each winner could share their essay and describe their artwork. Mercer County Chief Executive Dan Benson also assisted with certificate presentations.

To foster community engagement, the NJ Commission on the Status of Women provided a light sandwich dinner for all attendees. Nancy Thomson, a Zonta member of over 25 years, has coordinated this program, which has become a cherished tradition in Mercer County for more than a decade. The contest serves as a meaningful collaboration with state commission, schools, parents and especially children.

100 bags of groceries donated to local food bank

From 4 April to 2 May, members of the Zonta Club of Trenton-Mercer, USA, rallied together to support the CYO Bromley Center Food Bank in Trenton, NJ, by donating non-perishable items and collecting over $500 in gift cards from friends and neighbors. The culmination of this effort took place during the May business meeting hosted by Club President Judy Levy.

Recognizing food insecurity's significant role in various societal challenges, including homelessness and domestic abuse, the club aimed to address this issue directly by supporting local food banks. In high-cost areas like New Jersey, where rent often competes with food expenses, such initiatives become crucial in ensuring the well-being of families.

Judy expressed her gratitude, stating, "We were thrilled to provide this life-saving support to the women and families of our community. Our goal was to collect 60+ bags of groceries but achieving 100 bags was extraordinary."

To facilitate easy transportation, donations were delivered in reusable grocery bags. The project garnered strong community support through online and local newspaper advertisements, reflecting the club's commitment to alleviating food insecurity among women and families in need.