Local women’s group hosts Summer Market to support local causes and community
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Sherbrooke & District branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) is gearing up for its much-anticipated Summer Market this weekend. The two-day event will be held at the Lennoxville United Church, 6 Church Street, on Aug. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market, open to everyone, will feature an array of items, including books, baked goods, jams, jellies, glassware, jewelry, attic treasures, and much more. A silent auction will also take place, offering various items and contributing to the organization’s fundraising efforts.
Geraldine McGurk, a member of the CFUW executive board, explained Aug. 22 that the market is the result of dedicated preparation by the group’s members. “This morning, we were just a whole group of ladies setting up our books and our attic treasures and all our baked goods,” McGurk said. She emphasized that while the market raises money for the CFUW, the funds also support local causes. “Last year, we donated $500 to two different groups. One was Community Aid here in Lennoxville,” she shared.
The CFUW is a longstanding organization aimed at promoting the potential of women, though McGurk was quick to clarify that membership is not limited to those with university degrees. “We haven’t changed our name…but you don’t have to have a university degree,” she explained. The group, originally established by university women in the early 1900s, has evolved over time but remains committed to its mission of supporting women’s education and community involvement.
In addition to its fundraising efforts, the CFUW organizes various interest groups for its members. “We have a walking group that walks every two weeks,” said McGurk. This group has led McGurk and others to explore parts of the Eastern Townships they hadn’t previously visited. “I’ve discovered a whole lot of the Townships through our walking club, places that I’ve never been to before… like Waterville, Windsor, Racine, and more,” she added.
