Zonta Club of Elmira History
The Elmira Business Women’s Club became the Zonta Club of Elmira in November 1919. It was one of the first five charter clubs of Zonta International.
Since its beginning, the club met weekly, hosted speaker events, and had many fundraising activities to support local, national, and international projects. The club often worked together with other local service clubs, such as the Kiwanis.
Some of the club’s earliest projects were in support of the thrift stamp program for World War I (1919), the Home for the Aged Christmas party (1919), the Near East Relief campaign (1920), and the European Relief Fund (1921). In March 1920 the club held an event celebrating the wives, daughters, sisters, and children of immigrants who had become naturalized since 1917. Other early work during the 1920’s included support of legislation concerning the welfare of women and children.
The Zonta Club of Elmira’s work in the local community continues today. Over the years the club has provided donations and support to many charitable groups, provided educational awards, held summer performing arts camps, held an area talent competition, sponsored a Cinderella Softball team, and sponsored campers for the Eileen Collins Aerospace Camp for children.
In 2017-2018 the club’s support for the community included providing educational awards to area students, holding a “baby shower” for items to support the Southern Tier Pregnancy Resource Center, giving a holiday donation to the Kramer Foundation, and donating to The Potter’s Hands Foundation.
The Zonta Club of Elmira is the only club that owns its own house. The house provides a warm and inviting location for the club’s social and speaker events. The club also runs the Ida V. Shop on the property. This shop sells vintage and new gift items, as well as items made by local artists and artisans. Proceeds from the shop support the club’s projects.