by APRIL LEWIS Cascade A&E Feature Writer

The General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) is sponsoring their Chair-ity for Children event for its eighth year, with the proceeds to benefit Sparrow Clubs of Central Oregon. 25 chairs will be painted and designed by local professional artists, student artists and local clubwomen and displayed during the month of April in selected Redmond businesses sponsoring the chairs. 

Joann Wheeler, chair for the event says, “There is great satisfaction in seeing the community coming together.” She believes it is important to give back to her community and enjoys her time in volunteer involvement.

Wheeler founded the GFWC in Central Oregon in 2003 and got the idea for Chair-ity for Children at a conference she attended through the club. The mission of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international women’s organization, is the dedication to community improvement by enhancing the lives through volunteer service. With volunteer dedication, Wheeler and the club members have gained support from the local community, artists and students to spearhead this event, which has brought in $14,000 in donations to the Sparrow Clubs. 

The artists creating the chairs have the freedom to design and paint to their own inspirations. In years past, there have been various themes ranging from gardening, butterflies and nature, even one called the Red Chair winning the highest bid in 2012. Most chairs have brought in bids more than $50, with the highest bid at $350.

A $100 art scholarship will go to a student with the rest of the proceeds benefiting the Sparrow Clubs. As artists complete their chairs, pictures will be displayed on the Facebook page.

On April 19, Walk the Art Beat in Downtown Redmond will feature student artists and the Chair-ity for Children Chairs.

Joann Wheeler, 541-279-1441, jwii@msn.com, www.gfwccentralor.org, www.sparrowclubs.org.