Projects

For several years, the Columbian Club has distributed children's books to apartment complexes that had a significant number of needing families. We also have donated Dr. Suess's books, filling in the missing volumes from the Boise City library's collection.

Members of the Columbian Club planted five trees in Borah Park as part of the City of Boise Mayor's goal of 100,000 trees in 10 years.

In partnership with The Cabin in 2014, The Boise Columbian Club hosted a gala dinner event before the lecture by Erik Larsen, the author of "The Devil in the White City," which is set at the Columbian Exposition. It was staged as the Columbian Exposition on the Velma B. Morrison Center for the Arts stage. It was a magical time since our club founders were there at the Exposition in the "White City."

As the founding organization to create a library system and raise funds for the Carnegie Library, the Columbian Club has been recognized by the Boise Public Library and invited to anniversary celebrations.

Annually, the club participates in a day of wrapping Christmas packages that are distributed to homeless veterans.  We have honored the women veterans that reside at Boise's Veteran Home by hosting a tea for them.

The Boise Columbian Club recently was host club to the Idaho State Convention of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in April 2019.  The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is holding their regional conference in Boise in September 2019 and our ladies were instrumental in its success.

The Boise Columbian Club joined with three other organizations to promote voter registration before the 2020 election. Many of our founding members were active in the local suffrage movement. A few members were interviewed for the Idaho Women 100 book.

The Boise Columbian Club is sponsoring the third annual Writing Contest for Boise Schools & West Ada District for 7th & 8th grade students. The topic is "Most Significant Life Altering Technology of the 21st Century" and include its personal impact.  Essays, short stories, or poetry may be submitted. Monetary prizes are to be awarded for three positions in each category.  Entries due by March 1, 2024.

Complete information here.

Starting in 1982, The Boise Columbian Club used the proceeds from the sale of their clubhouse to start a scholarship fund at Boise State University.  Over the past 37 years, the Boise Columbian Club has funded $76,000 in scholarships.

A permanent show of giving back to the community are the 24 benches along the Boise Greenbelt.  All have a plaque next to them “Donated by GFWC Boise Columbian Club.”  We participated with a booth during the Greenbelt's 50th celebration.

In late summer Interfaith Sanctuary put out a call for their need for hygiene items. The Columbian Club went to work gathering hygiene items. Members of this committee pitched large clear gift bags filled with items for men and women. Purchased for men; razors, shave cream, deodorant, comb, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. Women’s bags included; shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, comb and soap. Committee members created an assembly line to fill the bags. The Club also purchased large bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. In addition, we bought new undergarments of all sizes and types for men and women.

Members have generously given monetary donations to many organizations, including:  The Bishop's House, Booth Memorial School/Salvation Army, Giraffe Laugh, Operation Smile, The Shoe That Grows, among others.

The Boise Columbian Club in 2001 spearheaded the renovation of the O’Farrell Cabin by organizing work crews to take it apart log by log, then reconstruct it properly.  At the Boise Senior Center, our substantial contribution resulted in a room named for the Boise Columbian Club.