Portales Woman’s Club is COOL again!
By Kate Sanchez

 

The Portales Woman’s Club, one of Eastern New Mexico’s oldest community service organizations, recently faced a challenge that few had ever encountered before in the 117 years of the organization operations: the task of raising funds to replace the building’s heating and cooling system. But thanks to word of mouth, and help from another hometown business, the Portales Woman’s Club is back in action and Roosevelt County, once again, proves that it has some of the most generous people around!

 

The building’s heating and cooling unit began giving the club problems in 2017 and at the time, was over 40 years old, according to Sheryl Borden, president of the organization. In 2018, the unit quit working entirely. So, with a goal to raise funds for a new one, Borden and members began taking bids on the job, which ranged anywhere from $4,000-$13,000.

That’s when Eddy Privett and his team at Privett Electric, stepped up to help a local organization in a time of need. “Quaylene (Parkey) came to me and wanted to know if we could help out and how,” Privett recalls, “…and we wanted to give back to the community any way we possibly could.” Borden says Privett did just that and came in with a “wonderful deal” which included lower prices, a ten-year warranty, and donated their labor for installation. The bid was awarded to Privett and Borden says the unit is already installed and working wonderfully.

Borden says that she and the rest of the club are thrilled to have a working air conditioner and now must work on getting the organization paid back for the account money used to purchase the unit. A “Go Fund Me” account and one at James Polk Stone Bank  has been set up to help raise these funds, for anyone who wishes to contribute, but more than anything, Borden says that she and the entire Woman’s Club are very thankful for the time and energy spent by Privett Electric, and everyone who has put forth effort to make this venture possible.

The Portales Woman’s Club is part of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. They are involved in multiple acts of community service, take part in several worthy local causes, and give scholarships to graduating women, just to name a few things. Their club building was built in 1932 and has hosted multiple events over time, such as dances, RUSH for sororities, baptisms, and wedding receptions. The club has one fundraiser per year which is selling peanuts at the Peanut Valley Festival, where the group is the official peanut vendor. Borden says you will typically see 10-12 members present at the event each year.

The Portales Woman’s Club meets nine times per year, September-May, on the second Wednesday of the month at noon. There is a program at each meeting and in September the club will introduce six new members. The Portales Woman’s Club is open to anyone interested in joining. Also now that the building is COOL or WARM depending on the season, you can look for lots more activities to take place in this beautiful building. Contact Sheryl Borden (575) 219-1893 for more information about becoming a member or renting the building for a special event.