For more than eight decades, members of a Jefferson Parish organization have been quietly working behind the scenes to help the community, with activities ranging from donating bulletproof vests to the Sheriff's Office, to giving books to young children and providing toiletries to the homeless.

Jefferson Volunteers for Family and Community (JVFC), which consists of five clubs and about 90 members, recently celebrated its 84th anniversary at a luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Marrero.

A member of the statewide organization Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community , the Jefferson Parish chapter works in partnership with the LSU Ag Center. Twelve member parishes throughout Louisiana are a part of the state group.

“We were organized on May 23, 1940, with six clubs and 230 members,” said Beverly Madere, a longtime member and past president. “We were first called the Jefferson Parish Extension Homemakers Council of Homemakers Clubs. Then we reorganized in June 1968 with 42 clubs and 1,100 members. The name changed again at the turn of this century to Jefferson Volunteers for Family and Community to more reflect our group’s focus and activities.”

The current clubs are Little Farms, with 11 members from River Ridge; Triple H, which stands for happy, healthy homes and has 40 members from Marrero; Magnolia, with seven members from Gretna; the Domestic Engineers of Bissonet, with 15 members from Metairie; and the newest club, the Sunshine Ladies, which has 20 members from throughout the west bank.

“Individual clubs don’t receive state money, but grants are available to help with local programming and community work,” Madere explained.

All of the Jefferson Parish clubs participate in Care Bags, a project providing essential items for area nonprofit organizations.

“The bags contain toiletries and items specific to the needs of the group requesting them, such as socks for the homeless and coloring books and small games for the Ronald McDonald House,” Madere said. “Additionally, members collect supplies for ARC of Jefferson and the New Orleans Medical Mission.

“We also give birthday books to kindergarten and first-grade students at C.T. Janet Elementary in Marrero and Green Park Elementary in Metairie, to support our focus on the importance of literacy.”

At its anniversary luncheon, JVFC donated a bulletproof vest to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the third in the last 18 months.

Mary Rose Koop, JVFC president since 2022, has been a member of Triple H for four years. “I could see from the beginning what good things the organization was doing for Jefferson Parish," she said. "It’s a great way to find your purpose and do something for others.

“The best part of being president is that I get to meet and work alongside many women who are amazing, strong and funny. We are trying to make a difference in the community by giving of our talents and our time.”

Over the years, Madere said, the clubs have transitioned to stay more connected with changing times, including updating the noun previously used to describe the membership.

“When we started, we were known as ‘homemakers’ who were in the kitchen, staying home and concerned about what impacted our family,” Madere said. “We have always been concerned with the well-being of our families, and now we seek to help make changes in the community in areas such as literacy, child advocacy and the environment.

“It’s hard to say how important these clubs are to the members because friendships are a big part of being in JVFC. These are women who are work on community service projects together and at the same time, are also there for each.”

If you are interested in joining, call (504) 736-6519.