June E Nelson Philanthropic Awards
June E. Nelson Philanthropic Awards
2020 has been a tough year for many of us but for the ladies of GFWC Pleasant Prairie Woman's Club it was especially hard because we lost a woman who not only has been in GFWC Pleasant Prairie Woman's Club every year since we began in 1964 but June E. Nelson was one of the ladies that formed our club sitting around her kitchen table with her mother Doris Glacken and sister Charlene Nelson.. These woman had a deep rooted desire to help out community and the many wonderful people within it. In honor of a great woman and to remember her and her importance to our club, it has been decided that from now on our philanthropic awards that we present each May will now be called the June E Nelson Philanthropic Awards. God bless June and may your spirit carry on in all the good works we continue to do.
GFWC - Pleasant Prairie Woman's Club is all about bettering our communities, our youth, our families and our lives. With this in mind, we are always trying to help our community and its residents. We have provided pj's to a shelter that helps victims of domestic violence, we have supplied tools and equipment to a charity garden so it can provide fresh fruits and veggies to our food pantry's and soup kitchens, we purchased emergency backpacks for our homeless residents, and we have even made blankets for our elderly to stay warm during our cold winter months. If we know about a need in our community we try to do what we can to make someone else's load a little bit lighter.
How do we choose who receives assistance? Every member of GFWC - Pleasant Prairie Woman's Club plays a vital role in the selection process. Each member is given the opportunity to nominate any local organization that they feel is deserving. These nominations are collected by our Philanthropic Committee who confirm all the donation criteria is met then presents them to the Club for a vote. Once voted on and approved, we celebrate these recipients at our fall meeting.
2025 Philanthropic Recipients
Scouts BSA Troop 1865 Kenosha
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Learn more here.
God’s Kitchen of Kenosha
God’s Kitchen of Kenosha is a nonprofit organization. God sent me on a mission to go and start on 60th Street and 22nd Avenue to 63rd Street and 22nd Avenue to feed the unfortunate ones everyday twice a day. God’s Kitchen is about feeding, clothing and soon to be sheltering the unfortunate ones in our community with love and understanding without judgement or prejudice. Learn more here.
Circle of Hope
The Circle of Hope gives grants to breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. These grants are used to help women in Kenosha pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance. Learn more here.
Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum
To cultivate appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of our natural and local heritage through environmental education and sanctuary preservation. Learn more here.
Grace Welcome Center
Grace Welcome Center Food Pantry was created in 2019 as a direct response to our immediate neighbors crying out for food assistance. Learn more here.
HOPE HUB Community Center
HOPE HUB Community Center furthers our mission of maximizing the potential of the people we serve. Individuals in our community often do not know where to go to get help. HOPE HUB Community Center will enable people to get the services, case management, and wrap-around services that they need to continue to make a better life for themselves and their families. HOPE HUB functions as a one-stop shop. Learn more here.
2025 Philanthropic Recipients
Kenosha County K9 Patrol Deputy John Booth and K9 Riv
The Sheriff’s Department reintroduced the K9 units in 2005 after a 30-year absence.
To learn more, please see their site here.
1Hope Communit
1Hope Community brings the community together to support Foster Families through prayer, intentional giving and compassionate relationship building. Currently supporting 80 foster families;145 foster kids. Funds
Pleasant Prairie RecPlex Therapeutic Recreation Department “Discovery Program”
Pleasant Prairie RecPlex Therapeutic Recreation Department “Discovery Program”
Pleasant Prairie RecPlex Therapeutic Recreation Department “Discovery Program”
The Pleasant Prairie RecPlex Discovery Adaptive Summer Camp is an 11-week program for individuals over 18, featuring therapeutic activities like boating, swimming, field trips, arts and crafts, and games. This specialized program operates under the Therapeutic Recreation department, providing adapted experiences for participants with special needs. 
Village of Pleasant Prairie Rec Plex +3Key Program Details (Discovery Adaptive Summer Camp):
- Target Audience: Adults over 18 years old.
- Duration: 11-week camp.
- Activities: Swimming, boating, field trips, camp songs, games, and crafts.
- Location: Village of Pleasant Prairie Rec Plex. Village of Pleasant Prairie Rec Plex
For younger participants, the RecPlex also offers the Trekkers Summer Camp (ages 7–18), which is a 12-week program integrated with mainstream activities, including sports, swimming, and arts and crafts.
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Pleasant Prairie RecPlex Therapeutic Recreation Department “Discovery Program”
Pleasant Prairie RecPlex Therapeutic Recreation Department “Discovery Program”
2025 Philanthropic Recipients
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park is in the process of being developed with an emphasis on sustainable living education, recreation and veteran focused amenities. The former KD Park was renamed in 2020 as a tribute for military service for those that are serving and have served. The KCVMP encompasses 335 acres of land with a 39-acre lake and over 5 miles of maintain walking or cross-country tails throughout the park. Kayaking, canoeing and boating (with electric trolling motor only) activities can also be enjoyed as well as fishing, picnicking, and utilizing the dog park.
This new park is important to me because I have several family members who are veterans including my husband and father. In addition, I worked at the VA Medical Center in North Chicago for 36 years and it was a privilege to serve our nation’s heroes, to get to hear their stories, to learn about and appreciate them and their sacrifices to our country.
I feel it is very important for anyone, especially our veterans, to have a beautiful place to experience nature, exercise, relax and recharge. I did not know this park was available for use and am looking forward to checking it out with my husband this spring.
Pleasant Prairie History Museum
Pleasant Prairie Historical Society’s mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit locally important archaeological, historical, and cultural materials and sites, and provide educational opportunities to promote an appreciation of Pleasant Prairie’s historical significance.
To learn more about them, please see their site here.
Village of Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together and offer person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul. To learn more click here
Village of Pleasant Prairie Patrol Bureau Canine Unit
Sergeant Michael Algiers is the K-9 handler of “Chase”. Chase is considered a multi-purpose police dog that can assist in tracking people, lost children, people with dementia, and suspects attempting to evade officers. Chase can also perform drug searches and provide officer protection during escalated events.
Pleasant Prairie Police Department
This year in addition to our annual donation to the Pleasant Prairie Police Department we also made Mugs of Hugs for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Learn more here.
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park is in the process of being developed with an emphasis on sustainable living education, recreation and veteran focused amenities. The former KD Park was renamed in 2020 as a tribute for military service for those that are serving and have served. The KCVMP encompasses 335 acres of land with a 39-acre lake and over 5 miles of maintain walking or cross-country tails throughout the park. Kayaking, canoeing and boating (with electric trolling motor only) activities can also be enjoyed as well as fishing, picnicking, and utilizing the dog park.
This new park is important to me because I have several family members who are veterans including my husband and father. In addition, I worked at the VA Medical Center in North Chicago for 36 years and it was a privilege to serve our nation’s heroes, to get to hear their stories, to learn about and appreciate them and their sacrifices to our country.
I feel it is very important for anyone, especially our veterans, to have a beautiful place to experience nature, exercise, relax and recharge. I did not know this park was available for use and am looking forward to checking it out with my husband this spring.