GULF SHORES, Ala. — In 1948, when 17 wives gathered during their husbands’ weekly Lions Club meeting, a service organization formed that would spend the next 60 years giving back to its community. Now, the Gulf Shores Woman’s Club and its more than 80 members are celebrating six decades of charity they have provided to the Gulf Coast.

Today, members are gathering for their monthly meeting to celebrate the hard work that has been done over the years. Both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have designated April as the Gulf Shores Woman’s Club Month to recognize the occasion.

“We’ve been so fortunate that we want to give back,” club president Wilma Trent said. “One person might not think they can make a difference but when you put several people together it can make a big difference in someone’s lives.”

The club was instrumental in the formation of the Thomas B. Norton Library in Gulf Shores. Its members worked on and published two books about the history of Gulf Shores called “Once Upon an Island” volumes one and two.

They are the presenters of the annual Tour of Homes, and just recently finished their 32nd tour. The Tour of Homes is the club’s largest fundraiser, which is used to support numerous scholarships and projects in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley areas.

Not only the money, but the hours donated by members affect clubs all over the Gulf Coast and internationally. The Lighthouse Woman’s Shelter, Mary’s Shelter and Christian Service Center are some of the organizations that benefit from the GSWC. They have worked to build a well in Malawi and have sent clothes and school supplies to girls in Afghanistan.

“We’re not just a lunch bunch,” Trent said. “We’re all for helping our community in any way.”

They give to the arts, conservation, education, home life, international affairs, leadership and public affairs, like literacy. In 2008 they gave $15,000 to their projects.

The club has a longstanding relationship with the Gulf Shores High School Juniorettes Club. The Juniorettes is also a service club that is very active in the community, according to GSWC advisor Janice Moss. She said the club has a strong membership and is constantly working to improve the island and the world.

“The purpose of the Juniorettes is to mentor young women, influence their decisions and show the benefits of volunteering,” Moss said.

She said being a member of the Juniorettes is also a precursor to being a member of the GSWC.

The GSWC is affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is the world’s oldest nonpartisan, nondenominational women’s volunteer service organization. The GFWC was started in 1890 fueled by a woman news reporter who was denied access to a dinner honoring Charles Dickens at the all-male New York Press Club.

To date, the GFWC is one of the world’s largest women’s clubs, having 6,500 clubs and more than one million members.

To join the GSWC, attend a meeting on the second Wednesday of any month from September through May. The meetings are held at Craft Farms at 11:30 a.m. The membership fee is $50 and it includes a Tour of Homes ticket. Women from all over the area are welcome to join, it is not limited to Gulf Shores residents.

To donate money to the club contact Wilma Trent at 251-980-5722.