By Christine Galeone, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – At Dean Park, just a stone’s throw from the lake, there is a patch of land that has been rejuvenated. The lush little parcel has been nurtured by the Shrewsbury Social Club (SSC). But the care the SSC provides extends far beyond the park. Like that plot of land, the lives of many of its approximately 80 members have been revitalized. One of them – Kerry Tylicki – has experienced this renewal due to meaningful connections she’s formed in the club.
In 2011, Tylicki moved to Shrewsbury. Recently divorced from her husband – with a daughter in college – she found herself with an empty nest and a need to meet people in her new town. Since she had always been interested in helping others, she originally looked for charities that she could volunteer for. That was when she discovered the social club. The nonprofit organization offering local women social and civic opportunities through its many interest groups, activities, events and charity drives welcomed her and embraced her altruism. The club immediately named Tylicki its service chair.
In addition to managing the service interest groups, the service chair is in charge of the nonprofit’s charitable events, drives and activities. This includes collecting school supplies for public school students, collecting toiletries and cold weather clothing accessories for St. Anne’s Human Services program, and holding an annual bake sale for local food pantries. Tylicki also helps distribute funds to programs and nonprofits like Veterans, Inc., Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, SELCO’s Share the Warmth program, and St. Anne’s Food Pantry.
“I really enjoy the service aspect of it. I really enjoy being able to give back to the community in that way,” Tylicki said. “They’re always so happy and so appreciative, and that makes me feel really good. And I’ve made a lot of friends.”
Tylicki also enjoyed participating in the club’s newest service endeavor – nurturing that patch of serenity in Dean Park. Through Shrewsbury Garden Club’s Adopt-a-Plot program, the social club members tended to the plot nearly every other day. Although she admitted that she’s “not a very good gardener,” she said she has found beautifying part of a park she loves very fulfilling. She is also thankful to the “great volunteers” who maintained the plot with her.
While Tylicki is looking forward to the club’s upcoming annual drives and bake sale, she said she is also eager to take part in the club’s Halloween event at the Shrewsbury Public Library. In addition to sponsoring a Sunday at the library each year, the club participates in a Halloween event, in which members offer cider and fun craft projects for children. But, most of all, it’s the roots in the community, nurtured by the Shrewsbury Social Club, that has enriched Tylicki’s life in a myriad of ways.
The energetic service chair, who started a game night interest group and also belongs to the SSC’s golf and daytime book club groups, said she can sum it up in one word – connections.
“I moved to Shrewsbury, and I didn’t know anyone,” she said. “Now, I have connections to Shrewsbury and a great group of ladies.”
Women who would like to join the SSC may attend a couple of the club’s free member events Membership is $20 per year. For more information about the club, visit www.shrewsburysocialclub.org.