Orchard Place Volunteer is a Part of Club History

The Des Moines Women’s Club has had a long tradition of volunteerism. One of our many members carrying on this tradition is Joann Young. This year she received the Orchard Place volunteer of the year award.  Each week for 12 years Joann has played games with the young residents of Orchard Place.  She has taught them many different games through the years and their current favorite is Bingo.  She provides a wide selection of bingo prizes for them each week.

Joann follows a long history of club support for Orchard Place.  In November 1886, a club member, Elizabeth Mann and two of her friends established the city’s first orphanage called “Des Moines Home for Friendless Children” after a three-day old boy was left at Elizabeth’s door step.

Mann and other club members served as board members and helped fund the orphanage for years with donations and tag sales.  In the 1920s the orphanage name was changed to Des Moines Children’s Home and later to Orchard Place.  Orchard place is just one year younger than Des Moines Women’s Club!

Thanks to Joann for helping to carry on the DMWC volunteer tradition.  If you know of other member volunteer stories, please let us know.