The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is one of the world's largest and oldest women's volunteer service organizations. Working locally through thousands of clubs in the United States and globally in more than 20 countries, GFWC members support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, stress civic involvement, and work toward world peace and understanding. Each local chapter benefits from membership, service, material, and program support from state and national Federation levels. GFWC members across the globe are united in their mission of improving communities through volunteer service. Annually, GFWC members volunteer over 13 million hours and contribute approximately $35 million through more than 160,000 club projects. The GFWC structure allows member clubs to address the emerging needs of individual communities and the nation, and respond quickly to calls for help. GFWC provides its members with model programs and projects that encompass the major issues of our time including women's health, preservation of natural resources, literacy, abuse prevention, equality and more. Our Education Programs include literacy activities including tutoring have been a staple of GFWC programs for many years. The Reading for Life programpromotes a commitment to lifelong learning by encouraging members and others to foster and supporteducational opportunities in their communities. The objective of our Be Cool After School program is to educate members and others about the value of and need for quality after school programs.  Members are encouraged to support after school initiatives.