FORT DRUM — The Fort Drum Officers' Spouses' Club gave awards to 14 recipients Wednesday at a scholarship luncheon at the Commons restaurant complex.
"We raise money for the whole year to give it away in scholarships and welfare," said Maryann G. Pflatzgraff, president of the Officers' Spouses' Club.
At the event, recipients were awarded $100 to $3,000 scholarships and the OSC made donations to 19 local nonprofit organizations, including the Watertown Urban Mission, Hawn Memorial Library, USO Fort Drum and Watertown Family YMCA.
High school students given awards at the event were Colleen DeRonda, Julianna Echeverri, Kelsey Kuchahn, Sean McCarthy, Stephanie Blank, Alanna Piroli, Sarah Martin and Felicia French. College students were Nicholaus Brencher, Nikki Weickum and Brianna McGuire. Military spouses were Hannah Kavanaugh, Cassidy Seiler and Julie Thenn. All three spouses are heading to or attending graduate school.
Spouses and children of active-duty, reserved or retired soldiers from Jefferson or St. Lawrence counties bound for or attending college are eligible to apply for the OSC scholarships.
The Indian River High School Jazz Rock Ensemble performed at the luncheon.
"Our goal is to foster a sense of community. Fort Drum really receives a lot of community support and we try to give back," Mrs. Pfaltzgraff said.
The club holds two major fundraisers annually, and many small ones also are held, including a craft and antique fair in November and a spring fundraiser.
According to Mrs. Pflatzgraff, volunteers at the organization worked 5,000 hours and raised more than $19,000 this year.
The club gave away $12,000 in welfare and $7,000 in scholarships.
Although most club members are spouses of military personnel, one doesn't have to be an officer's spouse to be a member of the club.
"We have honorary members that we've extended our hands to," Mrs. Pfaltzgraff said.
The club has been operating since long before Camp Drum was designated Fort Drum in 1974.
"I've been on the wives' club since 1968," Barbara N. Webber said.
Mrs. Webber said the organization had 20 members when she joined 40 years ago. Now it has 200 members.
"It's truly a wonderful organization," Mrs. Webber said.
