The May Court Club of Chatham is celebrating its 90th anniversary, and its doing so by giving $20,000 to the Chatham-Kent Public Library.
Part of this donation will be directed toward children’s services to add a reading nook, interactive play wall, and a “sort and stack” story kit to the Chatham branch. These items can be moved to the new Chatham-Kent Community Hub when it opens in early 2028.
The reading nook offers children a cozy space for reading and playing, and storage space for picture books supporting their independence. The interactive play wall panels offer a unique way to engage children during play time. Each panel provides interactive elements that help little ones explore their senses.
The story kit collection is very popular at Chatham-Kent Public Library, and the “sort and stack” story kit will make a welcome addition to that collection.
The May Court Club of Chatham is a local service organization dedicated to addressing the needs in our community, primarily those of women and children through volunteerism and fundraising.
During 90 years of service to Chatham-Kent, its members founded the May Court Day Nursery (currently called “Growing Together at May Court”), operated the Bargain Box on King Street, Neighbourhood Centre for needy mothers and children, and recognized outstanding women in our community as Women of Excellence.
The club has two main service projects: the Emergency Lunch Box Programme and the Queen Elizabeth II Breakfast Program.
Members purchase and deliver food and gift cards to 19 schools in Chatham-Kent. This programme feeds well over 180 students daily.
The May Court Club of Chatham dedicates approximately $30,500 to these projects annually.
A third project, the Ann-Marie MacLennan Scholarship for the Arts, named after a past member, rewards a deserving student entering a post-secondary program in the arts or related studies with a $2,500 scholarship.
The May Court Club of Chatham donated $1,000 in 2025 to the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre to help them with the replacement of playground equipment and has been a donor to the library through the Literary Angels program, honouring past members of the club
The May Court Club of Chatham needs new members to continue to support its projects. Interested volunteers can contact [email protected] and find more information by visiting www.maycourtchatham.ca
