GFWC Intermediate League Lends Assistance with Antiques Show and Other Community Projects

By Paula Green

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is an international organization founded by Jane Cunningham Croly on April 24, 1890. The local chapter, GFWC Intermediate League, started in Butler in 1950. It was created as a club for women whose ages fell between those of the junior and senior women’s clubs. A candidate for membership should be at least 21 years of age.

For 76 years, GFWC members have worked diligently to support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, stress civic involvement, and work towards world peace and understanding.

GFWC Intermediate League has one annual treasure shopping tradition that draws folks out in droves. Their Antiques Show and Sale, held in March, draws around 1,200 attendees. This year, the 74th Annual Show is set for March 20-22 at a new location, the Tesla BioHealing Wellness Hotel, in Butler Township.

“The Intermediate League has held an Antiques Show and Sale annually since its inception in 1950, with only two interruptions due to COVID-19. The show has earned a reputation as one of the premier antiques events in Southwestern Pennsylvania, featuring over 36 distinguished dealers. The purpose of the show is to raise funds to support community projects,” said GFWC Intermediate League, Antiques Show Chairwoman, Anne Miller.

This show and sale presents a fabulous opportunity for collectors to acquire rare finds, and for those curious to learn about the value of the antiques. Numerous dealers from the mid-Atlantic will be selling antique furniture, paintings, clocks, rugs, porcelain, and vintage collectibles.

“The Antique Show is our chief and biggest fundraiser. Each member is required to help with the show and sell show tickets, as well as quilt tickets for the queen-sized quilt, which is raffled,” said GFWC’s Intermediate League President, Yolanda Cypher.

Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will benefit: Butler Area Public Library, Butler County Symphony, Butler Intermediate High School Best Buddies, Butler Little Theatre, Children’s Advocacy Center, Community Health Center, Community Meals Ministry, Gaiser Center, Isaiah 117 House, Kids Weekend BackPack Program, Lifesteps, Maridon Museum, Musical Theatre Guild, and VOICe.

An event of this magnitude is a huge undertaking. Anne noted that the planning phase is quite lengthy.

“We literally begin planning the next show during the current show, so it is a year-long effort. We have many loyal dealers, and we talk with them to assess their needs and determine whether they plan to return the following year. Our show has a waiting list of dealers who would like to participate. This year, we have 36 dealers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.”

The hours for the event are Friday, March 20, 6 pm—9 pm; Saturday, March 21, 10 am—5 pm; and Sunday, March 22, 10 am—3 pm.

In addition to the Antiques Show & Sale, GFWC members help with other community projects.

“Our members coordinate with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to plant the Gateway Gardens at the entrance to Butler on Route 8 North. We help with the children’s parties at the Butler Library and with ARC. We’ve worked with Stand Down to donate, collect, and pack the items veterans need. We support female veterans at the VA Health Center each November with gift cards to Walmart and ALDI, as well as providing neck pillows to veterans in the hospice unit. Our members donated hygiene products for VOICe. We’ll be assisting with the Diaper Bag project by donating and packing 30 diaper bags. We’ve provided the Backpack program with volunteer work as well as donating needed food items,” said Yolanda.

“Each year, we support a GFWC-affiliated partner such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Canine Companions, Heifer International, Hope for Justice, March of Dimes, Operation Smile, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and UNICEF. In 2025, we supported Hope for Justice, an organization that promotes and supports awareness of human trafficking, with a donation of almost $900 through a fundraiser within the membership,” Yolanda added.

For information on the GFWC Intermediate League of Butler, visit www.intermediateleague.org/,

or Facebook www.facebook.com/gfwcintermediateleaguebutler.

For details on the Intermediate League’s Antiques Show & Sale, visit pittsburghantiques.net/shows/butler-antiques-show-and-sale/.