PHOTO: Rita Ackerman (on left) of the Athenaeum Club, presenting a new donation to the Whitman County Library.

The Athenaeum Club of Colfax recently donated a new book to the Whitman County Library through their library book project. The club has been donating books since 1963, giving back to the community. This year the library book committee, looking at women’s mental health and self-care, donated Maria Shriver’s book, “I’ve been thinking … reflections, prayers, and meditations for a meaningful life”

The Athenaeum Club was organized in 1895, and is one of the oldest women’s clubs in Washington State. Athenaeum has contributed to the community through committees that decide how to spend club funds for civic improvements. A couple of these many projects include donating books to Whitman County Library and holding art and poetry contests for junior and senior high school students in Colfax schools.