CENTER TWP — When the Pioneer Girls started four decades ago, the dues were 25 cents per week.

Dues remain the same, and another constant is Judy McDonald, who since its inception has led the group for girls 7 and older at Community Alliance Church.

The ministry program began in 1939 in Indiana. Currently, there are clubs in about 3,000 churches.

The local club was adopted by Community Alliance 42 years ago, when McDonald was asked to lead by the pastor and felt a call to proceed.

“I love it now as much as the day I started because it is where God wants me to be. We provide a safe place where girls can come and share and do some fun activities and be loved on by us,” McDonald said.

The duties are shared with three other women, Leslie Vinroe, Raylene Miller and 81-year-old Wanda McKinnis of Butler, who has been with the program for more than 30 years. She goes by “Aunt Wanda”.

“I get more out of it than the kids do I'll bet,” chuckled McKinnis, a mother of four with 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“I have the satisfaction of serving where God has led me to serve and love his children,” she added.

McDonald and her team nurture a group of about 30 girls 7 and older.

A typical Monday night meeting during the school year finds the girls arriving at 6:30 p.m. They begin with a social time before playing games and singing songs.

“We include several praise songs toward the end of our song time and then move into a short Bible lesson,” McDonald said.

After the lesson, the girls embark on crafts, baking or special games that McDonald has planned.

There are handbooks and badges the girls work on occasionally but that isn't the focus of their gatherings. Sometimes the groups are broken down by age but much of the evening is spent as one big group.

“We like to center the activities on what the girls need at any given time,” said McDonald, noting much of the book work is on domestic things like sewing, cooking and baking.

The group hosts a Thanksgiving dinner each year, which usually features a special guest and at least five turkeys.

“It is a big potluck and we typically have 100 percent participation by the girls who are asked to invite their families,” she said.

The girls also are assigned prayer pals, divided up among 10 or so ladies from the church who volunteer to pray for the girls daily and do special little blessings throughout the year on their birthdays and holidays.

“The prayer pals are special ladies who enjoy lifting the girls up in prayer and showing them love on special occasions. They also come to the parties and functions that we have,” McDonald said.

Themed parties are always a highlight of the year. They've had Mexican fiestas, Hawaiian luaus, a chocolate party and other events — all using proceeds from weekly dues.

“When we started we had some initial funds from the church to get off the ground, but mostly we are now self-sustaining and blessed by the occasional donations from church members,” McDonald said.

The years have been kind to the club, but it has seen its share of changes.

“We used to go camping each year and have bonfires, but we don't do that anymore. We do sponsor an annual trip to Waldameer in Erie for the girls where we spend the entire day at the (amusement) park,” she said.

Young girls have also changed during the four decades of service.

“We see more splintered families and a busier lifestyle for many of the families. We used to have more than 60 girls each year, but average half that now. There are so many things competing for time, especially more sports opportunities for girls,” McDonald explained.

Vicki Weisenstein of Butler Township attended when she was a child and now takes her daughters Brooke, 12, and Hope, 9, to the Monday night club.

“I started when I was in second grade and went up until I graduated,” said Weisenstein. “They taught me that I am precious in God's sight and he truly cares about me in my everyday life,” she added.

Weisenstein said taking her daughters to the club was a “no brainer.”

“My daughter went the first night and has loved it ever since,” she said of Brooke, who is going on her sixth year with the group. While her mom's fondest club memories centered on camping, Brooke's center on McDonald.

“Every time I go I'm happy to spend time with Judy,” said Brooke. “She's taught me that God loves each and every one of us and there is no one more special than him, and we should treat everyone the same.”

Those interested in attending Pioneer Girls can show up at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at the church, 800 Mercer Road.