News - GFWC Lutz-Land O'Lakes Woman's Club

Supporting Hacienda Ranch for Girls

May 2, 2015

Photo submitted by Patricia Serio Photo (L-R) Co-Chair Nancy Fisher & Hacienda / Children’s Home Society Director Nick Ginofsky — Photo submitted by Patricia Serio
Photo (L-R) Co-Chair Nancy Fisher & Hacienda / Children’s Home Society Director Nick Ginofsky

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club has long supported Hacienda Girls’ Ranch, a program of the Children’s Home Society of Florida, located in Melbourne, Florida. Hacienda is the oldest favored charity of the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs which has raised funds to build 3 homes on the property over the years. Hacienda Girls’ Ranch provides a safe haven for teen girls who are homeless, troubled, in foster care and dependent. The Woman’s Club recently presented a check for $750 as a result of a fundraiser organized by club co-chairs Edwina Kraemer (not pictured) and Nancy Fisher to Nick Ginofsky, Director of the Children’s Home Society and Board Member of Hacienda to benefit the girls’ ranch. The club has also provided 2 computers for the residences and routinely collects clothing and personal items needed by the teen residents.

Donation for “Support The Troops”

May 2, 2015

Photo submitted by Patricia Serio Photo: (L-R): Public Affairs Chair Donna Losch and Mark Van Trees, Director of Support the Troops — Photo submitted by Patricia Serio
Photo: (L-R): Public Affairs Chair Donna Losch and Mark Van Trees, Director of Support the Troops

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club has for many years been a very strong supporter of “Support the Troops”. This non-profit organization (Support the Troops) collects, packs and ships tons of necessary items donated by corporations to our troops in remote overseas areas where there is little access to a PX or commissary, however, it consistently finds itself short of postage funds with which to mail these gift packages.

Each month, a contingent of Woman’s Club members and even some spouses volunteer to pack these items at the Wesley Chapel warehouse. Recently, Chair Donna Losch presented Support the Troops Director, Mark Van Trees, with a club donation check of $500 to be applied toward postage.

Literacy & Learning Month in April

April 28, 2015

Photos submitted by Patricia Serio (L-R) Woman’s Club member Pamela Jim and Teen Art Contest Winner Rebecca Urbonas — Photos submitted by Patricia Serio
(L-R) Woman’s Club member Pamela Jim and Teen Art Contest Winner Rebecca Urbonas

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club showed its support for Literacy & Learning Month in April by donating a check to Land O’Lakes Friends of the Library Teen Board President Curtis Goodwin to be used for art and other library programs for young people in Grades 6 – 12. Ms. Jim on the Education Committee presented the check on behalf of the Woman’s Club as well as an award to Rebecca Urbonas, a winner of the Teen Art Contest at the Library. A similar contribution was made to the Friends of Lutz Library for their pre-K programs. The Woman’s Club has long supported both the Land O’Lakes and Lutz Libraries as part of their strong commitment to furthering education in our communities.

Photos submitted by Patricia Serio (L-R) Members of LOL Library Teen Advisory Board VP Vishal Vellody, PR Rep Ethan Centeno, Teen President Curtis Goodwin & Pamela Jim, Woman’s Club, front: Secretary Amanda Mangone — Photos submitted by Patricia Serio
(L-R) Members of LOL Library Teen Advisory Board VP Vishal Vellody, PR Rep Ethan Centeno, Teen President Curtis Goodwin & Pamela Jim, Woman’s Club, front: Secretary Amanda Mangone

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club supported the Pre-K Story Time Reading Program by having members of the Education Committee volunteer to read at the Lutz Library during the month of April which is designated as Literacy Month. Member Kumi Skillman held the room full of toddlers and Pre-K children (and the Moms) in rapt attention as she read stories and participated in fun songs, dances and games as she assisted Lutz Children’s Librarian, Kim Ebersole, with her very interactive and energetic program offered weekly for the little ones.

Photos submitted by Patricia Serio Member Kumi Skillman & Children’s Librarian Kim Ebersole with Pre-K children — Photos submitted by Patricia Serio
Member Kumi Skillman & Children’s Librarian Kim Ebersole with Pre-K children

Photos submitted by Patricia Serio Member Kumi Skillman & Pre-K children — Photos submitted by Patricia Serio
Member Kumi Skillman & Pre-K children

Literacy Month in Lutz and Land O Lakes

April 26, 2015

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club supported and celebrated the month of April as “Literacy Month” in both Lutz and Land O’Lakes. The clubwomen, under the direction of Education Chair KarenSue Molis, presented a donation check to Janet Stelzman, Treasurer of Friends of Lutz Library earmarked for preschool reading programs. Club members read to the little pre-schoolers, sang songs, danced and played games each week at the library during Literacy Month as well as visited local schools to read to younger students. The Woman’s Club, a community service organization, places particular emphasis on education and was delighted with the youngsters’ enthusiasm for books and learning.

Portable and Weatherproof Bedrolls for the Homeless

April 22, 2015

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club has participated in a very worthwhile Arts & Crafts Project brought to their attention by co-Chairs Aniko Solomonson and Karin D’Amico. The clubwomen have collected, folded rolled into balls 1000s of plastic supermarket bags which were then crocheted into portable and weatherproof bedrolls for homeless persons who resort to sleeping on the streets. From 500 to 700 plastic bags are required for each bedroll together with about a week’s worth of spare time to crochet into squares and finally stitch together. This project not only makes the needy more comfortable but removes all that plastic from landfills.

2nd Annual SWAP & SHOP
April 14, 2015

March 30, 2015

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club will hold its 2nd Annual SWAP & SHOP Event at:

Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m

Lutz Community Center
At the corner of Lutz-Lake Fern Rd. & Hwy. 41 (behind Lutz Library)

The Woman’s Club has put the FUN into Fundraising with this unique means of recycling treasures in exchange for new ones. The idea is to bring a minimum of 3 nice, new OR nearly new items (art work, home décor, jewelry, handbags, accessories, etc. but no clothing or shoes) with no maximum, which items will be displayed and chosen for a like number during numerous rounds of “swapping”.

Donation is $10 and the public is most welcome.

Light refreshments, finger foods and beverages will be provided.

All proceeds will benefit VSA – Very Special Arts Program locally to provide art supplies for special needs school children.