Photo: (L-R) Jamie Birkett (grandson), Kumi Skillman, Sandy Elmore, Marsha Gibson & Chair (grandma) Ciel Birkett
GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club once again had a large contingent of members participate in the recent Annual Relay for Life at Steinbrenner High School. Chairperson Ciel Birkett organized the Woman’s Club booth and many of the women did laps along the track in a victory walk as survivors and/or in memory of loved ones. The club women also staffed a fundraiser booth and worked this marathon event under Ms. Birkett’s direction including her own young grandson who showed his support.
Orlando Canine Companions for Independence Tour
Photo: (L-R) Co-Chair Edwina Kraemer, Hazel Robles, Leslie Garcia of GFWC Brandon Junior Club, Puppy in Training, Andrea Sands & Co-Chair Nancy Fisher
GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club members recently toured the Orlando Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) home and training facility for these wonderful assistance and companion dogs. Ms. Kraemer and Ms. Fisher co-chair this very worthwhile GFWC President’s Project in support of CCI and organized the club tour. The Woman’s Club is collaborating with its sister clubs in District 8 to raise funds through various year-long projects and has set as its goal an amount necessary to purchase a puppy and provide for its care and training.
Paint Your Heart Out Lutz. For Guv’na it’s KarenSue.
That is the GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club Guv’na Candidate.
She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and retired art teacher. Originally moving to Lutz to be near her daughter and two grandsons, she found her niche in the Woman’s Club. With in weeks she was a busy lady.
KarenSue is currently Education Program Chair and past Home Life Program Co-Chair, as well as volunteering for many other events like last years 4th of July Float honoring the volunteer firefighters. She loves to paint, ravel, loves old cars, and making new memories. Her palette represents the opportunities she wants to create for Lutz – especially the children. Art can help people learn positive habits, behavior and attitudes as well as to develop critical thinking, creativity and teamwork.
Her heart goes out to the non-profits, especially Canine Companions for Independence: Support the
Troops, hospice, libraries, schools and our club.
List of “KARENSUE FOR GUV’NA” scheduled Campaign events:
Saturday, May 16
1-3 PM Old Lutz School Guv’na Kickoff Debate
Wear green shirts and come out in support of our candidate
Thursday May 28
Lunch (11:30) Lutz Com. Ctr.
Luncheon: Artistry in Italy
Saturday May 30
2:30 – 4 PM Annual Guv’na Tea
@ Home of Edwina Kraemer
Thursday June 4
Lunch (11.30 am) Lutz Com. Ctr.
Luncheon by Shirley & Phyllis: Ham & Greek Potato Salad
Thursday June 11
Lunch (11.30 am) Lutz Com. Ctr.
Luncheon by Cathy & Rosie: Gourmet Salads
Sunday June 14
Bunco Fundraiser
@ Home of Aniko Solomonson
Thursday June 18
Lunch (11.30 am) Lutz Com. Ctr.
Luncheon by Jane & Madeline
Thursday June 25
Lunch (11.30 am) Lutz Com. Ctr.
Members’ Crockpot Cookoff Potluck Luncheon
Supporting Hacienda Ranch for Girls
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”
Photo: (L-R): Public Affairs Chair Donna Losch and Mark Van Trees, Director of Support the Troops
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
(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.
(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.
Member Kumi Skillman & Children’s Librarian Kim Ebersole with Pre-K children
Member Kumi Skillman & Pre-K children