GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members have had a very busy week delivering Christmas bags filled with gifts for several families at the club’s three supported local schools:  Lutz Elementary, Denham Oaks and Miles Elementary.  Two teams of clubwomen also delivered Christmas gifts to the other two schools to provide extra cheer to selected families who are in need at this time of year.  The club has many, many other holiday projects and deliveries to make at local senior centers, meals on wheels clients and assisted living facilities, to name a few.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members twice visited and enjoyed very informational tours of Quantum Leap, a therapeutic riding facility in Odessa, which provides equine-assisted adaptive therapy for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, wounded veterans, children with cancer and military service members.  The farm is currently home to 12 horses, 2 donkeys and 3 goats, all of whom are trained therapy animals.  The club members presented a generous donation to this facility and look forward to further support in the future.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members spent hours decorating their “club” tree at the Historic Old Lutz School, where many other local organizations and families provided individual trees.  The club women crafted very clever ornaments coordinating them with their President’s theme of “Hearts & Hands” Serving Our Community.  There are also themed classrooms featuring a huge Nutcracker collection, an elaborate train display and all sorts of Christmas decorations and outdoor lighting.  The entire community is delighted that this wonderful annual holiday event has returned to the Old School for the first time since Covid had prevented it.  Generations of families always look forward to the Old School decked out as a Christmas Wonderland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB member volunteers showed up in force at the Tampa offices of Meals on Wheels to wrap the large Christmas gift donation boxes which will be spread throughout the community. Hopefully these boxes will be filled to the brim with Christmas gifts for the shut-in clients of Meals on Wheels.  The elderly and infirm will enjoy their Christmas surprises since often this is the only social contact they may have during the holidays.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members very much appreciated the opportunity to participate in an important CPR class presented by Advent Health.  Two Community Outreach staffers with Advent Health presented an informative video while citing the statistics of saving lives via this “Hands-Only” CPR method, followed by a hands-on demonstration.   Advent Health generously provided practice mannequins to each member, as well as an instructional video, to teach and share with friends and families.  This was a very important class to prepare for should an emergency situation arise within one’s own home or in public and could be lifesaving.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members held a very successful fundraiser to benefit Sunrise Shelter of Pasco County.  This domestic violence facility has long provided free emergency shelter and services to women and children in need of protection.  The club women have supported this facility for many years and particularly during October, which is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

 The club was proud to present a donation of $1,000 to the Sunrise Shelter to support its mission, as well as a truckload of donated handbags filled to the brim with personal hygiene and other needed items for the women and children in residence.

 Note that club President Elayne Bassinger has serious baking skills as shown in her “cupcake” butterfly cake creation frosted in purple icing in keeping with the purple theme of Domestic Violence and Abuse.