GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB has entered its busiest season—that of giving—giving of their time, resources, funding and service to those in need of help in the community.  A team of members supported Meals on Wheels by volunteering their time to gift wrap very large donation boxes which will be placed out in the community to collect holiday gifts for the 850+ local homebound local residents.  The clubwomen also delivered 300+ handmade Halloween tray favors to cheer the Meals on Wheels clients.

Linda Mitchell, club chair of the Health & Wellness committee, also delivered shopping bags full of goodie bags to Hope Lodge as special treats for the out-of-town patients and families who are temporary residents while receiving treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB invited and welcomed into its ranks a good number of new and prospective members at an Orientation Tea at the Lutz home of member, Aniko Solomonson.   President Annette Bellingar and Membership Chair Beth Nevel-Rader explained the club structure to the newcomers, as well as its various projects, the commitment to volunteerism and community service as well as membership in the largest Federation of Women’s Clubs in the country (GFWC).

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB recently held a very successful fundraiser luncheon to support the Sunrise Domestic Violence Center serving West & Central Pasco County and to bring awareness of this very serious situation impacting our communities.  Staffers from the Shelter spoke of their many services provided in addition to the temporary housing of women and children (AND occasionally men) in emergency domestic violence situations.

 Club President Annette Bellingar and event Chair Nancy Swanton presented a donation check of $800 to the shelter to assist with its pressing needs.  In addition, club members, all dressed in purple, generously donated lovely handbags and totes filled with cosmetics, hygiene products, children’s books and other products in short supply at the shelter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” was held on October 9th at the Shops of Wiregrass.  Club women staffed the Information booth and a Water Station, while the Little Women and their Advisors managed another Water Station.

 

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB has undertaken a large special project in creating a sensory garden from scratch at Camp Idlewild in Land O’Lakes.  This camp serves as a lovely setting for autistic children and the Woman’s Club chose the garden project to provide a colorful fun space with a calm atmosphere for these campers.  Members have provided benches, colorful borders, a gravel pathway, an interesting sculpture installation and Booster husband, David Bellingar, (pictured above) has made two beautiful garden arches AND the wooden Ms. Catie Pillar piece which may serve as the children’s “train”.  Plantings will soon be installed and hopefully will attract beautiful butterflies, another calming effect for the children.  The garden is still a work in progress but it is coming along beautifully in stages.

 

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB recently convened in Orlando with their Federation sisters for the Annual Fall Convention and workshops.  As the women work together to learn new methods and avenues of support for their respective communities and various organizations and schools, they do take time off for a bit of fun in the evenings.  The clubs statewide collected a great number of brand-new shoes and socks for young students starting their new school year as part of the “Kicks for Kids” program.  Ms. Bassinger, above, displayed the Lutz-Land O’Lakes Club donations.  Later in the evening, the fun began.  Many excellent acts were performed and the prize-winning duo for “Best Costumes” were Sonny (Elayne Bassinger) & Cher (President Annette Bellingar) in their ‘70’s outfits.  The ladies did a magnificent rendition of “I’ve Got You, Babe!”.