GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members’ work on its Sensory Garden has progressed and taken shape with a very colorful look with planter containers brightly painted and fashioned into floral petal shapes from recycled tires and newly planted with perennials which promise to attract butterflies and bees.  This garden has been established “from scratch” by the Woman’s Club to serve as a fun, colorful and quiet place of enjoyment for autistic and special needs children on the grounds of Camp Idlewild in Land O’Lakes.

 

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members filled 25 backpacks (donated by Architectural Signage in Land O’Lakes) with member-donated cold weather wear such as hats, gloves, sweaters, sweatshirts and scarves for those in need.  Club president Elayne Bassinger and members Dee Knerr and Nancy Taylor delivered the backpacks for distribution by The Rope/Core Center in Hudson, which serves housing-insecure veterans and the homeless population.  This was one of many acts of kindness and generosity by this volunteer organization during the month of February in keeping with “GFWC Florida Days of Service”.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members raised funds through its Arts & Culture Committee programs to purchase and install a beautiful large elm tree standing 15 feet tall in the club-designated garden at Camp Idlewild in Land O’Lakes.  The height and heft of the tree required a bobcat in order to place it.  Chair Lois Cohen and club President Elayne Bassinger were onsite to supervise the placement of the tree installation in their Sensory Garden to benefit autistic children and others who enjoy this special needs camp.  The Woman’s Club began this special project literally from scratch in a bare field at the camp by plotting the garden, laying gravel pathways, installing a sprinkler system and placing beautiful arches, colorful garden benches and a special sculpture piece as well as colorful pickets bordering the pathways and a very cute caterpillar “train” for the kids to have fun with.  As soon as the weather is a bit warmer, the clubwomen will continue to add special features to the garden and plant a number of flowering plants and shrubs which will attract butterflies birds and bees, all
for the enjoyment of special children outdoors in nature.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB sewing team members have produced 40 comfort pillows, 10 baby blankets, numerous port protectors, hats and turbans which were delivered by Chairperson Pam Blumenthal to Moffitt Cancer Center and Advent Health Hospital.  These items are regularly handcrafted and delivered to local hospitals where they are most enthusiastically received by the staff and requests are always made for more because the need is so great.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB donates 100s of books over the course of each year which are distributed to the community via 2 Little Free Libraries and other outlets which it supports.  Club member, Ms. Sincich, regularly restocks the 2 “LFL” boxes and reports that both are very well used.  Recently the LFL located at Nye Park in Lutz was damaged beyond repair and a lovely gentleman, a member of the Lutz Woodworkers group, promptly stepped forward and hand-crafted and installed this colorful box filled with club-provided interesting reading for local children and adults to enjoy.  We appreciate this gentleman’s generosity of his time and materials to the community.

 

GFWC LUTZ-LAND  O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members gathered to assemble 100’s of Valentine’s Day cards and treats to be distributed by Meals on Wheels for the housebound seniors to enjoy with their meal deliveries.  Each packet contained a sweet Valentine with a handwritten message together with a really sweet chocolate heart confection to raise the seniors’ spirits and bring cheer.