GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB proudly announces an additional special Scholarship award this year named “2019 Marilyn Wannamaker Memorial Scholarship” to an adult student and firefighter, Lutz resident MARK FISHER in the amount of $5,000. Marilyn Wannamaker was a past President of the Woman’s Club and served on Lutz Volunteer Fire Dept. Board for many years and has recently passed. The Woman’s Club has administered the Lutz Volunteer Fireman’s Scholarship Endowment Fund since 2012 and awards 2 scholarships annually from this fund. This year, however, the club found it most appropriate to expand the awards to 3 Lutz resident students, in view of Mr. Fisher’s outstanding resume as husband to Ariana Fisher and Dad to 4 teenaged sons, a full-time firefighter for 14+ years serving our area AND a student at St. Petersburg College completing his undergraduate studies in Public Administration/Fire Administration.

The Woman’s Club salutes and congratulates Firefighter Mark Fisher and wishes him continued success.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB Conservation Chair Lonna Vizzari recently presented Omella Varchi, Devel. Officer of the Humane Society with a generous club donation check after Ms. Varchi addressed the club on the Humane Society’s mission and needs. Member Sandi Marrow arranged for and delivered a large collection of pet food for the animals housed at the shelter and donated by club members, which completely filled her SUV.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB works to bring awareness to and prevention of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse through their support and many projects. The members recently planted signage and a “garden” of blue pinwheels at Heritage Park – Land O’Lakes Community Center to direct attention to the prevention of child abuse and support of happy healthy childhoods for all our children.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB collects “retired” U.S. flags as a project and rescues the stars before they are respectfully burned in a flag ceremony in collaboration with the Boy Scouts. These stars are then encased in a packet with a very touching verse meant to be carried in the breast pocket of troops’ uniforms or veterans’ shirt pockets in remembrance. While at GFWC convention recently, member and Public Issues Chair Dee Knerr presented a ‘Star’ to 95 year old WW II Veteran O’Neil Ducharme who gratefully received it.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB member and Sunshine Chair Gloria Dale has delivered over 5000 Christmas and holiday greeting cards to Mark VanTrees, Director of Support the Troops organization in Wesley Chapel. These cards, all hand-written by Ms. Dale, with cheery greetings from the Woman’s Club, will be enclosed in boxes of treats and hygiene items mailed to troops overseas. In addition, Ms. Dale has distributed 100s more greeting cards to the local VA hospital, VA nursing home and area senior centers to cheer the patients.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members had a large presence at the recent American Cancer Society RELAY FOR LIFE event at Sickles High School campus. The member team raised funds for the American Cancer Society, represented their many member cancer survivors and walked the track in remembrance of their family, friends and club members who had lost their battle with cancer.