GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB is proud to announce the selection of its 1st Vice President Annette Bellingar as the “Ombudsman of the Year – 2017” by the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council. Ms. Bellingar has been chosen for this honor by her Ombudsman peers for her dedication over the past 5 years to the needs of long-term care residents without a voice in raising awareness of their needs and concerns at their facilities. Annette is known for “going the extra distance” on behalf of those entrusted to her management care, for mentoring and inspiring new Ombudsman volunteers and challenging the ALF and nursing facilities to do better for their residents. Ms. Bellingar was presented with a keepsake clock commemorating her service by Ron Dickey, Vice Chair of West Central Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Well Done and Congratulations, Annette!!

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB had a large presence of members at the annual Relay for Life event at JW Mitchell High School. The team, organized by chair Linda Mitchell, worked hard to raise funds donated to American Cancer Society through their Relay team event and had participants walk in every lap of the relay over the course of hours. The club had a unique “Survivors’ Chair” on display to honor all their sister members who are battling or have survived cancer, as well as those who have lost their battle. The “Green Shirt” ladies wholeheartedly supported this event in the fight against cancer.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members volunteered to help “Support The Troops” at its Wesley Chapel warehouse, by packing 21 boxes and filling 462 bags of snack items for the upcoming FlyFest event at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The club members presented a donation check to be applied toward postage to ship boxes to troops deployed overseas. Member Donna Losch organizes the team of members who regularly help this very worthy organization pack these boxes filled with important hygiene items, coffee, treats and items which may be unavailable to them in remote outposts.

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club members hosted and served a lovely brunch to the Hope Lodge resident patients receiving extended treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center. This residence provides a home away from home for these patients and spouses and it gives the club members great pleasure to prepare delicious home-cooked meals as well as provide friendly conversation and fellowship during a stressful time. The women also donated puzzles, board games and other items for the residence.