2023 0705 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB sponsored another fabulous small-town parade and celebration in Lutz. The patriotic theme was “Red, White & Lutz”. Many floats participated in the parade followed by the “inauguration” of Guv’na of Lutz, an annual fun campaign to raise funds for community service organizations. The winner raising the most funds was the Club’s supported candidate, Jerome Smalls, proudly wearing his sash in photo above. CONGRATULATIONS TO GUV’NA JEROME! The celebration also included a foot race, cake bake contest & auction, children’s games and activities and good old-fashioned fun for all, despite the sweltering temperatures. Photo 1: Club members + a daughter surrounding club-sponsored Guv’na, Jerome Smalls; Photo 2: Club float in long parade, Photo 3: Members carrying banner in parade; Photo 4: Members on parade float with Little Women of Lutz (blue shirts) marching

2023 0622 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB enjoyed a fun luncheon fundraiser event in support of its candidate, Jerome Smalls, running for Lutz Guv’na. The ladies prepared a fabulous grand buffet of wonderful salads, sandwiches and luscious desserts for the occasion. Pammy Cupcake, the club’s own Pam Blumenthal, was in full cupcake motif while raising funds with her delicious little cupcakes.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members enjoyed a delightful morning of crafting beautiful and very professional works of art from simple plain glass vases. Arts & Crafts Chair Lois Cohen assembled all the necessary materials and taught the ladies a unique “swirl” method using beautiful paint colors to form unique patterns. ; Members Debbie Williams, Karen Molis, Chair Lois Cohen & Sandy Giddens; Finished products (upside down) in the drying process… “Pammy Cupcake” (Pam Blumenthal) accepting donations to help club candidate; 2023 0622 2: Club members and friends enjoying luncheon; 2023 0622 3: (l-r) Club President (seated) with VP Peggy Andrews, event chair (standing).

2023 0612 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members supported their candidate, Jerome Smalls, who is in the running for Lutz Guv’na at a fun BBQ luncheon at Stationhouse BBQ Restaurant in Tampa, which restaurant has generously donated a percentage of food sales to each of the candidates running for this satirical office. The clubwomen and their families turned out for this event during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours to make the most of this fundraising opportunity for Jerome. The Guv’na candidate who raises the most funds in this hilarious fake race will be announced at the Lutz 4^th of July Celebration. Club members and friends enjoying fundraiser luncheon supporting their Guv’na candidate be named Guv’na, wear the sash for the next year and promote the Lutz community. The funds raised will be divided among worthy local non-profits and community organizations. ALF residents gathering for surprise “big reveal” 2023 0610 2 & 2023 0610 3: Club members delivering comforters for distribution.

2023 0610 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members worked for over a year on a project to furnish each of the 100 residents of the Angels Senior Living ALF in Tampa, with a fresh, brand-new comforter for their rooms in a choice of several colors. The club women worked hard to secure a Walmart grant for part of the required funds and the club provided the balance. The green shirt ladies delivered and distributed these comforters to the residents who were absolutely delighted by this very generous gesture and several were even moved to tears in gratitude. Afterwards the club provided a treat of ice cream sandwiches for all to enjoy while socializing with these seniors.

GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members celebrated with the Lutz Senior Center clients and guests as the facility was awarded its formal National Accreditation of Senior Service, which is determined by adherence to a strict and comprehensive Standards of Service mandate for the Lutz Senior Center. Among the guest attendees were County Aging Services Department and Nutrition & Wellness staff representatives, Lutz librarian supervisor Marci LaTorella, American Legion chaplain Don Hinst and our own Lutz Guv’na Atlas Cortecero. The very popular and talented Guv’na Atlas delighted the audience with several well-loved songs such as “Sweet Caroline”.

The woman’s club members provided and served a lovely brunch to the seniors and other guests to mark this very special occasion and make a point to visit and socialize with the seniors about once each month to bring treats and levity. Club members (l-r) Pam Blumenthal, Darryln Caudill, Linda Mitchell, Marshal Gibson, Barbara Booth, Melba Pineiro, Mary Anne Lykins, Rose Ann Edwards and Shirley Simmons serving brunch to the seniors

2023 0601 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB recently sponsored an Essay Contest for fifth graders at Lutz Elementary School to encourage and reward students’ writing skills.

Members of the club’s education committee, Cheryl Winegar and Linda Buzzee, announced the winners of the contest and awarded the 1st Prize of a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card,

2nd Prize a $50 gift card and two 3rd Prizes of $25 gift cards. Two additional students were awarded Honorable Mention Certificates. The Woman’s Club congratulates all the winners and encourages them to continue honing their reading and writing skills. Student Essay Contest Winners with members Cheryl Winegar and Linda Buzzee (in green shirts)

2023 0601 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members Gail Howard and President Elayne Bassinger recently attended a seminar and meeting in Tampa speaking to the ‘Putting Children First Pinwheels for Prevention’ Campaign to raise funds through the sale of blue pinwheels to aid groups working with children who have suffered abuse. While there, the clubwomen met large and very committed group of “Bikers Against Child Abuse” who are similarly working to raise funds and bring awareness to the child abuse problem. The Woman’s Club has raised funds for a number of years through this program and donated to the aid organizations. Biker Group with club members (in green shirts) Gail Howard & President Elayne Bassinger 2023 0601 2: (l-r) Member Gail Howard & President Elayne Bassinger

2023 0527 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members delivered gift bags for each resident mom of Sunrise Domestic Violence Shelter of Pasco County. The bags were filled with luxury cosmetics, lotions, scents, bath products and jewelry pieces for each of the resident children to present to their Moms on Mother’s Day. The club supports this shelter throughout the year with financial donations as well as clothing, household items and other goods as needed. Photo: (l-r) member Gail Howard, President Elayne Bassinger, Sunrise Shelter staffer & member Linda Mitchell

2023 0526 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members honored those who served in our military at two local cemeteries, one in Lutz and another in Land O’Lakes by placing flags on their gravesites and at the cemetery entrances. Flags were also displayed at the Veterans’ Memorial at Bullard Park in Lutz. Each year the club members make an effort to memorialize and honor those who have served, so that we may never forget their great contributions to our country and to democracy. Photo Veterans’ Memorial at Bullard Park, Lutz Flags placed at Gan Shalom Cemetery in Lutz 4: Members Pat Serio and Debbie Cardona after placing flags; Lutz Guv’na Atlas Cortecero entertaining the seniors and guests

2023 0421 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB member, Nancy Taylor, participated as a staffer guiding veterans to the proper areas of service at the annual ‘Operation Stand Down 2023’. This annual event held in Pasco County serves the homeless and most needy veterans with legal advice, medical, mental health and dental services, referrals to appropriate agencies for further resources, employment advice. Shower facilities were made available and free haircuts and clothing were provided as well as gift bags of personal hygiene items, socks, etc. The Woman’s Club prides itself on its multi-faceted assistance, donations, support and service it provides to our veterans. Club member Nancy Taylor volunteering at the vets’ event

2023 0419 GFWC LUTZ-LAND O’LAKES WOMAN’S CLUB members recently delivered an SUV full of handbags stuffed with needed and requested personal hygiene items to Felicity House, a new 4-month transitional shelter for homeless women in Hudson, a facility run under the auspices of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The woman’s club was pleased to have a tour of this lovely facility by house manager Krysta McIntosh, who explained the services provided to help women in need restructure their lives and regain housing and employment. The woman’s club has provided many donations over the years to women’s shelters and continues its support. Photo: (l-r) Club members Barbara Booth, President Elayne Bassinger, Annette Bellingar & House Manager Krysta McIntosh