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Gringo Bingo, the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Clubs monthly fundraiser, hosted by Clutch Burger, took place both via Zoom and in-person on Oct. 6.
For the first time ever, the event had a $1,000 sponsor whose vice president, Eli Jimenez, had learned about the club’s free children’s dental clinic at the September Gringo Bingo event and wanted to help. The clinic, owned and operated by the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, served 505 patients in 2019 alone and the need has escalated with the pandemic.
Clutch owner Steven Bradley entertained as bingo caller for a fun night during which CGWC vice president Iris Segui celebrated another birthday. Thanks to the bank and online players from as far away as Vermont and South Dakota, the recent event raised $1,800. The net event is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 2. More on that in next issue.
The General Federation of Woman’s Club Florida can be proud of the amazing volunteer efforts of the South Florida clubs in District 11. These clubs have done everything from sewing masks for essential frontline workers to distributing food and donating blood. The clubs provide these services despite the fact that many clubs who owned their own clubhouses have been unable to rent them out for months and that loss of revenue affects many charitable programs. In spice of that, they have been very creative in meeting via Zoom, having virtual events and never seemed to miss a beat.
Most recently, members of the Miami Woman’s Club helped package and deliver 71 gourmet dinners to two shifts of the staff at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Center in North Miami.
The club members teamed with the well-known French bakery and restaurant Café Cream, also in North Miami, which prepared the meals. For club president Shirley Pardon, this was the club’s way of showing appreciation for workers holding the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an effort to support the Coral Gables Children’s “free” Dental Clinic, on Oct. 3, yet another club woman, a member of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club, Ashley Wojnar, coordinated a 305-dance party charity fundraiser in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. This online event was packed with shame-free, inclusive fun incorporating high interval training moves with the flavor of the Magic City.
Best of all, she raised $605 for the Coral Gables Children’s Dental Clinic that provided, last year alone, free dental care for 505 children in need. Twenty people participated in Ashley’s event and many who could not attend sent in donations.
Lots GFWC Club woman also can been seen at food distribution sites volunteering every week loading boxes of food into car trunks for those in need. At Tamiami Park every Tuesday and Thursday, Feeding South Florida provides groceries for 800 to 1,000 families that wait for hours to pick up their donated goods. Lots of legislators are helping coordinate these efforts. Most recently, State Rep. Anthony Rodriguez joined CGWC president Ruth Martinez and this writer at Tamiami Park.
Finally, a shout out to the members of Rotary Club of Coral Gables who have partnered with CGWC in so many outreach efforts from ongoing blood drives to volunteering at those food distributions and supporting the clinic. RCCG president Kelly Garces has not missed a beat having weekly Rotary meeting on Zoom that are fun.
Past president Yoli Woodbridge has booked a great lineup of speakers and visiting Rotarians are always welcomed to join the meeting on Thursdays, 12:15 p.m. Anyone interested in learning more about the club should contact past president Greg Martini, membership chair, at greg@gregmartinilaw.com.
Until next time, keep making each day count, be kind to all and please stay safe.
