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From fundraising and appreciation events to a massive toy drive, December 2024 was a stellar month for nonprofits.
The General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC) Florida District 11, made up of 12 South Florida clubs, held its first fundraising progressive dinner on Dec. 19. Members and guests from various clubs met at the Coconut Grove Woman’s Club where they boarded the bus to make the first stop at the Homestead Woman’s Club for appetizers and on to Coral Gables Woman’s Club for soup and salad. Next stop for dinner took them to the Miami Woman’s Club and then back to Coconut Grove Woman’s Club for dessert. Every club had members who volunteered to man the stops so other members who purchased tickets to enjoy the evening.
Miami Woman’s Club’s Linda Joseph did a great job of organizing the event and got Perricone’s Catering to sponsor a large “Jingle Bells” bus decorated with lights for the holidays that added to the festive evening.
Among the many attending the affair with this writer were District 11 director Ruth Martinez; past district directors Virginia Yermoli, Elizabeth Fisher and Brenda Merrill, with several Woman’s Club presidents including Metris Batts (Miami), Arely Ruiz (Coral Gables), Christel Lipscombe (Homestead), Maribel Fruitstone (El Portal) and Lavette Moore (Historic Overtown Village).
Speaking of women’s clubs, Coral Gables Woman’s Club members had a busy month leading up to year-end supporting the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bells Run, Merrick House Holiday Party, Villagers Historic Home Tour, monthly Gringo Bingo, and their own holiday general meeting and board holiday dinners.
Proceeds from the club’s monthly Gringo Bingo nights helped support several charities and schools this past year thanks to ongoing support from its long-time sponsors Lynn Bauer, Dr. Hal Wanless, Jerome Kavulich, Carlos and Myra Rossi, Dr. Jose Chaviano, and Tom and Kim Davison as well as Deirdre Nero, who sponsors one event the club shared with NAAF.
Recently, CGWC past president Ruth Martinez, with this writer and Ann Ryan, presented a $530 check to Dr. F. Pickett, principal of Tucker K-8 Center. This money earmarked for the Principal’s Special Fund was one of three checks donated from proceeds raised at the club’s August Gringo Bingo. Other check recipients for that event were Voices for Children and the Marvin Dunn Academy for Community Education (ACE Academy).
In other club news, the Cocoplum Woman’s Club laid wreaths at the Veteran’s Cemetery in time for Christmas, one of many activities this active club does for our community. Yet another Cocoplum Woman’s Club member and Gables Rotarian, Yolanda Woodbridge, also helped plan an appreciation party for the volunteers at MIA’s Military Hospitality Lounge where she volunteers every week.
The dinner was held at Seasons 52 on Dec. 18 with about 20 volunteers who were welcomed by the airport’s Military Hospitality Lounge president and executive director Angel Rodriguez. Volunteers are needed seven days a week and retired military, police officers and firefighters are what they need. The lounge, located on the second level of Terminal E, is a place for travelers to rest, grab some snacks, and freshen up on long trips. Offering a friendly smile, volunteers greet and help with incidentals and provide a great way to do something nice for active or retired military and their families traveling through our city. To learn more about volunteering, send email to angel.rodriguez@yahoo.com.
On the holiday giving front, there were many holiday toy drives, but, by far the most successful drive by one couple topped them all. Scott and Belinda Sime, of Sime Realty, held their annual toy drive and holiday party on Dec. 14, collecting a record 960 great toys for the Lighthouse for the Blind and other local charities, while welcoming 360 guests to their beautiful waterfront home. This is always one of the best parties of the year with such a great mission and seems to grow every year.
Finally, as we begin a new year, count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference. Happy New Year!
