GFWC Clubs convene for Fall Board/ Halloween events offer tons of fun

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The General Federation of Women’s Clubs from Florida held its Fall Board in Orlando on the weekend of September 27, where many clubs from our South Florida’s District 11 were attending. GFWC President Sara Dessureau opened the meeting and celebrate May Mann Jennings induction into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. As many clubs in north Florida were dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, clubs still managed to convene to make plans, educate and hear from great speakers. Saturday night’s keynote speaker, Danielle Green, inspired members with her story that began on the south side of Chicago.

Basketball became her way out when she earned a basketball scholarship at Notre Dame (her dream) and became the university’s 17th leading scorer in the program’s history.

Following graduation, she felt the need to serve others and joined the US Army. In 2004, on the 115-degree steaming rooftop in Bagdad, she lost her lower arm to a rocket-propelled grenade. She has never forgotten the backpack she received from the Wounded Warrior Project that gave her comfort. After 12 years helping warriors with the Department of Veterans Affairs, she is now with the Wounded Warrior Project where she continues her efforts.

During that dinner, GFWC District 11 Director Ruth Martinez presented a $50,000 check to GFWC Florida to replace the roof at their Lakeland headquarters. In addition, another check was presented in the amount of $5,000 to Rachel Sturgis, Director of Junior Clubs, for the Junior Clubs’ “One More Child” project . These funds came from the Northeast Miami Woman’s Club that had dissolved and whose folks opted to share a portion of their remaining funds with those projects. Past Direct 11 Director, Virginia Yermoli, also presented a $5,000 check from the Northeast Miami Woman’s Club for Sara Dessureau’s President’s Project, A Flight to Honor.

Among the many attending from District 11 were Past District Directors Linda Randoph, Virginia Yermoli, Elizabeth Fisher and Linda Hartwell. Among the clubs attending from South Florida were the Coral Gables Woman’s Club, Miami Woman’s Club, Cocoplum Woman’s Club, Coconut Grove, Homestead, Miami Springs and Hialeah Woman’s Club. District 11 was very well represented.

In other news, Halloween is fast approaching, and Paws4You Rescue has already gotten a jump on the holiday with its PAWS4You’s 14th Annual Howl-O-Ween held Saturday October 19, 2024. The event has a new location at Palmetto Bay Park and was at night. Howl-O-Ween is the premiere dog friendly Halloween event that attracts more than 2,5000 attendees and their dogs. Look for more on this in the next issue. Kudos to Carol Caridad, PAWS4you’s Founder and CEO and her staff/ volunteers for their rescue efforts, especially important after the weather events that have displaced so many animals. To donate to the cause or for more information, visit www.paws4u.org.

On October 25, at 7 p.m., the Coral Gables Woman’s Club (CGWC) will celebrate Halloween with a Haunted Halloween Playlist Party, to be held at the clubhouse (1001East Ponce de Leon Blvd.). Co-chairs Carmen Suarez and Rita Tennyson are going all out to make this a memorable night with games, contests, and dancing to a spooky fun play list, for a laughter-filled, crazy-good time. Tickets are $40 per person and include drinks and some lite bites. Costumes are highly encouraged. Charcuterie boxes will also be for sale at an additional cost. Proceeds will benefit the Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s many outreach programs. For more information and tickets, visit gfwccoralgableswomansclub.org.

Speaking of the CGWC’s outreach, the club is having a FREE family friendly Halloween Party coordinated by the club’s Education Chair, Saesha Tennyson, on October 31, from 4 – 8 p.m.. All ages are invited to join the fun. There will be games, costume contest, prizes, food and drinks. It is also a good time to learn about the club’s free children’s dental clinic attached to their historic clubhouse.

In other club news, the Homestead Woman’s Club is having its Annual Murder Mystery Dinner, October 25, 6:30 p.m. The party, entitled “A Totally RAD Prom Gone Bad”, promises many laughs. The affair will be held at their clubhouse located at 17905 SW 292 St., Homestead. Billed as a night of mullets and mystery, come dressed appropriately. Nothing is too tacky. Tickets are $80 per person. Call or text 305-636-9199 for tickets.

Finally, Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s Gringo Bingo has a new location for the next two months. On October 22 and November 19, 2024, save the dates for Gringo Bingo fundraisers at Grand Living (formerly The Watermark) in Coral Gables. Tickets are $35 and include flatbreads, one drink ticket for beer or wine, 13 game cards, music by DJ Germain, and lots of fun with emcee Steven Bradley, the Gringo. Come in costume for the October event is you like for added fun.

For reservations or more information, email gloria@cnews.net. Proceeds will benefit CGWC many outreach efforts including its clubhouse restoration and hurricane relief.

Until next time, share your time and talents, count your blessings, and make a difference.

 

 

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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.