Holidays bring out the best in our community as we see people dig dip to help those less fortunate. All over town boxes of food and clothing are being collected in time to make the holidays a better one for others. The GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s, many members of whom live in the South Miami area, were among those groups collecting and distributing food and gift cards to those in need with a focus the families of the children served by the club’s free dental clinic. At the CGWC’s November 19th meeting, after a brief presentation by School Board Chairman Dr. Larry Feldman and a sumptuous turkey dinner with sides provided by members, the group collected and donated enough non perishable holiday food items to provide Thanksgiving baskets for 31 of the most needy families. In addition, the Club’s Dental Clinic Director Dr. Iris Torres Rivera also collected $15 gift cards to give to the children. As some members were working on the baskets, yet others prepared holiday cards to send to the troops in Afghanistan and still others packaged toiletry items in gift bags to donate to the women of Agape.
As an added treat, members signed up to participate in the section of the Jr. Orange Bowl Parade, held Dec. 1, as the health section of the School Board unit. That and the fact that the club was honoring club members who are teachers was the reason for Dr. Feldman’s visit. That evening, each teacher was presented with a special gift chosen by retired teacher and Club Education Chair, Susie Tilson. Included in that group were Kate Swain, Patty Hendon, Christy Saxon-Hernandez and Martha Black. Talk about a feel good meeting… that one was hard to beat.
Dr. Larry Feldman. L to R: Kate Swain, Martha Black, Dr. Larry Feldman, Club Education Chair Susie Tilson, Club
President Mireya Kilmon, Patty Hendon, and Christy Saxon-Hernandez with her daughter.
By the way, the Coral Gables Woman’s Club is always looking for women interested in serving the community and encourage anyone who would like to learn more about the club and joining this dynamic group to visit <www.coralgableswomansclub.org>.
(Note: Membership is not restricted to any particular geographic area.)
In other good news, Gulliver’s Interact club held its 2nd Annual Interact Soccer Tournament on November 16th at Gulliver Prep. One hundred people participated in the event that help raise more than $1,000 for Chapman Partnership. The money raised will fund the Club’s monthly trips to the shelter. In addition this very active group of more than 120 students are in the process of organizing their 7th Annual Fashion Show Benefit scheduled for March 13, 2014. Last year’s show raised more than $7,500 and there are high hopes that this year’s numbers will be even higher. Proceeds from the fashion show also benefit the Chapman Partnership as well as Easter Seals, and Give Kids the World. Kudos to Club President Nicole Rubin and her amazing club for all their good work.
Speaking of Rotary, from serving meals on Thanksgiving Day to ringing bells at Publix for the Salvation Army, this Gables Club is busy with outreach activities every single week. Lorraine Sheldon, who heads the Club’s Community Service meeting recently met at Angelique Euro Café to make plans for the coming months with several of her committee members including Coral Gables Rotaractor Natalie Escudero and Rotarians Brad Forte, Yolanda Woodbridge, Walter Alvarez, Terry Long, and Heath Shatcel.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
Wishing all our readers a happy and safe holiday season.
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