As we approach the holiday season, time is as precious as money. When you think of giving, remember that giving your time can be as appreciated as giving your treasure. Organizations such as the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee hosts numerous events in Nov. and Dec. that run for several days such as tennis. Those looking to give back or students wanting to receive community service hours are encouraged to call the JOBC office at 305 662-121.
One group of ladies who contribute time on a regular basis are those the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the largest women’s service organization in the world. Local clubs are especially busy this time of year collecting gifts for the needy and more. At a recent meeting of the
GFWC Gables Woman’s Club president Mireya Kilmon awarded “Member of the Month” honors to South Miami resident and new club member,
Debi Moore, of Gulliver Schools, someone who seems to be everywhere lending a helping hand.
Along with that honor came the crowning from the previous month’s winner, Mitzi Jenner. This tongue in cheek honor is one of many ways the club has fun and also shows appreciation to those who go above and beyond. On Nov. 14th this dynamic group prepared more than 35 gigantic Thanksgiving food baskets for the families of the children that are being treated at the club’s free children’s dental clinic located adjacent to their clubhouse at 1009 East Ponce de Leon Blvd. The members gathered that day for a traditional Thanksgiving meeting bringing a pot luck to eat in addition to bags of donations for the food baskets. The Club also collected toiletries throughout the year and at this same meeting packaged them into gift bags for Agape Women. As always, it was a night of fun, hard work and great food.
South Miami women looking to give back to the community should check out the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club. The active group of women ages 21 and up are always looking for women to become involved in the community and serving others. Aside from the Club’s outreach efforts, the organization owns and operates a children’s free dental clinic as well as rents out and maintains their historic clubhouse that is a beautiful location for weddings and parties of all kinds.
Speaking of the group, the club meets the first and third Wednesday each month and always has an active schedule with members contributing many volunteers hours. For more information on the club, visit www.coralgableswomansclub.org
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ongratulations go out to Community Newspapers’ own Cristian Ortiz. Ortiz is an accomplished artist in several media and recently was selected among thousands as a top ten finalist in a design competition for Bacardi’s Hatuey beer. An exhibition of the finalists’ art was on display recently at the Coral Gables Museum during a reception held on the evening of Sat., Nov. 10. Guests enjoyed a selection of finger foods while tasting Hatuey and viewing the art. Among the crowd attending the exhibition with this writer were the Museum’s Executive Director Chris Rupp, Ortiz and his daughter, Maria Francisca Ortiz, Allison Bean and a host of other artists and friends.
In other service organization news, Rotary International selected Miami as one of five cities for a pilot program called YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CAMPAIGN with a program goal of exposing young professionals district to the works of Rotary and capitalizing on their desire to get involved in community service. With that in mind, the District 6990 Rotarians scheduled a special evening for young professionals between the ages of 25-40, on Tuesday, November 13 at the Sofitel Hotel. The evening featured a dynamic speaker, a short Rotary informational video, a professional photographer who took head shots of the first 50 guests. More than 70 people enjoyed this evening of fellowship and networking including Rotary Dist.Governor Todd Dayton, District Membership Chair Joe Roth, Diana Roth, Antonio Pinheiro, Raimundo Molina and Rene Negron. Among the multitude of young professionals attending were Gabriel Llaurado, of Buena Vision; Marcia Vandervis, of APC, and Javier Fonseca, of El Carajo Restaurant, to mention a few.
Until next time, keep making each day count. If you would like to submit information for this column, please send your news via email to gloriagalburns@aol.com.
