Happy birthday to these lovely ladies with March birthdays!!
We began our program today with performances by students from St. Augustine High School. We were entertained with a variety of guitar, horns, acting, dancing and singing. The talent in that group was amazing and we are all grateful for their time and performance.
Our president, Debbie Coates announced that we have raised $10,450 in sponsorship towards our annual Fundraiser. Also, make sure to mark your calendars for May’s luncheon. Due to a change in location, we will have our monthly luncheon program on the third Wednesday of May at the Embassy Suites. It will hold up to 300, so an opportunity for more of our members to attend the luncheon on May 20th.
We had 4 members present with birthdays this month - Happy Birthday, ladies!
Kathy Sharpless, Membership co-chair, asked everyone to come with their cell phones to the April luncheon for a group phone introduction to our new website session. The big news there is that if you would like to register and pay online to renew your membership, that is now an option. For those of you who would prefer to pay by check, there will a table at the April luncheon, where you can renew your membership and pay with check. We are asking all current members to verify the information we have listed on our private membership directory online to ensure accuracy for the next printed membership directory.
Hilde Berdine, co-chair for Outreach Committee, shared the following. One of our selected charities, INK, is having their annual fundraiser in April. Investing in Kids is the charitable foundation benefitting the St. John’s County School District. This would be a wonderful opportunity to participate in our Giving Circle as we supported the Wildflower Healthcare fundraiser. The event is the Boot Scootin’ BBQ which will take place at the Tringali Barn on US 1, April 18 from 6 - 10. You can attend, sponsor or volunteer. Click here for more information. ****This event like so many others has been cancelled, unfortunately, due to COVID-19.****
We are continuing to bring you information about our selected charities through our Charity Liaison Speaker Series. Pat Lopinto, our Liaison to the Betty Griffin Center-Rape Care Unit presented.
“The Betty Griffin Center is the only Center in St. Johns County that has provided free services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Center offers protection and quality services to victims and their children thru the operation of safe & secure shelter & outreach programs, offering assistance, counseling and transitional support.
The Rape Care Unit, which we support, was formed in 2006 to meet a need in our community. For the 12 month period beginning July 2018, sexual advocacy was provided to 57 victims, ranging in age 18 to 81. Survivors of sexual abuse are provided emergency shelter, helpline support, injunctions for protection and counseling, which are all free.
The Rape Recover Program preserves the victim’s dignity and reduces the psychological trauma by providing improved, quality medical services by trained professionals.
When victims come to the Recovery Unit, everything they are wearing becomes part of the evidence, whether or not they choose to report to law enforcement.
We have supported the Recovery Unit for 8 or more years providing them with, among other things, Recovery Bags that include clothing and other essentials for victims when they leave. So far this year, we have given the Unit $200 worth of socks, snacks, ginger ale and water. We contact the Unit each month to determine if they have any other needs.
If you would like to tour the Recovery Unit, please let me know and I will make arrangements.”
Our annual art show is coming. Make sure you have registered if you would like to submit an entry, Click here to register or pick up an application at the front desk of the club. A sign up sheet was passed around at the luncheon for hostesses for the art show. If you would like to sign up and have not, you can email An Marshall. ****This event like so many others has been cancelled, unfortunately, due to COVID-19.****
