By B.C. Manion
The atmosphere felt festive.
The aroma of ham and potatoes wafted from the kitchen, and women milled about – chatting with friends, browsing at racks of clothing and checking out second-hand items available for purchase at the Lutz Community Center.
Others were sorting bags of donated goods, including children’s clothing, diapers, school supplies, toiletries, bibs, children’s books and other stuff.
The women were clearly enjoying each other’s company – but they had also come together for a cause.
They were there for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club annual event to benefit the victims of domestic violence.
The benefit, which has been staged for at least two decades, takes aim at a problem that is often hidden from public view, said Edwina Kraemer, president of the local woman’s club.
“It’s a problem that people don’t want to deal with,” she said. But it is one that must be addressed in the public eye, in order to combat the harmful effects it has on its victims.
Statistics from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reveal there were more than 7,000 reports of domestic violence in Hillsborough County last year and more than 3,500 during the same period in Pasco County.
When the woman’s club began having its annual benefit, its focus was on helping abused women.
Since then, it has adopted a broader view.
Now it aims to help victims of domestic violence – regardless of gender or age.
Providing such support is also part of the annual program of the woman’s club parent organization, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international organization representing more than 4,000 clubs and more than 100,000 members.
The proceeds from the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes benefit, which was held last week, will be divided between Pasco Salvation Army Domestic Violence and Sunrise of Pasco County, said Joan Collins, chairwoman of the event.
The proceeds included money raised from the $5-a-plate lunch, money from the second-hand sale, gift cards and an assortment of donated items. The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation & Conservation department also sponsored the event.
In the past, club members would use the money to purchase items to give to the shelters. Now, it donates cash and gift cards, instead.
That allows the shelters to address specific needs as they arise, Collins said.
Shelter officials told Collins why that works better.
In one case, Collins said, “they had a little girl who was invited to go to a swimming party and she did not have a swimsuit. They had another girl who came in who did not have shoes. They can take the gift cards and go get specific items that people need.”
Club member Gabriele Hansen, who sorted through donated items and arranged them in an orderly fashion on a table, said the event aims to help families to break free of the grip of domestic violence.
Hansen offered these words of encouragement: “If you are in a bad situation, then you need to get out of there in a hurry.”
She understands why people can feel stuck.
“People hang in there — stay for the kids, stay for the kids. Meanwhile, over the years, it just gets worse,” Hansen said.
The woman’s club wants to help families who are trying to make a new beginning, she said.
“Once they get to the shelter, they can get a fresh start. The children get a fresh start with loving hands, with things to play with, things to wear,” Hansen said.
By helping one generation of survivors of domestic abuse, the hope is to inspire them to “pay it forward” and help prevent future generations from suffering the same fate, Kraemer said.
Club member Annie Fernandez said the club is happy to do what it can.
“It’s something the ladies love to do,” Fernandez said. “That’s what we’re here for.”