Every year, like clockwork, members of the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club throw a luncheon and shower to benefit women and children living in two area domestic violence shelters.
Club members come to the event bearing clothing and other gifts to give to the shelter residents. They tend to be practical items, such as diapers, children’s toys, children’s clothing and personal hygiene supplies.
The woman’s group also has a boutique and a flea market, where club members and the general public can shop to raise money for the shelters.
The event also features a $6-a-plate lunch of lasagna, salad, bread, a drink and dessert, which is open to the public.
“Last year, we fed 75 people,” said Joan Collins, chairwoman of the luncheon for the woman’s club.
The items provided through the woman’s club luncheon lifts the spirits of the women and children who live at Sunrise of Pasco Inc.’s domestic violence shelter, said Trish Kley, the center’s development director.
They appreciate that people who don’t even know them are willing to help them, and they marvel at the items that are donated, she said.
Shelter residents get excited as “they are unloading and unloading and unloading” the vehicles that deliver the items that were donated at the shower, Kley said.
“What they do is fantastic. So many of these things, we’d never be able to supply,” Kley added.
The shelter is grateful for any donations and particularly need practical items, such as toilet paper, toiletries and bigger-ticket items such as highchairs, car seats and strollers.
Sunrise is seeing a growing demand, and is addressing that by adding 15 new beds, Kley said.
The woman’s club event offers a chance to do a bit of shopping and to mingle at lunch, Collins said. Before lunch, there’s a boutique and mini-flea market, where club members and the general public can purchase goods.
The money raised is donated to Sunrise and to the Pasco County Salvation Army Domestic Violence Shelter in Pasco County.
Collins said once the boutique is over, the club will also donate those gently used items — if the shelters want them.
The woman’s club gets satisfaction from the annual event because they know that the shelters need the help, Collins said.
“They’re very appreciative of everything we give them,” Collins said.
Abuse shelter benefit luncheon and boutique
Aug. 22: 10 a.m. shopping at the boutique, followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Lunch is $6 a plate for lasagna, salad, bread, dessert and a drink
Where: Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave. N.W.
Questions? Call Joan Collins at (813) 855-7254.
