The Old Lutz School, at 18819 N. U.S. 41, was abuzz with activity on Feb. 26, as scores of volunteers prepared for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club annual flea market.
“It’s our second largest fundraiser of the year,” said Pat Serio, a club member, as she consulted with other club members about where to put various donations.
“It’s always much anticipated by the community because we’ve been doing it for so many years. We started out many decades ago,” Serio added.
“We started out at the Train Depot Park, but we quickly outgrew that, and we’ve been at the Old Lutz School ever since.
“We fill each of the classrooms with items, and we have a larger and larger footprint outdoors, adding tents each year,” she said.
Donations come in from the community and from the woman’s club members.
“We have everything from antiques and collectibles – silver, china, crystal in one special room. We have a home goods room, with kitchenware and décor items. We have a huge selection of beautiful clothing. Ladies, men, children’s clothing.
“Outdoors we have florals. We have a little mini-garden center, with artificial flowers and plants. We have toys, baby equipment, sports equipment, tools — something for everybody,” Serio said.
Volunteers were all over the place, getting ready for the sale. They were hanging clothes on racks, putting housewares on shelves, carrying donations inside, or arranging them in tents outside.
Club member Jean Palmieri was helping to sort books.
“We have a huge collection of books. Hardcover books are only $1. Soft covers are a quarter,” Serio noted.
But, those aren’t the only good deal, she added. “We have super bargain prices.”
“All proceeds go back to the community. This is our second-largest fundraiser of the year. Second only to the big arts and crafts show,” Serio continued.
The proceeds support scholarships and provide assistance to a wide assortment of community causes, including schools, libraries, Boy Scouts, and so on.
There will be a food booth, with hot dogs, breakfast items and soft drinks.
And, there will be a plant booth, too.
“The funniest thing is that we club members are our best customers. We donate the bulk of the goods, and we buy the bulk of the goods. We buy each other’s clothing, then next year, these fashions show up in the clothing racks of donations again,” Serio said.
It’s also a great place to catch up with old friends, Serio noted.
“Our women see neighbors and former neighbors. People come back, year after year, even after they’ve moved.
“It’s always the first weekend in March, so they know to anticipate that,” Serio said.
Old-time Lutz residents and former residents also enjoy spending time at the Old Lutz School, Serio noted.
“They reminisce about going to school there. So many people come through and they go, ‘This was my classroom.’
“They get all nostalgic,” Serio said.
Palmieri, who has been a woman’s club member for three years, said she enjoys being involved.
She said she joined because she wanted to help the community.
But, she said, pitching in has rewards of its own.
“It helps me feel good to know that I’m doing something beneficial for other people,” Palmieri said.
GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club annual flea market
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: March 2 and March 3, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Bargain hunters will find plenty of good deals during this market, which features everything from crystal and china to pots and pans. There’s furniture, hardcover books, potted plants and all sorts of other stuff. This is the club’s second-largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds are used to support scholarships and benefit a wide assortment of local community groups.
Published February 28, 2018
