LEESBURG, Fla. – When the Lake County Women’s Advocates get together each month there’s a lot of hugging and catching up with friends.
But that’s just part of what keeps them coming back.
This week’s Getting Results Award winners are turning their social occasion into social awareness and action.
Lu Giordano, Lake County Women’s Advocates (LCWA) club president, arrives early and greets everyone as they arrive. A line forms in the hallway of the Chesapeake Bay Grill at Arlington Ridge as the women, mostly retirees, check in and find a table with friends.
“It’s my baby,” Giordano said. “I’ve been in the organization since 2007. We dedicate our time, our service and our talents to advocacy.”
The organization started in 1999 as a social club (Leesburg Newcomers Club for Women) but has transformed over time to include a fundraising element. Gatherings are now a way to collect money for the Lake Sumter Children’s Advocacy Center in Leesburg, their adopted nonprofit.
The center is part of the National Children’s Alliance and provides comprehensive trauma-informed services at no cost to children who are victims of crime. Lake Sumter Children’s Advocacy Center works with law enforcement, The Department of Children and Families and the State Attorney’s Office to provide child abuse victims with all the necessary services in a single location.
Between raffles, donations and special events, the women raised more than $28,000 last year.
“The children leave home with absolutely nothing. All their clothes can be taken for forensic evidence. They may not even get a chance to go back home,” Giordano continued. “Our mission is to support those children.”
The money goes towards everything from medical beds to clothing, toys and even school supplies.
Brenda Crellen, the center’s executive director, says the women’s club is their biggest donor.
“We really depend on groups like this and this group has been with us, I’ve been with the agency 10 years and they’ve been longer than that. So they’re phenomenal,” Crellen said. “It’s invaluable what these women do and how committed they are. We’re so blessed.”
Barbara Hutten became a member about three years ago. “One person joins and then they tell someone else what we do and then they join,” Hutten said. “Once you see what the organization does for the children you realize it’s amazing. You just want to keep coming back and giving.”
Margie-Ann Feczko is the Community Liaison for LCWA and a retired nurse. “As retirees you play Mahjong, you play shuffleboard, but I think you need a purpose.”
Feczko has been a member for years but recently took a leadership role with the club to help spread the word about its mission.
“I believe there are fun things in life and important things in life. Here you can do a little of both,” Feczko said. “It’s important to give back and share the good things in your life.”
The women here will tell you, when you join their group, you won’t just find new friends you’ll find your purpose.
LCWA meets on the 4th Thursday of each month for a luncheon, which may include speakers, special programs, field trips or a fashion show. New members are welcome. For more information go to: lcwadvocacy.org
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