By Sandy Meyer
The Valencia Lakes Women’s Club, chartered in 2009 with 40 members, has made helping others its mission. Since that time, they have grown to 112 members but its original mission has remained the same.
Patty Hibsher, President of the Valencia Lakes Women’s Club, says the group was formed because, “We were hoping to be able to give back to the community because we all felt so fortunate that we were living here.” And give back they have. The group has a number of charitable projects that they work with each year including Moffit Cancer Center and Leonard High School in Ruskin.
Just this past December, it presented Moffit with a check for $10,000 at its annual holiday luncheon. The funds were raised with its Walk for the Cure benefit which attracted over 200 walkers as well as Dance for the Cure. Most recently in April, the women visited Leonard High School in Ruskin to interview students for college scholarships which the club awards annually. “These kids are just amazing; they have grown up with such adversity in their life,” Hibsher said.
Besides its large fundraising events, the women’s club incorporates fundraising into most everything they do. Its quilting club makes and donates quilts, pillow cases and tote bags to hospitals and nursing homes and it has even self-published a cookbook which helps raise additional funds among many other things. “We have an amazing turn-out of women that are very helpful and caring and it’s our pleasure to give back to those less fortunate than we are,” shares Hibsher.
On Friday, May 10, the club will be hosting its annual fashion show with the proceeds going towards Leonard High School scholarships. Tickets for the fashion show are $20 and can be purchased by contacting Patty Hibsher at 561-715-3000.
The group is accepting new members and can accept up to 20% of its membership from women outside of Valencia Lakes. The annual membership is just $20 and includes the annual holiday luncheon. Contact Patty Hibsher for more information. Valencia Lakes Women’s Club is a 501(c)3 organization.
