The Circle Connection


Monthly Newsletter

Volume 2 ~ October 2022 

Each day comes Bearing its own gifts. Unite the Ribbons.

Ruth Ann Schabacker


Philanthropy is the foundation of any community.  The positive impact that it creates on the quality of life of those that are less fortunate cannot be measured by any means.


Women's Giving Circles around the nation have tripled in number since 2007 and women are the majority of giving circle members.


Twenty-five years ago, Sondra Shaw Hardy and Martha Taylor identified 6 C’s as the inspiration for women’s giving which forms the basis of all women’s collective giving.


Women give because they want to:


  • Create new solutions to old problems.
  • Change rather than preserve the status quo.
  • Commit to the organization’s mission and vision.
  • Connect with the organization.
  • Collaborate with others, particularly other women.
  • Celebrate and have fun with giving.


You are each the link to The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle, and you hold the key of endless opportunities that await.  


This is your circle...Together we are better!


With sincere gratitude,

Barbara Najmy

Founder & Chair


You Do Not Want To Miss This

Pumpkin Peek In Our First Annual 

Fall Membership & Social Meeting

Venue Change

Join us for our first membership meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to share some empowering time together! Find out all that is happening with TLC Women's Giving Circle, meet your leadership team, learn how to get involved and how to make a difference in our community. We welcome all prospective members to join us and learn about TLC Women's Giving Circle


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15th

The Home of Barbara Najmy

16215 Clearlake Avenue

10:30am – 1:30pm

(Meeting will begin promptly at 10:30am)


Enjoy Brunch Bites with Bubbly & A Decadent Dessert Bar

Feel Free to BYOB


$15 per person 

Venmo @Barbara-Najmy



NETWORKING – GREAT FOOD – DOOR PRIZES


Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, October 13th

to Ruth Harshman (941) 735-9035


Join The Fun

Turkey Trot

Join us for The Lake Club 3rd annual Turkey Trot on

November 24th, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at

The Grande Clubhouse on Thanksgiving Day!


Run, jog or walk 1-mile, 3-miles (5k) and new this year,

6-miles (10k) with your Lake Club

friends & neighbors!


While there are no registration fees, we encourage you to make a donation in any amount benefiting


The Food Bank of Manatee


 Sign-up early to pre-order your t-shirt! (by Oct. 26th)

Questions or need more Info? email:


Jeff Waddle


David Ahrens


Julie Swan

Click to Register

Thank You 

Thank you to our

Turkey Trot

Partners and Supporters


Presenting


David Arhens Re/Max Platinum Realty


Big Bird 


Mosley Investments


The Great Pumpkin


Arthur Rutenburg Homes

GenerX

Misch Dental

MUV/Verano

Stock Homes


Huffin' for the Stuffin'


Anchor Fitness Performance

Barbara Najmy & Company

Budget Blinds

Dawn Merrill - Realtor

Edward James

Morgan Stanley

Najmy Thompson

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Wagner Business Brokerage


Run Now Gobble Later


Alex Chau Real Estate

Damimmo Tours

Hubb Fit

West Coast Plastic Surgery

UPS Store


A Big Congratulations to the Fundraising Team on a successful Sip, Savor & Socialize at Sofia's! A heartfelt thank you to all who were able to join us for our sold out evening. The generosity and fellowship in our Lake Club community is awe inspiring. We netted $5000 of which $3500 was donated to The Manatee Community Foundation  Hurricane Relief Fund and matched 1:1 by The Bishop Parker Foundation.

Action Required

Message from the Grant Committee


Hello Ladies of The Giving Circle, It’s time to start thinking about our upcoming gifting process. This year we have $12,000 in Fund

2 available for gifting to our community. The 2021 recipients were -


Take Stock in Children - - Stillpoint Mission - - The Twig,

Feeding Empty - - Little Tummies - - SPARC - - We Care Manatee


See more

Meet & Greet

New Member Coffee 


Do you have new neighbors or do you know a resident that is not a member of TLC Women's Giving Circle?


The Membership Committee invites new members, new neighbors and prospective members to join and gather  for coffee, bites and engaging conversation about The Circle and how to enhance the lives within our community.

Date: Friday, November 18th

Time: 11:00am

Place: Josephine Coco's Home

     16408 Clearlake Drive

RSVP to Josephine Coco

Get Involved 

Volunteers are needed on November 15th for Bucket Fillers Reading Day in 400 kindergarten – 3rd grade classrooms. For more information or to register for this event please click here.

Helping Hands Opportunity


Children's Home Society has a need for some helping hands with Manatee Elementary Partnership Schools. Food will be dropped at the schools and volunteers are needed to help organize the food pantry. Click here to email Liz Calasans

Together We Are Better

Dear Ladies,


The Outreach Committee aims to give "hands on" help, uplift and support those who are in need of certain services aligning with our mission.

  

"supporting organizations that address the physical, emotional and educational needs of women, children and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties."


Below is the list of organizations that The Circle has supported or is in the process of evaluating for hand on projects:


The Twig - - - Embracing Our Differences

Boys & Girls Club - - - Take Stock in Children

SPARCC - - - Safe Children Coalition

Selah Freedom - - - Hope Family Services

Supporting School Attendance SAS

Manatee County Food Bank


We want to hear from you. Please provide us your recommendations on organizations that would benefit from a hands-on projects. Reply by October 3rd with the following information: 


Name of Organization


Contact Person


Contact Number & Email


Scope of Project


The women of the Lake Club Giving Circle have a generous history of philanthropy…not only monetary, but more importantly,  

contrib-utions of time and talent to causes that continue to benefit and improve the quality of life in our community. We thank you for your recommendations.


The Outreach Committee

Email Liz Calasans

Learn About Local NonProfits

Get behind the scenes at local nonprofits. Manatee Community Foundation has organized a Breakfast Club. These are small group experiences held at various nonprofit locations. A wonderful way to learn about the needs of our community. 

Click Here for Information

Lights Camera Action

We are seeking all photos that you may have taken at any of The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle Events over the years.


Please email Jennifer Alokeh

The Leadership Team





The Board


Chair - Barbara Najmy

Vice Chair - Jennifer Alokeh

Acting Secretary -

Ruth Harshman

Treasurer - Lauren Hirsch


Committee Chairs


Acting Communications & Social Media -

Fran Berg 

Finance - Lauren Hirsch

Terry Martinez

Fundraising - Julie Swan & Terri Prettyman

Grants - Nancy Lepain

Governance - Barbara Najmy

Membership - Sheila Lau Machutta       

 Josephine Coco

Outreach - Deborah Callahan-Stratton

Elizabeth Calasans

Committee Roster
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