Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation celebrates Galentine's Day
Members of the Ranch's six Women's Giving Circles enjoyed chocolate, wine and socializing Feb. 9.
By
Amanda Sebastiano
| 10:46 p.m. February 9, 2016
East County
Neighbors
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Chocolate? Check. Wine? Check. Red or pink dresses and stilettos? Check and check.
Although it happened the week before Valentine's Day, this event wasn't for couples and celebrating romance, though.
"As women, we are so much stronger together," said Wendy Steele, founder of the Impact 100 nonprofit organization, which brings women together to donate money to charities in their communities. "We are a sisterhood, and we're making our communities better, stronger places to live."
Women from Lakewood Ranch's six Giving Circles came together for socializing, cocktails and sweet treats, Feb. 9, during the annual Godiva Into Chocolate Galentine's Day event at the Lake Club clubhouse.
The event celebrated the collectively hundreds of thousands of dollars the groups have collected since the Giving Circle idea was created in 2011.
Giving Circles are groups of women who raise money for charities.
At the event Tuesday, Stillpoint House of Prayer received a $1,573 check from the first Ranch circle, the Lakewood Ranch Women's Charitable Fund.
"This money will go toward buying diapers for in-need families," volunteer David Wagner said. "Thank you for what you're doing."
Robyn Faucy and Susan Morris, of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, enjoy cold drinks and good company.
Rae Dowling, Wanda Martinetto, Kathy Collums, Erin Wright and Heather Kasten are members of Sisterhood for Good.
Ruth Harshman and Maria Gaffar represent The Lake Club "TLC" Giving Circle.
Janel Shinn and Amanda Tullidge, of Cheers for Charity, are co-founders of the newest giving circle.
Julie Smith (far right) and other members of her group, the Lakewood Ranch Women's Charitable Fund, chose to donate to Stillpoint House of Prayer.
Bobbie and Doug Wagner accept a donation on behalf of Stillpoint House of Prayer, a food pantry in downtown Bradenton.
Susan Atherton, of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, explains the importance of women working together.
Manatee Community Foundation board member Lillian Elliott enjoys a presentation.
Elaine Steinfurth, Sydney McSweeney, Ann Lynd and Janet Stickel chat with friends after the event.
"In a Catholic school whose motto was, 'I not we,' I felt alone at times. But that saying has stuck with me over the years, and we as women are so much stronger together," said Wendy Steele, founder of Impact 100.
Sharyn Nassau, Lauren Hirsch and Nancy Lepain became friends through their giving circle.
Lucianna Lanza, Wanda Martinetto, Ruth Harshman and Kathy Collums enjoy drinks and laughs.
Cheers for Charity members consist of 20- to 40-year olds who are young professionals in the East County community.
Patti Wrobel, Diane Brune and Shari Phillips are members of different giving circles.
The event featured various types of Godiva chocolates.
