Asian Women's Club of Lakewood Ranch celebrates heritage

Three years ago, Maria Cora Gaffar sought a way to celebrate her Philippines heritage, but in a colorful way.

Gaffar, the president of the Asian Women's Club of Lakewood Ranch, has organized the annual Orchid Ball since 2013. 

"Asian countries are known for their beautiful orchids," Gaffar said. "And we all love the flower, so it was a perfect name."

This year's ball, which was held Feb. 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Sarasota, featured dinner, dancing and mingling, for a cause. The $85 entrance fee benefited two organizations — Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) and the Food Bank of Manatee — and a $500 scholarship for a female student at State College of Florida.

Members of the Ranch club hail from India, Japan, China and Sri Lanka, among other countries.

"This is a fun way for us to come together and celebrate our different cultures," Gaffar said.