Katherine Pike and Rosemarie Tamunday attend the Palm Aire Women's Club luncheon at the Palm Aire Country Club Dec. 5.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
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The Palm Aire Women’s Club’s monthly luncheon was a little merrier Dec. 5 as the members made like Santa Claus.
Club member Katherine Pike dressed as an elf, and Co-president Debi Frock donned a red sequined Santa hat.
More importantly, the approximately 50 guests who showed up carried unwrapped toys for the holiday shop at Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, where victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can shop for free.
“(The toys) mean so much to our survivors and their families,” Philanthropy Officer Melissa Ferlazzo said. “Most of them come to the shelter or the administration building, and they have nothing. They’re just trying to get away from the abuse, so for them to have gifts for their kids for the holidays means a lot.”
After lunch, attendees were treated to a holiday performance from the State College of Florida Chamber Choir. The bulk of the club’s annual fundraising goes to scholarships for SCF. The approximately $12,000 helps at least four students a year earn their degrees.
Katherine Pike and Rosemarie Tamunday attend the Palm Aire Women's Club luncheon at the Palm Aire Country Club Dec. 5.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The Palm Aire Women's Club is led by Co-president Debi Frock, Vice President Sandy Keir and Co-president Carol Darling.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Syble DiGirolamo and Sally Reed sell raffle tickets. Raffle tickets are sold at each luncheon to fundraise for different charities.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Treasurer Susan Romine reads thank you letters from grant recipients.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Meg Garofalo handles publicity for the club. She and club member Syble DiGirolamo celebrate their birthdays in December, so the club sang "Happy Birthday" to them.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Pattie Meades introduces new member Shirley Perdisatt to the club. Since Perdisatt moved from Chicago, Meades asks the other members from Chicago to introduce themselves before the end of the luncheon.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Melissa Ferlazzo, philanthropy officer at Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, stands with Carolann Garafola, who chairs the club's charity committee. Members brought unwrapped toys to the luncheon for SPARCC's holiday store, where clients shop for free.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Past historian Be-Be Hansen, guest Linn Flower Evans and past president Doris McCowen head to the buffet before a performance by the State College of Florida Chamber Choir.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The State College of Florida Chamber Choir performs for the Palm Aire Women's Club on Dec. 5.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
New and old members celebrate the holidays together at the club's December luncheon. From left to right: Membership chair Pattie Meades, new members Pat Reinhart, Shirley Perdisatt, Mary Gard and Co-president Debi Frock.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Lurray Myers is the chamber choir's accompanyist. She's played piano for as long as she can remember and has been with the State College of Florida for 33 years.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Melody Dickerson leads the chamber choir. She's been with the college for 21 years.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The State College of Florida Chamber Choir sings for the Palm Aire Women's Club on Dec. 5.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
