The corner room in The Lake Club’s Grande Clubhouse was meticulous on the afternoon of Feb. 27 when the Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle held its annual Celebration of Women, Philanthropy and Community.
The sun was shining in through large glass windows overlooking the veranda. Chatter bounced off the walls. Macarons and parfaits were artfully displayed on tiered trays, among a feast of appetizers and sweets. Servers circulated through the room, topping off glasses and taking plates.
“We live in a bubble here (in The Lake Club),” board member Nancy Lepain said. “And two miles away from us, people are suffering in poverty and children don’t have food. It’s our responsibility to help in any way we can to make their lives a little better.”
The group doesn't simply write checks from the bubble. They were recognizing the volunteer hours, food and clothing drives and also the $33,000 given to nonprofits across the area in 2024.
The event brought together sponsors, such as Jared Hermann with Morgan Stanley, and grant recipients, such as Maribeth Phillips, CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
When Meals on Wheels held a cereal drive in May 2024, the club collected 152 pounds of cereal.
“Considering how light cereal is, that was a lot of boxes,” Vice-chair Jennifer Alokeh said. "This evening is a celebration of the tangible impact we've made in our community through our grants, outreach initiatives and collective power of women coming together for a shared mission."
Barbara Najmy and Nancy Lepain sit on the board for The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Paula Olsen and Margie Meyer are club members. Meyer spent her career in finance, but took up abstract painting about 20 years ago. When Hope Family Services updated its domestic violence shelter, Meyer donated over 20 of her paintings.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Andrea Stephens, Renee Snyder and Kathleen McCoy enjoy the afternoon out of the office. Stephens and McCoy work for the Pines of Sarasota, and Snyder is the president and CEO of Sarasota's Habitat for Humanity.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
After moving in 18 years ago, no one has lived in The Lake Club longer than Mildren Chaykin. Only one family moved in before her, and she said they moved out.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Maria Gaffar is a member of The Lake Club's Women's Giving Circle and also the president fo the Asian Women's Club of Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Club members Maureen Cozzi and Fran Berg are recognized at the event for partnering with The Lake Club for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. The Lake Club's team ranked 25th in the nation after raising over $63,000.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Wendy Fox and Adria Buzzard are neighbors. Buzzard is new to The Lake Club, so Fox is introducing her to the giving circle.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Joe Najmy, Maribeth Phillips and Jared Hermann chat during the cocktail hour.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Club members Carmela Quagliato and Josephine Coco are the welcoming committee, handing out name tags.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Vice-chair Jennifer Alokeh summarizes the club's numerous accomplishments in 2024.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Beyond the Spectrum's Lauren Carpenter talks about knowing the value of her work because her brother Scotty has attended the school since 2017 and is now part of the adult learning program.
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.
