The Women’s Giving Alliance (WGA) of South Lake County held its annual Grant Awards Dinner on Wednesday, November 18^th at Lake Catherine Blueberries.  Kathy Smith, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of South Lake, spearheaded the event.  Gayle Everett Tomasini, president of the WGA, welcomed everyone and introduced Ray Cortes from Be Free Lake who summarized the success that has been accomplished through the grant received last year for the “You’re Not Alone” project, a suicide awareness program that teaches students how to recognize and direct their fellow students to trusted adults for help. Lake Minneola High School was funded by the WGA in 2018 and in 2019 the other two local high schools received the program through the support of the WGA.

Gayle then asked Becky Elswick, chairperson of the Grant Committee to come forward and award this year’s grant.

Becky began by thanking the members of the Grant Committee and all members of the WGA for their work this past year.  She then outlined the research from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, the top issues affecting women which were used in soliciting grant requests this year:  affordable housing, caregiving (elderly & young), economic security, healthcare, and leadership.

This year’s grant of $27,982 was awarded to Find, Feed & Restore under the direction of Pastor Brian Broadway. Find, Feed & Restore aims to eradicate homelessness for families with children in South Lake through “Housing First,” “Permanent Housing Solutions” and “Homelessness Avoidance.”

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The Women’s Giving Alliance was established in 2014 by a group of concerned women who wanted to make an impact on the lives of women and children in the South Lake area. Members’ annual donations of $1,000 are combined and used to fund an annual grant and to contribute to an endowment designed to ensure their efforts will continue for many years to come. Anyone interested in finding out more about the WGA can contact Kathy Smith at 352-394-3818 or at kathy@cfslc.org.  You can also learn more at cfslc.org/agenda-for-impact/womens-giving-alliance/.

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The Clermont Women’s Giving Alliance (WGA) hosted a Fall Social for members and guests on Wednesday, September 16^th at The Ridge Restaurant in the Summit Green Club House.  Those attending were treated to a delicious buffet and beverages while catching up with old and new friends.  Clermont Community Foundation director, Kathy Smith and WGA president, Gayle Tomasini brought everyone up to date on past accomplishments and future plans for the women’s charity.

The Women’s Giving Alliance was founded seven years by a group of women who were interested in pooling their resources in order to have a greater impact on issues affecting women and children in South Lake County.  In the past six years, the Alliance has donated over $150,000 to projects like Women Opting for Wellness, Power Parenting & Equipping Youth.

This year the WGA has solicited grant requests from organizations dealing with issues identified by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women through a series of seminars held throughout the state.  The WGA was honored to be able to host two of these seminars.  The issues identified are:  Affordable Housing, Caregiving, Economic Security, Healthcare, and Women’s Leadership.  The grant money being awarded this year will be almost $28,000.

If you think you or someone you know would be interested in finding out more about the WGA, please contact Kathy Smith at 407-453-3031.

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