Woman's Club Spreads Message of Holiday Hope

We all want the Norman Rockwell Christmas with the perfect family gathering of laughter and well-behaved children. We want our homes to look like something out of a magazine. We want to create precious memories with our children that will last a lifetime. These are all good desires, but bad idols.

In the blink of an eye, an honorable desire gets out of hand when we put it above the people who come into our lives. Life happens, and in our quest for perfection, we forget that not everyone can have that perfect ideal.

'Tis the season of giving. Many of us dream of making a difference in someone's life this time of year. Maybe it's because we're nurturing feelings of nostalgia, fueling our Christmas spirit, or trying to abide by a motto of goodwill to all. However, often the Holidays get away from us, opportunities get passed by in the hustle and haste, and we never actually follow through on our best intentions.

The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales believes in spreading the Hope of the Holidays now and all year round. On November 12th, they spread the message that although we are isolated and reluctant to gather for those Holiday meals, we can still experience the satisfaction of knowing that we can give back to our community in creative ways. The Club hosted a take-out Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser that was well received and that will help support projects that benefit the community.

The Women then held a Food Drive that netted 181 pounds of food that was given to the Care Center in time for Thanksgiving, again spreading the message of Hope and Caring for those in the community that have seen the misfortunes of these times of job losses and business closures.

The General Federation of Women's Clubs reminds GFWC members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community-locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. To that end, an international Day of Service was initiated in December. The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales proudly participated in this initiative to spread Hope with love, honor, and respect within the community.

On Dec. 3 several women of the Club gathered with the Arts and Culture Chairwoman to create handmade cards for the residents of the Savannah Court Nursing Home. Sixty-one cards were made that day, showing the ladies' desire to make Christmas a better time for those who will not be able to be with family this year. In addition, the Club's Health and Wellness Committee replaced in-person Christmas caroling to the residents with a beautiful video of Christmas songs, pictures, and greetings from each of the Club members that were presented to Savannah Court as well as to The Groves Nursing Home and to Grace Rehabilitation Center. Two hundred Christmas Cards were distributed in total all to all three facilities in the hopes that the message of Christmas would bring some comfort to the residents.

To continue the Day of Service message, the Woman's Club held another food and toy drive for the Care Center. Fifty some toys and gifts were collected, and bags and bags of food were delivered to the collection Center. On Dec. 4 five of the Club ladies participated in wrapping Christmas Gifts at the Care Center Holiday Gift Center.

To love well means to shower much grace on those around you, and this will give you much grace as well. Be quick to see the things that give joy to others, for joy is like treasure this time of year. Do not exchange the Joy of the Season for the need to be flashy and extravagant for yourself. Delight in the small things you can do for others, for this is the true Christmas Gift.