Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club distributes charity donations at year-end meeting

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The Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club held its last meeting of the year May 21 at the Casa Marina Hotel restaurant, and the club distributed its monies raised for the charities for the 2018-2019 year.

Lori Marjerison, chairperson for Charity and Scholarships, handed out the monies raised. 

Emily Richards from BEAM received $1,000. (BEAM is a community-based organization serving low income residents in Jacksonville’s beaches communities.)

Mary McLaughlin, PVWC volunteer advocate, received $1,000 for 210 girls conference entry fees for an all-day workshop at the University of North Florida in April. The girls were able to work on STEM projects and learn more about science, technology, engineering and math. 

 Nicole Pece, development director of the Betty Griffin House, received $2,000 in December of which they were able to receive matching funds and $2,000 at this meeting. Pece told the committee they were always in need of monies to fund their Rape Care Unit. 

Chelsea Rippin from the Saint Augustine Youth Services (SAYS) received $3,500 for a newly started Community Action Team of therapeutic mentors and licensed counselors to provide care in the homes. These boys have suffered abuse and are one step below hospitalization. This club also provides gifts from the Angel Tree for Christmas.  

Tanya Rhodes, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, received $2,000 for its independent living programs like the culinary arts. The club also provides Christmas gifts from the Angel Tree for students who stay at the school during the holidays.

Because of such a successful year raising monies for the charities, the club was able to give a scholarship of $5,000 to one student, Kilmaried Janet Muniz Rivera, to help with tuition at Daytona State College where she will major in Dentistry. Rivera is a recent graduate of the Florida School of the Deaf and Blind and has attended the school for four years. She entered as an English Language learner. She is the second student in the last 25 years to graduate as valedictorian from this program. Kilmaried won the Character Counts Award, was active in Book Club and volunteered at an elderly care support service hosted by her church.  

For more information in upcoming events including the new and perspective member social on Aug. 22, visit the club’s Facebook page at PonteVedraWomansClub. The Ponte Vedra Women’s Club will kick off its next fundraising campaign year with an annual cocktail event 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 17 at Underwood Jewelers.