The History of the Wonderful Women of Sugarmill Woods

 The Women of Sugarmill Woods is a public charity organization founded in 1986. During the last 23 years, under the direction of twelve presidents, our club has continually worked to fulfill the pledge, established by our founding mothers, - to enhance the quality of life in our community culturally, socially, and environmentally.

During that very first year $4,500 was raised and donated compared to 2008 when we donated over 64,000 dollars. In total over 500 thousand dollars have been raised and donated, with over 300 thousand dollars awarded as scholarships to Citrus County students.

Our current scholarship offerings include:

- Withlacoochee Technical Scholarship Account with 3 thousand dollars available for 2 semesters each year. Recipient can receive 500 or 1 thousand dollars as determined by the WTI counselor. The scholarship is renewable for the length of the program selected by the student. The recipients’ areas of studies include medical administrative specialist, welding, law enforcement preparation, auto service, computer systems technology, cosmetology, air conditioning - refrigeration and heating, commercial food preparation and three students selected the practical nursing program. Many of these students have completed their programs are now working in Citrus County. 

Graduating seniors are eligible for:

-Central Florida Community College endowment scholarship of 1 thousand dollars awarded each May

-General Scholarship renewable for $500.00 for 8 semesters.

-Technical Scholarship of $500.00 renewable for a maximum of 4 semesters.

The applications for these scholarships are available at the guidance department in area high schools. Each scholarship recipient is responsible to fulfill the required credit hours, maintain their grade point level, and submit their grade reports in a timely manner to receive the scholarship monies for the next semester.

All scholarship applications must demonstrate financial need. WSW scholarships may be used for tuition at any certified Florida college or university.

In 2002 the WSW began a relationship with the Take Stock in Children Scholarship program. This is a statewide venture targeting low-income high-risk students. Statistics state approximately 25% of Florida children live below the federal poverty level. This program targets the high drop out rate and youth crime effects on our society. The scholarship is awarded to students during their middle school years, the 6th through the 9th grades. A four-year college tuition contract is purchased through the Florida Prepaid Tuition Program.

Student's performance outcomes are tracked and reported from the time children enter the program through their graduation from high school with plans to continue this process throughout their college years. Each recipient is assigned a mentor who meets with the student weekly at his or her school. Volunteer mentors are always needed. They are trained, supported and monitored by the Take Stock manager here in Citrus County – Pat Lancaster. The mentors provide their mentees with motivation, guidance, friendship, and they are encouraged to continue their relationship over a multi-year period. Many WSW members and their spouses have been and continue to be mentors in this program. Several of our members have also served on the Take Stock Leadership Council.  

The WSW has awarded 22 Take Stock Scholarships. Two sets of sisters are currently on our rooster. Our first awardee is completing his junior year in college, three students started their freshman year this past fall, and five will graduate from high school this May.

Scholarship awards are presented annually at our April meeting. Students and guests are invited to our luncheon, introduced to the membership, and presented with their scholarships. Several members of the WSW Board attend the High School and Take Stock in Children award programs each May to officially present the winners with their scholarships. These events are the most rewarding experiences.

We meet the students, their family members, friends, and classmates and publicly recognize their accomplishments.

Please ask to take a look at our Education and Scholarship Album at our luncheons. Read a bio or two and see the future of our community.

Our primary fundraiser for the WSW scholarships is the annual "Schoolastic” Golf Classic to be held at the Sugarmill Woods Country Club on the last Monday of February. This is an 18-hole event and lady golfers are invited to participate from Citrus County and surrounding clubs. 100% of the proceeds are directed to our scholarships.

The children of Citrus County ARE our priority. Besides the annual scholarship awards our members work tirelessly on behalf of the kids. Just express a need at Homosassa Elementary and our members are ready to solve it.

List of programs have we supported. Some are ongoing and others have been replaced based on the needs and the requests of the HES staff:

- Classroom tutoring – special advanced math program

• The Reading is Fundamental Program –we host the onsite event and provide a book for every student several times each school year

• Our Writer’s Luncheons - encourage the students to demonstrate their creativity

• Student Needs Fund – provided monies to cover lunch and extreme emergency supplies and administered by HES principal

• A Sneaker Tree – sneakers and socks available in the gym closet for the student unable to take the class without these essentials

• Reading Kaleidoscope Program

• Multiple Donations for HES projects including $10,000.00 in 1999 & $2,000.00 for the sound system at the newly constructed HES

• Various Sewing Projects included Chorus Costumes

• A Reading Tag Program

• Adopt A Student – A Holiday Gift Project for Special Needs Students

• Stock the Closet – Clothing items from underwear to hats for needy students

• Personal Care items for classes on daily hygiene

• Shared experiences included a gingerbread house constructed by WSW members and a group of students

• The list continues and the hours total many- many thousands over the years. WSW members donated approximately 1,000 hours during the 2007-08-club year.

Many other projects benefit our children – Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers and Sisters, Family Resource Center, CFCC Library, Homosassa Library, TSIC mentors, CRHS Health Care Academy, Jesse’s Place, People to People Ambassador Project, Youth leadership Council, and Camp E Ninni-Hassee.

Over the years we have contributed to several county food pantries, currently our members help with the set up and distribution at the WE CARE facility.

The US military is also an ongoing project we have adopted soldiers, made neck coolers, sponsored a phone home calling card program, collected used cell phones, and launched Operation Cookie Drop. Over 600 dozen cookies and other goodies have been mailed to Florida units serving in the Middle East during the 2008 & 2009 Christmas Season. Our Creative Hands sewing group is beginning a new project to make helmet liners for our military.

WSW members volunteer at nursing homes, the Homosassa Wildlife Park, Homosassa library, Home Delivered Meals, and many other organizations within our community. Financially we have funded and continue to fund projects at CASA and the CC Hospice these organizations received donations our very first year. Several years ago we donated seven thousand dollars to NAMI – Citrus National Alliance on Mental Illness. They needed fifty thousand dollars to start their clubhouse operation in Citrus County. Our donation made this project a reality.

Mental illness strikes one in four Americans between the ages of 18 and 54. Citrus County has more than 500 adults with a diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the world.

Many other organizations have also benefited from WSW generosity to name a few the KEY Center, Seven Rivers Hospital, CC League of Women Voters, Chassahowitzka Fire Services, Adult Literacy, American Red Cross, and the list goes on and on. The donation process is directed by our Community Services Director and approved by the BOD each club year.

While the members of the WSW are the workers for all our events but our fundraising efforts could not be as successful without the continued support of the Citrus County business community. As one of the solicitors for the WSW I have experience first hand the respect and generosity of many local businesses and corporate facilities from as far away as British Columbia. Mark McCoy from Fairway Recognition contacted me to offer a banner made with our logo for our 2008 “schoolastic” event.

We personally thank each local donor with a copy of the program and a thank you letter. For supporters out of the area we mail and email these materials. Our members are encouraged to support these business partners and extend their personal thanks for their participation.

While we may appear to focus on our fundraising and donations to community organizations from the beginning members and member needs was a top priority. Communication has and continues to be a main concern. A newsletter was produced during the very first year of activities. In our archives there are typewritten articles, reports and financial statements – it was 1986. Typewriters outnumbered computers.

Current WSW communication systems include a monthly newsletter – September through May, an annual directory, a web site, and bi-monthly e-mail updates.

Monthly luncheons and programs provide the opportunity to meet fellow members, socialize, plan and discuss the wishes and dreams for the WSW. Intra-club activities include the usual card games, book groups, and sewing. Past years included scrap-booking, bridge in various competitions and lessons, knit & stitch, mothers and mothers in law, an international dining adventure, line dancing, Stage crafters theatre group, arts & crafts, nutrition, and conversational French and German. The most recent additions to intra-club activities are Mah Jong and a walking group.

Special events and group trips over these 23 years range from bus trips, boat cruises, and carpooling to attractions as far away as St. Augustine. Our members have attended major league baseball in Tampa, tried to make a hole in one at the World Golf Village, placed a “small” wager at Tampa Downs Race Track, and tried their luck at the slot machines at the Hard Rock Casino. Gardens, butterflies, museum tours, inside the tents at the circus, Princess Dianna’s gowns, and of course the ever favorite craft fair at Mount Dora have transported our members and guests to a special place for the day.

Newcomer’s teas and coffees have produced many new members, Christmas house tours allowed members to view the magic of the season through their neighbor’s eyes, and the loan closet has provided those little necessities when houseguests or grandchildren arrive.

How do we do this? Lots and lots of hard work by many members year round. Our members have collected recipes, produced cookbooks, designed note cards, created holiday cards with a special Florida theme, and marketed Sugarmill Woods license plates – still available by the way. We have hosted many bake and bake-less bake sales, sold WSW Tee shirts, and helped our members keep neat and tidy homes by collecting and selling their treasures at our annual trash and treasure sale. Military card parties provide a relaxing fun environment to play cards, enjoy homemade snacks and raise money. Our major fundraisers continue to be our annual fashion show and the “schoolastic” classic golf tournament.

In 1995 the WSW became the proud owners of 6 acres of undeveloped land on route 480 adjacent to the firehouse. Our dream is to build a club house but to date none of our plans have made this dream a reality.  However,  we still do believe we will achieve this goal using the same commitment to hard work, perseverance, and grit demonstrated by our founding mothers.

Betty Welch our president in 1996 stated, “This club is made up of women who dream, create, initiate, and produce. They do this with enthusiasm, talent, dedication, and determination as they try to meet the challenges of our growing community.”

The Citrus County Chronicle on Friday, May 9, 2008 editorial headlined “Wonderful Women” – "Group makes positive impact on community".  This was a most enjoyable complimentary column noting - WSW are close to legendary. It concluded with Hats off to an amazing organization of tireless women who have found that their personal commitment is indeed making a difference in the lives of people in their community.  Click HERE to view the Chronicle article.