Palm Aire Women's Club donates $9,000 in grants to local nonprofits

Rosemary McCullen, a volunteer for Mothers Helping Mothers, sees at least 120 women come to the nonprofit each week for diapers, formula and underwear. 

She said more clients are coming to the nonprofit as the cost of diapers and formula increases. 

With the help of a grant from the Palm Aire Women's Club, McCullen said Mothers Helping Mothers will be able to buy more supplies to provide to its clients. 

"Without that (grant), we can't purchase these items," she said. "One package of diapers only lasts maybe a day. These mothers are so grateful and will take whatever we can offer. It means a lot because they have nothing."

The Palm Aire Women's Club distributed $9,000 in grants to seven nonprofits in Manatee and Sarasota counties during a luncheon May 10. 

"Giving is very fulfilling," said Carolann Garofalo, the chairman for charities for the women's club. "We all work together to make that happen. It's not just one person. It's our mission."

The women's club has 120 members. 

Like Mothers Helping Mothers, Caroline Lawrence with Baby Basics of Sarasota, said the grant will help the nonprofit buy diapers. She said the nonprofit provides diapers for 150 babies every month. 

Char Young, the CEO of Hope Family Services, said the nonprofit has added a children's counseling center to its property, and the grant will help to provide food for the children. The center serves approximately 30 children, providing individual and group counseling to children affected by domestic violence. 

The grant also will help to feed the residents and outreach participants of Hope Family Services. 

Brotherhood of Men in Sarasota will be able to take 20 boys to Washington D.C. with the grant the nonprofit received. 

Charles Shortridge, the director of planning and financial literacy for Brotherhood of Men, said many of the boys have never been on an airplane or out of the state before. 

April Glasco, the CEO and founder of Second Chance Last Opportunity, said the grant her nonprofit received will allow her organization to continue doing the necessary programs to help others.

Second Chance Last Opportunity has an emergency crisis center that provides healthy food, baby supplies and personal hygiene items. The grant will go toward purchasing more supplies for the emergency crisis center. 

Glasco said receiving support from local clubs and organizations like the Palm Aire Women's Club is important.

"It helps us to know we're not by ourselves when it comes down to helping the community," she said. "This is a great organization that helps us to keep pushing forward to do the work that's necessary and has a great impact."