East County women's club aims to make a difference

LaShawn’te Lee graduated from the State College of Florida on Dec. 6 in front of three of her four children. 

“I showed my children — never give up,” she said. “I graduated high school 24 years ago, so for me to get my bachelor’s degree after all of the trials and tribulations that life has thrown my way, I could not be more proud of myself.” 

Earning a degree in early childhood education wasn’t easy while working full-time and raising four children, who are now ages 7, 9, 14 and 21.

Lee is the program operations coordinator for the Head Start program in Sarasota and had a 3.09 grade point average at State College of Florida. 

However, there was one class she struggled with — Communications.  

“Although I communicate well via words, and sometimes on paper, I just did not pass this class,” she said.

Since she failed the class, the scholarship she had through her work would not pay for another class. She needed to take it again to graduate.

Lee was referred to the Palm Aire Women’s Club by the State College of Florida Foundation. Co-President Debi Frock said the club’s scholarships are intended for students like Lee. 

“It’s not unusual for us to pick an applicant who is somebody maybe 40 or 50,” Frock said. “Even though it’s not a huge scholarship, would this scholarship actually be the difference between you going back to school and starting something new or staying where you are and struggling? That’s what we look at.” 

Photo by Lesley Dwyer

In Lee’s case, a $750 scholarship meant she could graduate on time in December. She was in her final year, so facing another hurdle so close to the finish line was “rough.” 

“That scholarship was right on time,” Lee said. 

The club provides about $12,000 a year to SCF students, which is split among at least four students. The club grants two additional $500 scholarships to students attending Manatee Technical College. 

Beyond the scholarship, Lee received support, encouragement and understanding from the club’s members. Some told stories about when their children were young and how they started something new, too.  

“I want to be like them when I grow up,” Lee joked. “Being around them, I’m so inspired. They’re a great group of women.”

Frock said she enjoyed the other members' company right away. When she found out the group was charitable and it only cost $40 to join, the Longwood Run resident signed up. 

Frock doesn’t live in Palm Aire as that's not a membership requirement. There are members who live in Parrish and Palmer Ranch, too. 

The club originated in the Palm Aire Golf and Country Club over 60 years ago, so the name remains. The country club is also the club’s main meeting place. 

Each year, the women host a fashion show in the ballroom, where club members and scholarship recipients strut their stuff to fundraise. 

This year’s show will be held on Feb. 21. The theme is Effortless Elegance and will feature fashions from Darci, a Sarasota boutique.

“Picture Audrey Hepburn in pearls,” Vice President Sandy Keir said. “A lot of the decorations will be black and white with pearls and pink tulle.” 

The fashion show is the club’s largest fundraiser, but members give back year round. 

Each month’s luncheon features a collection of some sort. In December, the women collected unwrapped toys for Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center. 

Photo by Liz Ramos

Additionally, the club awarded eight grants, ranging from $500 to $1,500, to local charities last year with a target on smaller organizations. 

While members donated toys to SPARCC, Charity Committee Chair Carolann Garafola said the club wouldn’t issue SPARCC a grant because it operates with a large budget.  

An exception is if a larger organization has a clear target, such as Hope Family Services, which had a goal to establish a children’s counseling center. 

“That was a very important piece for them that gave us a focus,” Garafola said. 

She used the Brotherhood of Men, a mentorship program, as an example of a smaller nonprofit to benefit from one of the club’s grants. The grant helped pay for 20 young men to travel to Washington, D.C. over the summer. 

It’s not all about fundraising though. Each month, one club member hosts the Mix and Mingle at their home.

“The Mix and Mingle is where you make the friendships,” Frock said. “It starts with having those one on one conversations.”