The Circle Connection

Monthly Newsletter

Volume 3 ~ November 2022 

It is hard to believe that it's that time of the year when we gather around the table with our families and pause to reflect that which we are thankful. 

This year, in addition to being grateful for family and friends, I am grateful for each of the members TLC Women’s Giving Circle, and for your leadership team. In the past nine months we have shared laughter, frustrations, and tears as we stayed the course to create the infrastructure in place today. 

While we have made great strides forward, as always there is still work to be done. But when we come together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. It is vital to continue to grow TLC Women’s Giving Circle so that The Lake Club continues to be recognized for making a difference in this community and in the lives of others.

As we approach 2023, we want your ideas, enthusiasm and feedback to enhance TLC Women’s Giving Circle's ability to meet the needs of the community now and in the future. 

So as you gather with your family and friends, take the opportunity to reflect on our many blessings and to be grateful for the gifts we have received. Be mindful of those less fortunate and struggling in our country and our world. 

Thanksgiving is an invitation to rededicate ourselves in our own special way that could make a difference to the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Wishing each of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving Season! 

With much gratitude,

Founder & Board Chair

Barbara Najmy

Join the Fun

Join us for The Lake Club 3rd annual Turkey Trot on

November 24th, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at

The Grande Clubhouse on Thanksgiving Day!

Run, jog or walk 1-mile, 3-miles (5k) and new this year,

6-miles (10k) with your Lake Club

friends & neighbors!

While there are no registration fees, we encourage you to make a donation in any amount benefiting

The Food Bank of Manatee

Questions or need more Info? email:

Jeff Waddle - jeffwaddle@yahoo.com

David Ahrens - davidahrens1@gmail.com

Barbara Najmy - barbara@barbaranajmy.com

Thank You 

Thank you to all our Sponsors and Individuals for supporting The Lake Club 3rd Annual Turkey Trot! We have raised over $20,000 with 165 participants and still going strong. Funds raised will go directly to benefit The Food Bank of Manatee

A special thank you to the all the The Circle's members who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of The Turkey Trot.

There is still time to register to join the race and to make a donation.

Click here to make a donation

Grateful for our Residents

Action Required

Boosting 2022 Annual Grant Fund

The Grant Committee will be tabulating your votes this month and will prepare to distribute $18,000 from the Annual Grant Fund by mid- December.

How amazing would it be to elevate this amount. Please consider an end-of 2022 contribution to boost our annual grant total (Fund 2). Your contribution will go directly to the annual grant fund (Fund 2) and go to work immediately.  Our window of opportunity is short - you will need to act quickly. 

If you are inspired to give an end-of-the-year donation to the annual grant fund, please mail your tax deductible check to Manatee Community Foundation.

Make check payable to Manatee Community Foundation and indicate “TLCWGC FUND 2” in the memo field and mail to the address below by December 15^th. 

Email Lauren Hirsch for details on how to use your Donor-Advised Fund. 

Manatee Community Foundation

2820 Manatee Ave West

Bradenton, Florida 34202

Attention: Amy Treis

Message from the Finance Committee

Upcoming Administrative Fee

Hello Ladies of The Giving Circle, In our October membership meeting, the introduction of a nominal Annual Administrative Fee was introduced and well-received. As our Circle grows, so do our operating expenses. The $25 administrative fee will cover costs related to membership meetings, postage, stationary, signage, subscriptions and to online services, etc. 

The Administrative Fee will be held in The Circle's checking account i.e. separate from Fund I (endowment) and Fund II (annual grant fund) and will be used to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of TLCWGC.

You will receive an email in January related to the new Administrative Fee that will include where to send your check. If you have any questions, kindly Email Terry Martinez.

Together We Are Better

SANTA’S SLEIGH IS RETURNING TO THE LAKE CLUB FOR OUR 10TH SEASON OF GIVING

The Lake Club residents have been so GENEROUS in years past! Imagine how many lives we have touched. And the tradition continues! This year the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County is going Back to Basics. There are 71 more wishes left on the Amazon Gift Registry. In addition, there is a big need for grocery store and gas cards. Click here for more information and Amazon Link

Get Involved 

Giving Tuesday

November 29, 2022

Giving Tuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity. What begun in 2012, has now grown into a community of millions of “givers” with activities in over 80 countries all over the world.

This charitable answer to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday retail shopping days, #GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement to encourage giving and celebrate generosity. Harnessing the collective power of charities, businesses, and individuals, the goal of this initiative is to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in giving all year long -- especially during the holidays. It’s about making someone smile, helping a neighbor, volunteering for a cause you care about, or giving. Every act of generosity counts and we all have something to give.

On this annual day of giving, November 29, 2022, the world comes together to give back in many ways - acts of kindness, gifts of time, talent or treasure. We are so fortunate to live in a beautiful place and yet these times are difficult and discouraging for many.

The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle is asking all of us to do something on November 29.  It can be calling someone who needs to hear from you, giving up a parking space, paying it forward at Starbucks, joining some of us for a day of service at one of the area non-profits or posting what you are grateful for. Giving Tuesday refers to it as “radical generosity”! What a great concept!!

Stay tuned as we share some more ways to celebrate this day of giving!

Making a Difference

I learned today that after Hurricane Ian, there was a mother and her small child that came into the food pantry, after all of hers spoiled due to the power outage. She walked 30 minutes, with a toddler and a heavy backpack, to get to our food pantry because it was the nearest one available. She also mentioned that she was having trouble with paying rent. Thankfully we were able to provide her with enough food and resources for rental and housing assistance. And so that she wouldn't have to endure another 30 minutes of walking, we were able to provide her with a ride home through one of our volunteers. Hurricane Ian left many lives in shambles and picking up the pieces has been hard.

Your volunteering at the food pantry has made a difference and I just wanted you to know that you are appreciated.

Have a great weekend.

Best, Sam

Thank you Julie Swan and Liz Calasans for taking time out of your day to make a difference in the lives of others.

Learn About Local Nonprofits

Get behind the scenes at local nonprofits. Manatee Community Foundation has organized a Breakfast Club. These are small group experiences held at various nonprofit locations. A wonderful way to learn about the needs of our community. 

Seeking Talent

Newsletters – Seeking 2 members to manage relationships and craft and distribute information. This includes TLC Connection and The Circle Connection.

Website – Seeking 2 members to manage the website.  The website is in the process of being designed.  Responsibilities will include maintaining and updating information on the website as needed.

Get to know other women in The Circle and work alongside them to bring ideas to life.

Social Media – seeking 2 members to maintain our social media platforms including FaceBook and Instagram.  Responsibilities will include working together to post happenings of the circle and design daily/weekly posts to social media.

Media – Seeking 1-2 members to craft press releases to all media vehicles.

Flyers/Invitations/Graphics – Seeking 2-3 creative members to work with steering committee chairs to create and craft marketing material.

IF YOU'VE GOT TALENT

Email Jennifer Alokeh

or

Email Barbara Najmy

The Grant Committee will be announcing the 2022 Grant Recipients in the up coming week.

Currently TLC Women's Giving Circle website is under construction. If you would like to be part of the website creative and design team Kindly Email Lauren Hirsch

The Leadership Team