Citrus Hills Women's Club supports local causes

Due to COVID-19, the Citrus Hills Women’s Club’s luncheon was canceled for the second year in a row. Therefore, the board needed to be resourceful to be able to continue their philanthropy.
Members were asked to donate funds through a fundraising campaign to be used for charitable donations and scholarships, which generated several thousand dollars. For a donation to the fund at one of the drive-thru collections, members could win prizes or cash, which brought in more funds.
Some money that was budgeted for normal expenditures was not needed due to the cancellation of the luncheons, so those funds became available for philanthropic use. A total of $24,300 was raised in 2020 and 2021, at $12,000 less than the average $36,582 raised the three previous years.


This year, community and charity co-chair, Carol Peterman, volunteered to hold a “cookies & tea” event at her home to present checks totaling $9,000 to six organizations to help support their missions.
Those receiving a monetary donation from CHWC this year were the Citrus County Family Resource Center, CASA, Community Food Bank of Citrus County, Jesse’s Place, Citrus County Blessings and Voices for Children of North Central Florida Inc.
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Individual containers with sensory toys and items were donated to Carter Street Head Start School for each child attending next year. Each child also received a blanket made by members of CHWC to be used when taking naps at school, which they could also take home at the end of the year. In addition, 15 students will receive a $1,000 scholarship from CHWC this year.
Members of the CHWC also collected food, clothing, diapers, laundry soap, cat and dog food and more from the three drive-thru events in 2020 and 2021. Donations were presented to the Family Resource Center, CASA, humanitarians and Carter Head Start School. 
Since 1986, CHWC has awarded more than $506,000 in funds to local charities and scholarships. They are a social and charitable organization established for the purpose of making friends, sharing fun events and providing service to the community.
Membership is open to all women residents of the areas defined as the Villages of Citrus Hills. The club has a motto of “Companionship, Charity and Community.” To learn more, visit citrushillswomensclub.org.