Members and friends of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale (WCF) recently met at Starkie Brothers Garden Center in Farmingdale to make holiday cornucopias filled with fresh plants and artificial seasonal decorations. This event was planned by the club’s Ways & Means Committee, which is chaired by Vicky Impollonia.
(Photo courtesy of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale)
Each cornucopia was an individual work of art. Guests also enjoyed refreshments supplied by the committee. Several raffles, with donated or purchased prizes, contributed to the amount raised. Committee members include Margaret Barrett, Lynne Cahill, Dolores Cianciabella, Ann Ciuffo, Karen Coonan, Diane Getzelman, Lynda Leone, Gail McGuirk, Elaine Ryan, Lorraine Stanton and Judith Vazquez. Thank you to the members and guests who made it a creative and profitable evening.
(Photo courtesy of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale)
The WCF was also proud to honor two-time club President Tina Diamond and her executive board, 1st VP Lynda Leone, 2nd VP Vicky Impollonia, Recording Secretary Edie Allen, Corresponding Secretary Judith Vazquez, treasurer Cathy Sewell and auditor Ann Lomonte with a celebratory luncheon at the Nutty Irishman. These ladies proudly kept all the club’s business and philanthropic programs running smoothly during the very difficult time of COVID-19 restrictions.
(Photo courtesy of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale)
Kudos to Luncheon Chair Cheryl Parisi and her committee—Nancy Carman, Ann Lomonte, Cathy Sewell and Val Thieke for organizing a delicious lunch. Beautiful fall pumpkin centerpieces decorated each table and were made by the committee at Carman’s home and distributed to former past presidents in attendance. Also in attendance to share in the festivities were Diamond’s son Dave and her beautiful granddaughter CeCe.
Linda Kreussling read a beautiful poem in memory of Jane Lee Nosal, who was a Past President of MARS, GFWC-NYS and the WCF.
The WCF and friends also joined together to entertain the members of the Farmingdale Adult Day Care Center by singing patriotic songs to honor those remembered for their service on Veterans Day. This is an annual tradition, organized by Welfare Chair Rosemary Emigholz and her committee, which takes place several times a year to celebrate various holidays in song. Thank you all for supporting this much appreciated program.
The WCF presented Farmingdale Adult Day Care Center Director Anthony Lombardi with a $50 check at their Holiday Fundraiser. The fundraiser included seasonal wreaths, fresh baked goods, raffle baskets, gift cards, lottery tickets and much more. Thank you to all who donated raffle items and helped to make the day so successful. More than $4,000 was raised.
(Photo courtesy of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale)
It was a Merry Little Christmas Party at La Villetta Restaurant in Farmingdale for members of the WCF. Hosted by Lorraine Stanton and Maria Ortolani, the party also served as one of two collection venues for the club’s annual donation of holiday tote bags for the homeless children of Madonna Heights. These bags are filled with books, stuffed animals, blankets and any additional items a child in transition might need. Stanton raffled off two $50 gift cards to La Villetta to the surprise of the two winners. Many members wore “red,” with an additional touch of “red lipstick,” to honor the heroine of the latest book club selection—Code Name Helene—an actual World War II spy who always made sure to wear her brilliant red lipstick before “going to work” as an Allied spy. And it’s always a pleasure to have former members, who are now associate members, join us for meetings, events and parties and we thank Madeline Bondietti, Hilda Carmen and Joan Flaumenbaum for helping us celebrate the upcoming holidays.
(Photo courtesy of the Women’s Club of Farmingdale)
Once again, the WCF continued it’s annual tradition to put a smile on the faces of children during the Christmas season. Welfare Chair Rosemary Emigholz and members Tina Diamond, Anna Ievolo, Vicky Impollonia, Maria Ortolani, Cheryl Parisi and Lorraine Stanton, donated and delivered 39 tote bags filled with stuffed animals, blankets, books and assorted toys and toiletries to Madonna Heights, a Dix Hills 24-hour care facility which addresses the physical, emotional and social needs unique to women and girls. In particular, its Morning Star Program provides women in recovery, including women with young children, with a safe, home-like environment focused on helping them develop a dependence-free, self-supporting lifestyle. A group residence offering an environment that teaches, strengthens and encourages young women to heal from trauma. In addition, WCF President Tina Diamond also donated several very large boxes and plastic bags filled with dozens and dozens of insulated lunch bags and stuffed animals from a very generous “Santa” friend. All of the above was immensely appreciated by Lisa Forgione at the Support Center for Madonna Heights. Visit www.sco.org for more information about the center.
—Submitted by Maria Ortolani
