Home

On Saturday October 26thth, the Valencia Lakes West Women’s Club held their annual Walk & Roll for a Cure. Over 200 Valencia Lakes residents participated in the 2.2 mile walk around the community, led by cancer survivors.  The 2024 proceeds benefit Moffitt Cancer Center SouthShore, the new facility opening in Ruskin next year. Philanthropic funding is critical because cancer continues to affect over 10 million people worldwide as a cure is being sought. 

 

Moffitt representative Melody Sofi was in attendance and provided a brief presentation. T-shirts were generously provided by realtors Zoki Mbolekwa, Kelly Peer, Phillip Wade from Dalton Wade Realtors, and Lisa Gudath from Turner Title. Culligan Water supplied over 20 cases of water and Einstein Bros. donated bagels for the breakfast that followed the event.

 

In addition to the light breakfast following the walk, raffles and a silent auction, with items donated by local businesses, Valencia Lakes residents, and VL clubs were held.  Historically, Valencia Lakes West Women’s Club has donated a total of $195,000 to the Moffitt Foundation and this year will surpass the $200,000 figure. Donations will be accepted until the end of the year, and anyone wishing to donate can do so at https://www.vlwomen.org. The final 2024 Walk proceeds will be presented to Moffitt in January 2025.

Valencia Lakes West Women’s Club: Fifteen Years of Philanthropy

The Valencia Lakes West Women’s Club (VLWWC) was founded in 2009 with a mission of contributing to the local community through voluntary endeavors and charitable giving. 

Each year the Club holds its annual Walk & Roll for a Cure to benefit the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. With involvement of the entire Valencia Lakes community, the club has cumulatively donated $195,000 thus far. This year monies will be earmarked for the Moffitt Southshore campus in Ruskin. Over 200 walkers are expected to participate in the Walk on October 26, 2024, which will be followed by a breakfast, silent auction, and raffles.

The VLWWC has a strong educational outreach program featuring an annual scholarship program financially supporting high school seniors who are academically gifted and community minded. This year the Club awarded $12,000 in scholarships to 6 Sumner High School students. Historically, the Club has awarded $109,000 in scholarships. A Tea Party and Spring Fashion Show are fundraisers for the program. The Club’s Back to School Drive delivers school supplies to both Wimauma and Reddick Elementary Schools. Generous monetary donations have assisted with special secondary school requests for computer headphones, musical instruments, t shirts to enhance school culture, and blankets for a reading program. Look for the Back to School Drive starting July 13.

Over the past three years the Club has expanded its philanthropy to include donations to Mary & Martha House, a women’s shelter in Ruskin, the all-volunteer Sun City Center EMS through a Wear Red Dinner Dance, and the Southshore Campaign Against Human Trafficking. In the fall/winter, emphasis is on the Holiday Food Drive, Angel Tree Gift Giving, and Adopt-A-Family program which supports children and families of St. Guadalupe Parish. All these philanthropic endeavors are made possible by the support that the Valencia Lakes community provides for the VLWWC. 

Any community member wishing to obtain more information or interested in joining please check the website at https://www.vlwomen.org.