On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, LWRWC’s sell-out Fashion Show Charity Fundraiser, “Spring in Bloom on the Ranch” raised $34,000 to benefit the Club’s four adopted charities: SMART, SOLVE, HOPE, and CGF. Fifteen models, members of the club, wore stunning casual, chic, and dressy fashions from Dillard’s UTC, Sarasota, commented by Dillard’s Sales Manager, Sarah Fleming.

Over 200 attendees enjoyed a Gourmet Lunch in the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club ballroom, a Locked Treasures Raffle featuring four treasures worth between $600 to $914, a Silent Auction with 53 items, and an exciting Live Auction for a five night stay in a luxurious condo in Breckenridge Colorado. The fashion show rocked thanks to JB Baxter from “More than Music ” who also served as the auctioneer.

Guest Gallery

President’s Welcome

In her warm welcome, LWRWC 2023 President, Ann Sledz, expressed her appreciation to all who contributed the event’s success and shared her pride that LWRWC is now in its 26th year and has the honor of being an Award-Winning Club, receiving three recent awards for their philanthropic contributions to the community.

Pictured Front L-R: Monika Templeman, LWRWC Fashion Show Charity Fundraiser & Publicity Chair and Ann Sledz, LWRWC 2023 President. Pictured in the Middle L-R : Peggy Kerwin, CEO, Solve Maternity Homes, Rebecca Blitz, CEO, SMART Riding Therapy, and Char Young, CEO, HOPE Family Services. Pictured in Back: Svetlana Ivashchenko, CEO, Children’s Guardian Fund.

Most recently, the Club was nominated by their four adopted charities and selected as the recipient of the “Community Spirit Award” from Manatee Community Foundation which honors the generosity of givers and the resilience of nonprofits serving Manatee County. Ann concluded by thanking and introducing the Event Chair, Monika Templeman.

Many Thanks

In her opening remarks, Monika expressed her sincere thanks to the Fashion Show Committee. She gave special thanks to Sarah Fleming and Dillard’s for donating two baskets valued at over $1200. She thanked Registration Chair, MaryLee Danahy, Silent Auction Chair, Carol Belmont and her team that included Wendy DeGirolamo, Terri Arnold, Ann Sledz, Irene Shatz, Locked Treasure Chests Chairs Janet Dobbs and Regina Joly, Model Coordination and Decoration Chair, Allyson Sokol, Finances Chair, Kathleen Cleveland, and the Event Photographer, David Sledz.