Member of
Join Us To Help Stop Child Abuse!
Lu Giordano - President
I have been an active member of LCWA since 2007 and have held the position of President several times.
In my teenage and young adult years, I was President of various youth groups and young adult organizations in Massachusetts.
I am a retired Assistant Office Manager for a nonprofit organization before moving to FL in 2005 with my husband.
There is so much tragedy in this world that when I learned of the CAC for abused children, I wanted to help and give back to those who are less fortunate and "Put a Smile on their Faces"!
I enjoy every minute of "giving back".
Cathy Schultzel - 1st Vice President
I was born in Valley Stream, Long Island, NY and I lived in Montauk, NY before moving to Leesburg. I have been married to my husband John for 42 years and we have 3 sons, two who live on Long Island, and my eldest lives overseas with his wife and stepdaughter.
I took special courses through the Southampton Public School District to receive my teaching assistant license through the state of NY. I then taught and ran the computer lab for 25 wonderful years in the Middle School and taught multiple courses in Adult Education for the teachers in the district. After retiring, I enjoyed working part time at Walt Disney World for fourteen years in Animal Kingdom.
Since working with children for so many years in education, I was very interested in continuing to work with children by donating my time and energies to raise money for the abused children of Lake and Sumter County. I enjoy working alongside the amazing people of the Children’s Advocacy Center.
I enjoy taking part doing activities with my friends in Legacy such as monthly dinners with the Empire and Veteran’s Club. I am also a member of the Legacy Tea Society and assist Lu Giordano who is the president of that club.
Anita Sherman - 2nd Vice President
Passed away this week on July 15th, 2022. We will greatly miss her.
I was born in Boston, MA and moved to Leesburg from Randolph, MA.
In high school, I directed two Gilbert and Sullivan plays, learned folk dancing, volunteered
at a local hospital, took modern jazz and ballet lessons, and took painting lessons after school.
After high school, I attended the Auburn Hospital School of Nursing in Cambridge, MA. Following nursing school, I became a wife and mother, hospital staff nurse, and did peer review for a company which administered Medicare and Medicaid
contracts.
I also belong to ORT, which helps to train and rehabilitate Israeli citizens. I am a social hour planner for the Beth Sholom Synagogue, and I am a member of the Legacy Chorale.
I joined LCWA to primarily meet other women, to raise awareness of child abuse, and to raise money to
support The Lake and Sumter County Children’s Advocacy Center
I am an avid reader. I have learned Tai Chi, belong to the Legacy Tea Society, sing in the Legacy Chorale, and regularly call my two sons who live out of state.
Marilyn Young - Secretary
I was born in Long Island, New York. I earned a Bachelor of Business from the University of Texas. I am married with three children and three grandchildren. I worked in schools, businesses, and libraries prior to retirement.
I became active in LCWA, to help raise funds for the betterment of the abused children of Lake/Sumter Counties in Florida.
Dr. Lorraine Giardino - Treasurer
I go by Lor for short. I was born in New York City, NY. I lived in Guildford, Connecticut and Greensboro, North Carolina prior to moving to Leesburg.
In high school, I was privileged to be elected editor of the Yearbook and also president of the junior and senior year Student Council.
After high school, I began nursing school through St. Vincent Hospital. After a year and a half, I realized that the only rotation that interested me was Psychiatry. I transferred to U-Conn University and completed my undergraduate in psychology. At the time, I was married and delayed further education until the youngest of my three children entered school.
I returned to school and completed my Masters Degree at Yukon. I was fortunate receiving an internship at Yale New Haven Hospital ’s Adolescent Psychiatry Unit.
We subsequently moved to Florida and I received my Doctoral Degree in 1987- the same year my son graduated from the 8th grade.
My career has been varied, but I have always been concerned with the treatment of families and children. I have been Director of Clinical Services for a national adolescent juvenile intervention company, a hospital administrator for an adolescent hospital, and a faculty member supervising masters and doctoral candidates. Throughout these careers, I maintained a clinical practice.
I belong to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the National Behavior Association (ABA).
I retired with my husband to Arlington Ridge in 2016. When he passed away, I found that I needed to continue to give my support to the children. I was not willing to go back into clinical practice so I found a way to support the most vulnerable children.
After many years of only reading clinical journals, it is time to read for pure enjoyment. That is my main outlet. My other interests are visiting museums, the theatre, sewing, crafts, I’ve recently discovered bocce.
Debbie Holtzapple - Newsletter Editor
I was born in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Before buying our home 4 years ago in Tavares, we had a small little farm in Groveland.
I attended local college and obtained my 220 and 440 license (insurance agent) through the State of Florida.
In my past life, I was an Insurance Agent/Office Manager in Orlando for 15 years. I am currently a Domestic Goddess and proud mom of an amazing 14 year old boy. I love to craft and I am a Plant Mama.
Along with LCWA I am the vice chair for the volunteer group with Lake County Women's Connection. I also work with Lasagna Love, which gifts lasagna dinners to families in need of a helping hand in our direct community.
I have always loved to volunteer and I have a passion for helping my community, so when this opportunity came along to be involved directly with our neighbors, I couldn't pass it up! I am excited to make a difference!
Karen Spry - Events/Fundraising
I moved to Leesburg from Newark, Delware.
While in high school, I was part of the very first Co-op groups who worked in their Senior year in the afternoons after school training us for our careers. I was also in Color Guard in the Marching Band.
During my working career, I attended Delaware Technical and Community College and received my Associate's Degree in Marketing & Management. I then attended the University of Delaware in the evenings to receive my Bachelor's Degree in Family & Community Services.
While working at the University of Delaware, I have held positions as Secretary, Office Supervisor, Staff Assistant and Financial Coordinator. While at the DuPont Company, I was a Purchasing Representative, Quality Assistant, Program Leader, and Client Services Manager.
I have read to children at a Day Care Center while living in Delaware. Currently, I am on the Finance Committee in my Community, Royal Highlands. I am also the Spiritual Chair for the Catholic Community of Women at my church, St. Paul's in Leesburg. I also am a Lector and assist with Sacraments and Faith Formation Classes. I give Communion to the homebound. In addition, I am the Lead Facilitator at my church of a 9-week Foundational Study "Women of Grace".
It is such a worthwhile cause to help the children and, as a part of my church, to also support the local organization that works in conjunction with The Lake/Sumter Children's Advocacy for the women of these children. No child, let alone any person, should have to experience abuse.
Denise Dacosta - Advertising
I was born in Plainview, New York (Long Island). I lived in Orlando before moving to Yalaha. I have one son and one grandchild.
I graduated with a Masters Degree In Social Work and I have a Florida License as a Clinical Social Worker.
I worked 34 years for the Department of Veteran Affairs. The first 12 years were at the Northport VA on Long Island, New York. From 2000 to June 2021, I worked at the Orlando VA Healthcare System as the first Chief of Social Work for 34 years.
I served on the University of Central Florida, School of Social Work Community Advisory Board for more than 10 years.
I love travel and boating. I also have a passion for animal and children welfare.
I joined LCWA to meet like minded women and become involved in the Lake County community.
Kathy Davis - Graphic Designer
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri and lived there until I moved to Florida in 2021.
In high school I joined the art club and a member of Junior Achievement. I also belonged to a sorority. After high school I attended an art school and became a graphic designer.
I worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car world headquarters as graphic designer. In 2020 our marketing department was laid off and terminated due drop in market demand. After 40 years as a graphic artist and was ready for a change and decided to move to Florida.
Since I arrived at Arlington Ridge I have a joined the Quilt to you wilt club, water color club, garden club, dining diva’s and Fairfax players.
I joined LCWA because I have interest in children and would love to help in any way I can to stop the abuse. I enjoy sharing my knowledge in designing the LCWA website.
My dog Abby is my best friend and go everywhere together. I enjoy quilting, gardening and water color painting. If there was better shopping around that would also be on my list.
I moved down here to be near my sister and brother-in-law and Abby’s brother Zoie. The dogs are just 2 years old and have lots of energy. My sister recently got a pontoon boat. Abby and I love going out on the boat.
Traci Vinson - Events/Fundraising
I was born in Fort Lee, New Jersey a little over 6 decades ago. After 17 change of addresses (with the last 10 years in the Orlando area), we finally landed in Leesburg, Florida just about a year ago.
Over the years I have had several different jobs. The one I am proudest of is being a stay at home Mom to three fabulous Military Brats. I was also the Manager of a Restaurant, snack bars, and coffee shop at NAS Whiting Field, which was the most challenging position I have had. I was a tax preparer at H and R Block. This job was the most eye opening. Do you know what a HOOTERS waitress makes! I was the Digital Sales lead at Barnes and Noble, which was my favorite of the three. Most recently, I was Character Attendant at Disney World…my honest to goodness dream job!
After coming to just one meeting, I joined LCWA because of the work it is doing with children. I believe our future lies with the children. What this group is doing directly impacts these young souls.
Other things keep my occupied. My hobby of water color painting has actually turned into a business. I paint happy water colors. Most of the paintings are of clients' pets, but I also paint everything from claw foot tubs to pelicans to family homes. I love it! Painting people’s memories, seeing their reactions (sometimes happy tears), and sharing their love for whatever it is they ask me to paint is incredible. An added plus is that it forces my mind to get nice and quiet, not an easy thing to do. So it is a win win!
As far as the rest, I am pretty much an open book. Ask me anything. Plus, I am a pretty good listener, especially over a cup of coffee. If you need to talk, I am there!
Dr. Sharon Kochlany - Web Designer
I was born in Niagara Falls, NY and moved to Rochester, NY in 1963. I was on the synchronized aquatic team and developed leadership skills at an early age as president of the United Synagogue Youth Group. It was in Rochester that I lived next door to Gene, a boy my age who had Muscular Dystrophy. We became close friends and he was instrumental in my decision to become a special education teacher. He passed away while I was at Bowling Green State University dual majoring in Elementary and Special Education.
After teaching primary educable mentally handicapped children for a year, I left to attend the University of Arizona to earn a Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Emotionally Handicapped. I taught 43 years in almost every grade level including middle school science. I decided to pursue a doctorate degree and earned an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Distance Education in 1999.
As part of those 43 years, I served as a Middle School Technology Specialist, a Technology Staff Development Coordinator, a Zone Staff Development Coach, and a Media Specialist. I conducted District technology workshops on weekends and after school. I also taught in a fast-tract teacher preparation program through Florida Atlantic University and I was an adjunct professor at Nova SE University.
I moved to Coral Springs, FL in 1978 and then to Apopka, FL in 2014 after I retired to be close to my children (a daughter and a son), and one granddaughter at the time. I was in the Apopka Garden Club, the Apopka Women's Association, and I became president of the Orange County Retired Educators Association, which I am still very active in. In 2018, we moved to Arlington Ridge. I am in the Knitting and Crochet group, Book Club, and I am the co-organizer of the Roanoke Drive FRIENDS activity street group. I bowl in the Lakers Bowling League and play bocce ball. I also love conducting research.
I have always looked for ways to give back to my local community while helping children. LCWA certainly fills both of these goals while providing an avenue to meet like-thinking and fun women.
