Join Us To Help Stop Child Abuse!

I have been an active member of LCWA since 2007 and have held the position of President  several times.

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 In my teenage and young adult years, I was President of various youth groups and young adult organizations in Massachusetts. 

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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".

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.

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.

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I became active in LCWA, to help raise funds for the betterment of the abused children of Lake/Sumter Counties in Florida.

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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!

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.

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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.  

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I served on the University of Central Florida, School of Social Work Community Advisory Board for more than 10 years.

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I love travel and boating. I also have a passion for animal and children welfare.

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I joined LCWA to meet like minded women and become involved in the Lake County community.

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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.

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.

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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!

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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!

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. 

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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. 

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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.

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 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.

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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.

My husband Frank and I retired to Leesburg (Legacy) from Bayonne, NJ permanently in 2017.  I am a retired RN, spending the majority of my career in the Operating Room. As my service continued, I went from Clinical Coordinator of Neuro and General surgery to Coordinator of Everything! My surgeons could count on me to get the job done. I always say, “Once a nurse, always a nurse. It’s like the Mafia, you know too much.”

 Many of my friends know that I am a cat person, love Disney, and the color purple.  Not necessarily in that order!  Our lives are full here, as we joined clubs and committees in Legacy to make friends.  I met Lu through the Tea Society of Legacy and was invited to a LCWA luncheon in Nov. 2021.  After that luncheon, learning about LCWA, I knew I needed to become a member. I joined in Jan. 2022.  I love being part of an organization that helps children in any way needed.  I am willing to work hard and get results.  I truly want to put a smile on a child’s face.