The Villages Al Kora Shrine Ladies marked their 10-year anniversary Tuesday at Orange Blossom Hills Country Club where they held their first meeting in 2005.
Noel Jennewine and her friend Carol Sue Roberts founded the local organization to support the Shriners’ Hospital for Children in Tampa through fundraisers and social events.
The group initially began with 12 members, but has attracted a lot of new members over the past decade. Members meet every fourth Tuesday at the Cottage Inn in Lady Lake to discuss ideas and events.
Original members have Masonic affiliations and are wives of Shriners, but the group is open to anyone who would like to help the hospitalized children.
“These ladies work so hard toward our main goal. It’s heart warming for me to see all these people here,” says Jennewine.
Jan Watkins of the Village of Chatham is in charge of the group’s newsletter and discussed the upcoming major events to raise money for the hospital.
The Shrine ladies will hold a garage sale on Oct. 23 and will also sell White House Historical Association Christmas Ornaments this holiday season.
In May 2016, the Al Kora Shrine Ladies are also sponsoring the Leesburg Melon Patch Players’ production of “Brigadoon.” They will be selling tickets with all proceeds benefitting the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Tampa.
Judy Chaffin, president of the group, explained that they visit the children’s hospital once a year to go on an educational tour and meet all the patients they help.
Some of the members expressed what they love most about being a part of the organization.
“I’m all for helping the kids and I love seeing the children’s faces of appreciation,” said Judy Davis of the Village of Liberty Park, who has been a member since 2008.
