Windy But Winning Day for the Woman’s Club and Winn-Dixie

The Marco Island Woman’s Club had their Community Service Fun Day on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The blustery day started at South Beach where eight members participated in the Club’s annual fall Beach Cleanup with the City and other community volunteers. Over 35 pounds of assorted plastic items and cigarette butts were collected in an hour! The day concluded with the Club’s “master chefs” winning the Annual Fire Foundation Chili Cook-Off “Judges’ Choice Award” for their entry made from Winn-Dixie’s Ribeye Chili recipe.

Club President Debbie Rago thanked Stephen Shepard, local Winn-Dixie Store Manager, and Jocelyn Gonzalez, Customer Service Manager, for partnering with the Club on its maiden entry into the chili competition. Winn-Dixie shared its corporate chef’s ribeye chili recipe and donated all the ingredients - including 34 pounds of ribeye, 12 pounds of onions and more than 15 pounds of “secret ingredients”. Mrs. Rago said “We couldn’t be more pleased with our Winn-Dixie partnership and our showing at the Cook-Off. It was a fun event for a great cause with stiff competition from the 19 other chili chefs. Thanks to all who came out to support the Club and the event.”

Earlier in the week the Club held its monthly lunch meeting at the Yacht Club where members heard a fascinating but sobering talk by Alina Donahue, a certified Human Trafficking (HT) Specialist at the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Alina educated the audience on adult sex trafficking in Southwest Florida, the HT shelter in Immokalee, and the intensive therapeutic services the Shelter offers to victims through its 18-month HT residential program. The Woman’s Club is a long-time supporter of the Shelter and its programs. This month members donated much needed items from the HT Shelter’s “Wish List,” which can be found at https://naplesshelter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Shelter-Essential-List.pdf.

The Woman’s Club holds monthly lunch meetings at the Marco Island Yacht Club on the first Wednesday of the month, October thru May. We invite you to attend a lunch meeting as a paid guest ($45) to learn more about us in person. To attend a meeting or get membership information, contact Membership Chair, Caitlin Robinson Carlson, at MIWCEL@gmail.com or 239-692-5619. Visit www.marcowomansclub.com to learn more.