By Starr Munro Riverbend News
One group of ladies in Mayo worked hard over the holidays to ensure holiday cheer for their local communities. Mayo Woman's Club orchestrated multiple projects that certainly made a difference to families and people in need in their area, after the uncertainty that 2020 brought to many small towns all over America.
After a special request was made in November from the Seven Gables Food Ministry of Lafayette County, $500 dollars was donated by the club to help purchase and distribute items to 315 seniors, 376 adults, 165 teenagers, 193 children and 14 infants. The food items included turkey breast and all that was needed to prepare a complete Thanksgiving meal. Dozens of warm fleece scarves were also made and distributed by club members for use in the Lafayette County Homeless/Migrant Program. Over 50 holiday baskets were delivered to these same families at Thanksgiving, with members providing the much needed items, which was everything from clothing to towels and soap.
During Christmas time, the club was part of the "Wreaths Across America," an annual event that honors Veterans. Their club sponsored 10 wreaths as a group while other members sponsored even more individually. They have plans to make this a yearly tradition, and hopefully next year, when the coronavirus makes life less complicated, they can travel to the National Cemetery in Tallahassee to lay down the wreaths in person. They plan to turn the event into a educational moment for the youth, to help the children of Mayo understand patriotism. Gift bags were also put together by the women of the club and presented to Lafayette Nursing Home clients in December. Small stuffed animals, Christmas candy and Christmas socks were enjoyed by the clients upon opening their gift bags.
But their good endeavors aren't restricted to only the holiday season, Mayo Woman's Club is active all year long. Just last year they donated a dictionary to every third grade student at Lafayette Elementary School, and they've done everything from providing scholarships for graduating seniors and GED students to delivering hand sewn ditty bags to the Veteran's hospital in Lake City. They also sponsor the Pioneer Day Art Show along with Lafayette State Bank each October. With organizations and clubs like theirs, small towns all over America can know the impact that local groups can have on their communities.