Silver Anniversary Message from Historian Cynde Mutryn
A Lively Look Back at UPWC’s First 5 Years of Community Outreach

The club’s first external effort came during the 2001 holidays with donations for Bethlehem House in Newtown. Soon after, a “Walk in the Park” raised funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. By year’s end, 25 members formed an Outreach Committee under founding President Cheryl Teft, ready to expand their reach. A 2003 yard sale raised money for SPARCC, and Resurrection House—serving the homeless—became the club’s first official partner.

By 2003–2004, outreach surged. President Barbara Mulvihill and Outreach Coordinator Teft broadened efforts across Sarasota and Bradenton. The inaugural Holiday Tour of Homes generated $3,000 for Resurrection House. Additional donations supported Habitat for Humanity, SPARCC, and Bethesda House, while members volunteered monthly at Habitat builds.

In 2004–2005, Outreach Chair Joyce Giberti led donations of school-supply backpacks to Mothers Helping Mothers, $1,000 to SPARCC, and volunteer efforts at Kobernick House and Habitat’s first WomenBuild home.  A milestone fifth year (2005–2006) followed. Under President Giberti and Outreach Chair Laurie Carpenter, the first Diamond & Crystal Charity Ball debuted, contributing $5,000 to Habitat WomenBuild. UPWC Gardeners designed the home’s landscaping, and a live auction added $3,000 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Support also continued for Resurrection House, SPARCC, and Mothers Helping Mothers.  In year two (2002-2003) under the presidency of Linda Gidel, two additional SIGs, Canasta and Golf, were added to the original 11, and the club's membership climbed to 260.