As a local church needed help to expand due to growing congregation, the determined duo stepped up to do what they do best. Joyce Gilette and Robin Smith are two familiar faces in the Village of Tamarind Grove. Through their organization, Dollars for Scholars, they have been raising funds for scholarships for students in need.
Due to an ongoing loan, church staff couldn’t apply for another one, and they badly needed funds for expansion. Gilette and Smith sprang into action, finding ways they could help raise funds for the church.
They collaborated with Suzie Casta, a Villages’ entertainer, and the Rev. Norman Lee Schaffer, pastor of The Garden Worship Center, a church in Belleview, to organize a driveway party in the Village of Tamarind Grove to collect donations for the church’s building fund.
“It was such a great evening,” said Joyce Gilette. “It was a driveway party, but it was also very successful. We brought in about $1,878.”
With accumulated funds, the church can finally pay off the previous loan and begin the expansion.
When asked, Gilette and Smith said they adore the church and the pastor.
“Norman is a wonderful pastor,” said Smith, of the Village of Tamarind Grove. “And even though we are a nonprofit dedicated to helping students, we are still members of the church. We didn’t do this as a club. We did this for a personal reason, but we have the knowledge so we put it to good use.”
Casta and Schaffer helped with their time and talents to help raise the money.
“I love being able to help out within the community,” said Casta. “I have a great relationship with Robin and Joyce and have done a lot with them for Dollars for Scholars as well. Anytime I can donate my talent to help raise money for a charity or someone in need, I do because I enjoy it, and it’s a way to give back.”
Casta said she was glad things are slowly getting back on track after the pandemic situation.
“I missed being able to work with people,” she added. “It was more than any of us expected to bring in. We know it’s going to great use, and it’s all because we have such generous people with big hearts in The Villages,” she added.
Gilette was very overwhelmed with the turnout and amount brought in.
“It was held by committee members of Dollars for Scholars, but it didn’t benefit the club,” she said. “It was just a chance to use our knowledge and help someone else in need. That’s what we like to do; network with other groups and see how we can lend a hand because without working together, we would never be able to do what we do and help as many people as we do.”
– Attributed Source, The Villages Daily Sun