By Shaun Ryan
Several local charities and the people they serve will benefit from the efforts of a hardworking group of area women and a prominent local business that supports them.
On Nov. 20, the Underwood Jewelers Ponte Vedra store hosted its annual trunk show to benefit charities and scholarships supported by The Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club. The event raised $21,200, the highest amount ever for this particular fundraiser.
Store Manager John Rutkowski presented a check to the club on Thursday, March 19.
The club received a portion of the sales from the trunk show and also benefitted from a raffle the store conducted. Underwood Jewelers raffled off two elegant pieces of designer jewelry: a Roberto Coin Venetian Princess Diamond Necklace and Platinum Born Saturn Collection earrings. According to the club, the total value of these pieces was more than $4,200.
The funds raised by this event bring the total amount generated by the club this fiscal year to $107,000, the most for any year going back to the local club’s founding in 1970.
At a time when charitable funds across the board appear to be shrinking, the Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club is actually seeing increases.
That’s no accident. Rutkowski praised the club members who worked hard to ensure the success of the trunk show and called it a privilege to work with such a group.
The store is known for its support of worthy local causes.
“It’s important to us to give back to the community,” said Rutkowski. “It really is.”
Because the club is all-volunteer, nearly all funds raised go directly to the charities and scholarships. Charities are selected every two years. The beneficiaries of this event are:
Betty Griffin Center: Offers shelter and services for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
BEAM: Helps low-income residents in Jacksonville’s beach communities.
Mission House: Helps to meet the needs of the homeless population at the Beaches.
Port in the Storm: The only homeless youth shelter in St. Johns County for ages 18-24.
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind: Educates students from all over Florida, tuition-free, who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deaf and blind. This is a long-term recipient of club support.
At more than 200 members, the Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club continues to grow. To learn more about the club, go to pontevedrawomansclub.com.
The local Underwood Jewelers store is located at 330 A1A N., Suite 204, Ponte Vedra Beach. Learn more at underwoodjewelers.com.