December General Meeting, New Members, Secret Santa Fundraiser, CBHS Orchestra & Holiday Luncheon

What a wonderful way to end the year. 56 club members met for our general December meeting.

Many generously arrived with gifts for toys for tots and the blind auction fundraiser.

We welcomed five new women into the club, making it a huge hugely successful new membership year. Wendy Gordon (Membership) has been instrumental in the smooth transition of these new members.

We welcomed ..

Jami Andre – sponsor Clare Jones

Jami and her husband Chris, both retired IT professionals, relocated to Cocoa Beach earlier this year from Central Illinois. Proud parents of three accomplished daughters living in Chicago and Denver, they frequently travel to visit family and friends. In Illinois, Jami dedicated her time to volunteering across various programs and developed a love for arts and crafts. A passionate sports fan, she’s now excited to explore new volunteer opportunities and make a positive impact in her new community.

Dolores M. Hofman – sponsor Larna Brown

Dolores and her husband, Ed, after living in New York their whole lives, bought a vacation condo in Cocoa Beach a little over 20 years ago. She retired 3 years ago and became a “Snowbird” (within the next few years expecting to live here full-time).

Dolores retired from a storied 53-year Aviation career at JFK Airport in NY, having broken a glass ceiling, being the first woman at JFK to hold a forklift operators’ license to work on Pan Am’s receiving dock. Her name appears in the Pan Am Museum Foundation’s Hall of Fame for this accomplishment. After that Dolores went into management as a recruiter for Pan Am and onto Director of Personnel for Evergreen Airlines. Her last 30 years were spent as the “Airport Matchmaker” (Program Manager) for the Queen’s Air Services Development Office, matching airport tenants with local businesses.

She was crowned Ms. NY Sr. America in 2016 and is currently their Cameo Club President. She is also President of Animal Lifeline and sits on the Board for Our Lady of the Skies. She was an Advisor to the Board for the JFK Chamber of Commerce and VP of the JFK Rotary. Past Boards include the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Aviation H. S. and the Air Cargo Association. She has received many awards, proclamations and commendations for her extensive community work in NY.

Gina Keymont – sponsor Clare Jones

Gina, a native of Florida, enjoys the best of both worlds, splitting her time between Orlando and Cocoa Beach. From April through December, she calls Cocoa Beach her primary home.

Recently retired as a major injury claims adjuster with Allstate Insurance, Gina now dedicates much of her time to volunteering. She is actively involved with the Brevard Zoo, the new aquarium and is a member of the Turtle Preservation Society. Gina loves a variety of water sports, including paddleboarding and kayaking.

Gina is happily married and a proud mom of two boys.

Cheri Ross – sponsor Teri Beeler

Cheri moved to Cocoa Beach in 2001 after marrying her husband, Dave Ross. Alongside managing responsibilities at his dental office, she actively contributed to the Space Coast Art Show board and participated in various community groups. Now retired, Cheri delights in traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.

Gail Newell – sponsor Missy Barley

Gail Newell, a native of New York City, has been happily married for 26 years. She and her husband have a 23-year-old daughter who is currently pursuing her law degree at Emory Law. Gail splits her time between New York and Cocoa Beach, spending six months in each.

With a career in interior design, she is now semi-retired. Gail has always enjoyed giving back to her community and is eager to contribute her time and energy to supporting the women of the CBWC through volunteer work.

The winners of the Gift Cards Galore were drawn. This year’s winners, Pat Romonsky and Gina Keymont. Thanks to Sue Ann Petrie and Marilyn Bollo for running this fundraiser.

Christmas elves, Susan Burrows, Julia George, Marilyn Grigsby , Marci Zadina and Marge Jones ran a highly successful blind auction of fun gifts that our members had brought in for each other raising over $1000 for the club.

We were again blessed with a performance from Cocoa Beach High School Orchestra who came and played Christmas tunes for us before lunch. You can see some video on our Facebook account.