Sanford 327 ladies share meals, love, fun

By Susan Wenner

Herald Staff Writer

 

Over 622 women in Sanford have joined the Facebook page known as the Ladies 327 Supper Club and they aren’t just eating meals and swapping stories but working together to make their community a better place while interacting in a personal level with businesses and members.

A small group from the Sanford 327 Facebook page were seeking an organization to connect with. They were inquiring about a book club, cooking club, dinner club and more.

Created in September of 2015, Debbie Burford and Noelle Lamonth hosted their first group dinner at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe in the downtown Sanford area. Much to their surprise some 40 women attended, sharing some fellowship, a meal, new friendships and a commitment that this outing would become a monthly event.

Administrator Kim Colegrove shared, “Right now we are in the process of getting the Supper Club organized to move forward with adopting 3 charities starting the beginning of the year. We will be having the different representatives from local charities and foundations come in to speak so the ladies are aware of the different needs that are in the community. Some of our ladies worked with a rescue house for women who have either been rescued or escaped from the sex trafficking trade. The Supper Club also did a food drive for the Seminole County Schools to help replenish their food pantries and school supply drives.”

Although the group began gathering on a weekly basis they now have scheduled events weekly for more than just a meal. The first Thursday of the month is slated for dinner at various restaurants in Sanford. The second Tuesday, ladies gather for Happy Hour. The third Thursday a lunch meeting is planned and the fourth week a non-food event such as wine glass painting, bowling, pottery painting or jewelry making keeps the women learning new things. Members are also invited to a Meet & Greet by their hostess, Amy Elisabeth, to encourage first-time participants and new members to have a time to socialize and mingle.

Colegrove added, "The most rewarding part of the Ladies 327 Supper Club is watching all of these ladies who come from different cultures, races, backgrounds and religions come together. We have had a couple ladies tell the admin team that they look forward to the events each month, that they now feel that they have somewhere they belong, they no longer feel alone, that they now have a group of people that they know they can count on or call on and they will be there for them. Many of our members have been in Sanford or the surrounding communities for years and had no friends, now they feel as though they are part of a special community. Bringing these ladies together and getting to know them and watching them build relationships with each other is what makes it all worthwhile. I think that the Admin team as a whole has learned that we are part of something greater than ourselves, that we have been able to bring these ladies together who may have never met if not for the Supper Club."

The group puts a strong focus on support and promotion of  local, small independent owned businesses, restaurants and supporting local charities in the 327 zip code. "The Supper Club has now reached the point where businesses are asking us to partner up with them to hold our events," said Colegrove. "This group would not exist without the wonderful Admin team of Debbie Burford, Lisa Wilson, Jann Mills, Noelle Lamonthe and Patty Williams. These ladies put a lot of time and effort into making sure that our monthly events are set up and go off without a hitch.  Also, having the support of our spouses, family members and friends have been a big plus for the admin team as the events do require that we take time away from them. Every time I attend one of our events and I am with these ladies I feel like I belong, I feel like I am with family. It’s knowing that I never have to feel alone again, that there are other ladies out there that have been through some of the same things that I have. We laugh together, we cry together, we support each other, and we encourage each other. I cannot imagine my life without these ladies. The Ladies 327 Supper Club has given me purpose again."

Ladies over 18 years old and living in the 327 zip code are invited to become a part of the Ladies 327 Supper Club. For more information go to their Ladies 327 Supper Club page on Facebook.