The December 9, 2021 RWCDF luncheon was an event to remember!  Our membership reached 407 members as of the night prior to our luncheon!  As you'll see from the pictures below, this meeting was pure joy, start to finish.  (Click on a picture to enlarge, then click on it again to enlarge to full screen.)  We had beautiful piano music by Andre Ferreira.  Santa and the Grinch came by to greet everyone too.  Many members brought unwrapped new toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots project.  Our corporate sponsor for this event was Black's Natural Farms, LLC.  One of the owners, Kim Black, who is also an exceptional member of our Club, spoke about their family ranch which raises beef for sale and the slide show included a picture of her bottle feeding a calf!  This meeting was a wrap-up for the year and several announcements of our upcoming plans for 2022 were made, including our new scholarship program announced by Ellen Sullivan.  This coming year we will be awarding $1000 scholarships to the top five female Republican high school senior applicants who go through the application and essay program process, to assist them in attending the college, trade school or vocational school of their choice.  We are very excited to be able to offer these awards this coming year to help develop the leadership of tomorrow!  Also we were able to give donations to six local charities - the 5 Star Veterans Center, Wreaths Across America, Jacksonville Fire Fighters Charities, The FOP Foundation for Law Enforcement Officers, Her Song, and the Tim Tebow Foundation - as well as thank-you gifts to the chef and attending staff at the San Jose Country Club, who provide a wonderful lunch and gracious service to our club members each month throughout the year.  Following this, volunteer appreciation awards were given to three members - Betty Bentley, Ramona Rood (accepted by April Carney in her absence) and Sandy McCorvey.  A special person award was given to Georgianne Pionessa for the amazing number of new members she has brought into the club this year.   Special recognition was given to our Club President Esther Byrd for her tireless leadership to make us the best club ever!!   A new award instituted this year by our president is the Lady Liberty Award.  This was open to nominations by the membership for an outstanding member who best exemplified the grace, qualities and devotion to our club this year.  The top 10 ladies went on to an elimination voting round, and from there the top three went to the final voting round.  The three finalists were Kim Black, Betty Bentley, and Georgianne Pionessa.   A beautiful medallion, flowers, certificate and sash banner were given to our winner this year, revealed at the luncheon by our president Esther Byrd.  Our 2021 Lady Liberty is Georgianne Pionessa, a gracious lady who has been a member for 25 years and who has worked endlessly for our club.  Congratulations to Georgianne for this outstanding achievement!!  The club plans for 2022 are amazing - and you all will want to be a part of it!!   To see all the photos from this luncheon, go to RWCDF Luncheon 12-9-21 | Flickr