On Oct. 5, L.O.V.E. for Nona (Ladies Organized for Voluntary Efforts) voted to select which local non-profit organization would be the recipient of their annual $5,300 donation. L.O.V.E. for Nona is a women’s group organized and founded by Lindsay LaRouche, who also is the owner of the Tap Room in Lake Nona.
“I had been talking about starting L.O.V.E. for over a year, but it didn’t really get off the ground until around June of this year. Our first meeting was held at my home, and it grew from there. After having kids, my family and my business all seemed to take up a lot of my time. I had to leave Rotary Club, which I had enjoyed for a couple years, because I just really didn’t participate in the weekly meetings and numerous activities throughout the year since my husband travels all the time as a pilot for JetBlue. I still wanted to be a part of something that would allow me to give back without the responsibility to always give a lot of my time, and I knew other women were in the same position.”
L.O.V.E. was designed for women who are moms, wives, employees and employers who might have time for things and sometimes don’t. The group asks that the members meet once a month and participate in what they can. L.O.V.E. is known for its flexibility and gives women the opportunity to hang out, network and socialize with other women in similar positions, all while doing great things for our community. The group currently has 54 active members. The donation came from the group’s annual dues. This year, the Lake Nona High School Band received the gracious contribution.
“We were very excited to find out that we would be receiving this donation as it will help the band tremendously,” said Monica Leimer, the LNHS Band Director. “We currently have a long list of instruments that are needed for the band, and this money will help us toward purchasing what we need. Our band is growing every year, and we are trying to keep up with that growth as well as provide high quality instruments for our advanced students. We currently have students sharing instruments, and our goal is for every student to have their own instrument without having to share. Not every student can afford to purchase their own instrument, and we provide instruments for those students to use. Thank you to everyone in the community that supports the Lake Nona HS Sound of the Lions.”
“I can’t really speak for everyone when I say why we chose the band because the policy is that we vote as a group. It’s an anonymous vote, so it is not discussed. My guess is that knowing the money will go to allowing children who can’t afford to be in the band [who will] now be able to join was inspiring,” said LaRouche.
For updates and more information, you can visit http://nonahood.to/lovefornona.
