About Us…

On January 31, 1994, ten ladies gathered to organize the G.H.C. Ladies’ Auxiliary, an extension of the Gulfcoast Homing Club.  By the end of the first year, the membership had grown to twelve.  During the year, ladies opened the kitchen for four young bird auctions, had two yard sales, and planned ladies’ activities for the 1995 AU Convention.

In thirteen years the Auxiliary has grown to a membership of ninety-two women.  As of May 1, 2007, the Auxiliary became financially independent from the G.H.C. which means we are no longer an extension of the GHC but a separate organization associated with the G.H.C. Business meetings are held the second Thursday of the month, 10:00 a.m. (except July, August and December) at the G.H.C. Clubhouse.  Coffee and pastries are served before the meeting.

The Auxiliary is a very active organization whose members volunteer many hours of their time and talents to make the planned activities successful. In recent years, Auxiliary members have volunteered to assist in the following activities:

• Opening the kitchen and serving food on shipping nights during the race seasons
• Serving food for auctions and auction races
• Preparing, serving meals and donating desserts for the G.H.C. Classic
• Planning and hosting ladies’ events during Classic week.
• Planning and hosting ladies’ activities for the AU Conventions hosted by the Greater Tampa Bay Racing Pigeon Concourse and/or the Gulfcoast Homing Club and assisting wherever else is needed
• Donated needed items to the Dawn Center, a shelter for battered women and children
• Adopted a family of three for one year
• Gave donations to the St. Vincent De Paul food pantry and Pasco/Hernando Hospice
• Made contributions to the SPCA
• Aided victims of Hurricane Katrina with contributions to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army
• Made monetary and needed donations to the Gulf Coast Community Center
• Established Scholarship, Charity and Bereavement committees

In order to finance some of the activities, the Auxiliary has one or two primary fundraisers each year.  At the Classic, members sell pigeon memorabilia such as hats, tee-shirts, mugs, etc.  In the spring, members may gather for a huge yard sale that turns into quite a social event.  We recently added a raffle to raise funds specifically for scholarships. Money raised during the year helps to finance the G.H.C. Awards Banquet and Memorial Day Picnic organized by the women.

The Ladies’ Auxiliary is not about all work and no play.  Each month there is a Ladies-Day-Out planned to visit a local attraction, go to a matinee performance at the local dinner theater, go shopping, or see one of the latest movies and of course, all outings include having lunch together.  Ladies also get together to share craft ideas or play cards and other games.  Members have many talents and interests and there is always something to do with someone.

2007/2008 Officers

          President:  Toni Young               V.President:  Marilyn Frontiero

                          Treasurer:  Freda Gima             Secretary:   Connie Revoir