April 2012

Club Fun in the Sunshine State

The weather’s warm, so why not get out there and fill your free time by meeting new people who share your interests. Florida has a wide variety of clubs and groups for you to explore.
 
If you’re ready to lend a helping hand, Volunteer Florida is the answer. The group works under the direction of governor-appointed commissioners to help develop, promote and execute volunteer services throughout the state. Affiliated volunteer centers include Hands on Orlando and United Way of Palm Beach County. Volunteer Floridawas recently recognized at the Leadership Florida Annual Meeting with a Statewide Community Award for its work and response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. If you’re ready to join Floridians of all ages and volunteer your time to help local communities, check out www.volunteerflorida.org and find a center that suits you.
 
The Orlando Sport and Social Club is a great way for adults to get involved in organized sports leagues. Have fun and stay fit with soccer, kickball, flag football, softball and sand volleyball. With more than 15,000 participants annually, the group’s focus on providing places to play and meet new friends has been a huge success. The group also participates in special events including bar crawls, charity fundraisers and happy hours throughout the year. If you’re ready for something new, go to www.orlandosportandsocialclub.com and create a profile today.
 
The Davis Islands Garden Club welcomes people of all ages and is highly involved with the community. Members contribute floral arrangements, food and gifts to the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa and continually improve the outdoor plant environment at Hudson Manor, among other varied activities. Luncheon meetings are held each month at the club’s beautiful Garden Center and feature educational programs. Learn new techniques and share tips with other members. Visit www.digclub.org for more information.
 
If you love biking, the Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club (SMBC) is one to check out. All ages are welcome to participate in the many scheduled rides each month. The group is involved with events all year long including the Tour de Cure, which offers you a choice of four rides of different lengths to support finding a cure for diabetes. Members benefit from guided group rides, bi-monthly newsletters, discounts from local shops and many other sponsored events. Learn more about SMBC at www.smbc.us.
 
Whether your goal is to add more fun to your life by meeting new people or discovering more hobbies, Florida has just as many groups and organizations as it has sunny days.