Photographs by Shots by Jaz
BY SAUDI ELLIS, GUEST WRITER TO THE TIMES
ORLANDO – The Orlando (FL) Chapter of Chums, Incorporated celebrated its 20th annual spring Lunching with The Arts on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at First Baptist Orlando’s Faith Hall. Lunching with The Arts is the annual spring fundraiser of the Orlando Chums which showcases local literary, performing, musical, and visual arts talent, as well as community exposure of Chums projects and scholarship recipients. Orlando Communications Legend Ms. Carolyn Fennell was the Emcee and the program opened with a return performance by Standing Ovation Talent Group. Music throughout the afternoon was provided by Jordan Bolds Entertainment, a talented saxophonist and senior at UCF. The keynote address was given by Dr. Candice Jones, a Pediatrician, Medical Media Advocate, and Author of High Five Discipline: Positive Parenting for Happy, Healthy, Well-Behaved Kids. Jane Turner of Omolara Art, a local Eatonville artist, presented visual artwork of paintings, sculpture, and photography. Exclusive vendor Foxy Mama Boutique featured beautiful jewelry, accessory items, and hats, and there were wonderful door prizes donated by vendors and gift baskets offered by Chum members. All proceeds of the annual spring event fund Orlando Chums program activities.
The highlight of Lunching with the Arts is the awarding of scholarships to three outstanding graduating high school seniors. This year the recipients are Genevieve Ipasu of University High School, Micah Nunn of Lake Nona High School, and Miracle Viehweger of Winter Springs High School. All were present to accept their awards of $1000 each. The Orlando (FL) Chapter of Chums have awarded almost $40,000 in scholarships in the past seventeen years to worthy African American female high school students.
Chums, Incorporated is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides opportunities for women to meet in friendship and fun, to encourage a spirit of helpfulness, and to use their many talents in service to the community. The organization promotes civic, cultural, educational, and social improvement. An ancillary focus of the organization is to enrich the lives of children by helping them to develop to their fullest intellectual, moral, emotional, physical, and social potential. The national theme is “listen to the children” …enrich their lives. The Chums, founded in 1946, and incorporated in 1952 have 38 chapters nationwide. The Orlando Chapter of Chums have serviced the Central Florida Community since 1998. For more information about the Orlando (FL) Chapter of Chums, please email us at [email protected].
