Ladies of the Lake donates to two local organizations

Twelve members of the Canyon Lake Ladies of the Lake gathered on Dec. 21 to enjoy a dinner and gift exchange at the Elks Lodge in Wildomar. Later that day, several members visited the Carnes family “Christmas House” in Menifee where they donated food for the Menifee Community Cupboard, a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and malnutrition in the Menifee Valley.

In addition to the food donation, the ladies gave a donation to 4 Paws 4 Patriots, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to provide service dogs and training to disabled veterans at no cost to the veteran.

The Ladies of the Lake group was formed by Dianne Skidmore in 1994. The group, mostly made up of senior citizens, was originally formed as a friendship group to help each other when assistance was needed, whether it was to run errands or prepare meals. Since then, the group has expanded its activities to volunteer work that includes sending care packages to U.S. troops, making donations to Canyon Lake families in need, donating to H.O.P.E. and making lap robes, adult bibs and caps for seniors in convalescent homes, to name a few.

Seven of the 20 members have been with the group since the beginning. Sharon Ormond has been running the group for the past eight years with the help of Betty Cannabina. The Ladies of the Lake meet on a monthly basis at the home of members or at a local restaurant.