SPOKES Women Build Connections

by Laura Breen Galante

Central Florida Spokes members sure know how to have fun, and the club’s spring fundraiser, Flamingo Bingo, was a perfect example of their joie de vivre.

The ladies donned their cutest pink clothes and accessories, enthusiastically shouted “Bingo!” when they won, and hammed it up for photos. They also laughed….a lot.

Central Florida Spokes is a social group with a charitable component that began in 1980 as a spinoff of the Welcome Wagon marketing company, says president Annie Sanders of Sanford. 

Never a Dull Moment

“Think of the club as the spokes of a wheel,” says Annie. “There are so many activities that you can participate in. You could be busy every day with something related to Spokes.”

The group has more than 140 members, including three mother-daughter duos, and meets monthly for luncheons at Heathrow Country Club. Annie, who joined the club about eight years ago, says every Spokes woman shares certain qualities.

“She is smiling, her hand is up to volunteer. She is a hard worker. She loves meeting people and loves all the activities.”

Spokes offers its members a book club, three bunco groups, monthly excursions, and four different card game meet-ups, plus mah-jongg and Mexican train groups. The group also features themed Casual Cooking events, with the women sharing the cost and prep responsibilities. Dining In dinners include the women’s partners. Most dining events are hosted in a member’s home, which encourages personal connections.

Although Spokes is primarily a social organization, the group raises money for several local charities through its  two annual fundraisers: Flamingo Bingo in the spring and Game Day in the fall. In 2025, Spokes donated $7,000 to local charities across Seminole and Orange counties. 

Organizations the group has supported include IDignity, which helps disadvantaged individuals in Central Florida obtain personal identification like Social Security cards; Journey’s End Animal Sanctuary for abused, neglected, or special needs animals; and Find Your Fabulosity, which donates new lipsticks to domestic violence victims. Others are One Purse, which provides jobs and scholarships for women who are victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking; and Seniors First, which provides vital services to enrich the lives of seniors.

A Heart for Service 

For years, Spokes members have also made hundreds of heart-shaped pillows annually for cardiac recovery patients. 

“We have a stuffing party, and everybody comes,” says Annie. “We have a room set up for just the stuffers, and then we have a room set up for the stitchers. We stuff the pillows, sew them closed, and then we deliver them to AdventHealth in downtown Orlando.”

The annual pillow party takes a full day, with at least 30 volunteers working on the project. And in true Spokes fashion, there is also plenty of food, chatting, and fun involved.

“Central Florida Spokes is an amazing organization,” says Brooke Robinson, volunteer program manager at AdventHealth Orlando. “The cardiac units are so thankful and blessed for their generosity and for the love that is sewn into each heart. The departments get so excited that our leadership meets these wonderful ladies to help deliver the enormously filled bags of pillows.”

Pam Skaggs of Longwood joined Spokes at the invitation of friends when she retired about six years ago and never looked back.

“The members were so warm and welcoming and had so much enthusiasm for the many games, groups, excursions, and friendships that I was drawn in,” says Pam. “As we get older, it is very important to keep mentally active. Many of these ladies have become lifetime friends. We are always laughing and supporting each other. This group provides a very nurturing environment.”

To learn more, visit CentralFloridaSpokes.com.