The Dragon Sisters go all out with their projects and this time their mission is tampons. One of the seven teams that make up the Villages Dragon Boat Club, the Dragon Sisters are the only all-female team. The team started about six years ago and in addition to the time they spend on the water, they are also heavily involved in charitable organizations.

Their charitable endeavors concentrate on charities for women and children; as such they were working with SoZo kids, an organization that helps support the children living in the Ocala National Forest. The Dragon Sisters were working on the SoZo Back to School Project supplying school supplies when they attended a meeting led by Pastor Dave, the leader of SoZo. He mentioned at the meeting the need for feminine products for young girls.

“He said that was the one thing nobody donates,” said Sandra Skopaz, captain of the Dragon Sisters. They decided to take this on as a project; team member Paula Boulette coordinated the project.

“Who knew at this age tampons would be making us famous?” said Skopaz.

The Dragon Sisters, a team of 36 women, range in age from 60-77. They compete throughout Florida. Through this project, the team has learned more about the conditions in which these young girls live, many without running water or electricity. “If we make any impact at all, that is better than any competition.”

To date they have delivered approximately 4,000 tampons and 3,500 sanitary napkins.

“That sounds like a lot until you figure there are approximately 1,000 young girls living in the Forest,” Skopaz said.

They will continue to collect making a final donation at the end of October. They have been greatly helped by individuals as well as other organizations like Rainbow Family and Friends and the Women’s Club of Ashland.

Donations can be made in product or monetary. “With 36 members located throughout the Villages, someone is always nearby to pick up the product. We make regular tampon runs,” Skopaz said.

The team will also purchase the product with any money donated.

If you would like to participate in this project, contact Sandra Skopaz at sskopaz@gmail.com