Temple Terrace group focuses on fun, friendship and philanthropy

They have a passion for partying, but it's almost always with a purpose.

They are the members of the Temple Terrace-based It's a Thong Thing chapter of the Blue Thong Society.

In concert with the national organization's philosophy, the women in the Temple Terrace club — whose ages generally are in the early to mid-50s — are known for having fun, fighting frumpiness and being philanthropic.

While companionship and charitable work are their top priorities, they're also bent on being stylish, sassy and even a bit edgy as they hold on to their youthful spirits.

And while most still work full time and some still have children at home, they're not at all opposed to going out on the town for the evening or coming together around a member's kitchen or dining room table to enjoy a glass of wine or a blue martini or two.

With that said, it's not surprising how they came up with the organization's name and logo.

The color blue was chosen because it reflects harmony, friendship and loyalty and the logo is a whimsical representation of a both a skimpy-styled panty and a popular type of sandal.

The Blue Thong Society mission is unlike that of the Red Hat Society, another popular nationwide organization that caters primarily to retired women 50 and older and was founded for the sole purpose of creating new friendships and having fun.

"We not only focus on camaraderie but we also are a philanthropic organization," said Mary Ellen Wiegand, co-founder of the Blue Thong Society and a resident of Lutz.

"But in no way does our organization mean to criticize the Red Hat Society," she said.

Wiegand, who moved here five years ago from San Diego, where she and Mary Jo Wallo formed the first chapter in 2006, said the organization has mushroomed to now include about 300 chapters and 6,000 members.

"It's grown basically by word of mouth and with the help of Mary Jo, who traveled throughout the country to get the word out," said Wiegand, who attended a recent monthly meeting of the Temple Terrace chapter at the home of Lorrie Nertney.

Member Sandi Lake, a longtime Temple Terrace resident who now lives in south Tampa, said the Temple Terrace group, in existence since 2007, was one of the first chapters to form among the five in the Tampa Bay area.

"We like to say most of us have known each other since kindergarten and that's because most of us met one another when our kids were in kindergarten," said Lake, who noted that while there are now about 30 members, a core group of 12 to 15 holds the organization together.

"We all know it's a group we can call upon whenever we need one another," she said.

In addition to sharing lots of laughs and occasionally shedding a few tears together, they've donated toiletries and Christmas gifts to residents of the Palm Terrace assisted living facility in Temple Terrace; provided food and clothing for residents at The Spring; and given between $600 and $700 worth of small appliances, gift cards and food items to the Fisher House on the campus of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa.

The chapter also has hosted pajama parties in which they've presented pajamas to foster children; contributed leashes and collars for animals at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay; and helped out with back-to-school book drives for Temple Terrace elementary schools.

Wiegand said the national organization recently formed a partnership with the American Red Cross, and she encourages members in each chapter to enroll as a team in one of its disaster-training programs.

"In that way they'll be prepared in case they are called upon for assistance during a disaster situation," she said.

Tish Tilley, a member of the Temple Terrace group since its inception, is delighted to be associated with her hometown's organization.

"I think everyone needs girlfriends that you can always pick up the phone and call," she said. "And it's nice, too, that we help other people in need."

There is a new member fee of $49.99 and the annual dues are $19.99.

For more information, visit www.bluethongsociety.com. Or call (813) 784-2266 or (813) 220-9522 for details about the Temple Terrace chapter.

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

(813) 731-8026