This week is our last club meeting for 2020. I’m sure most of you are probably ready to leave the year 2020 behind. Hopefully, Santa leaves everyone plenty of toilet paper, disinfectant wipes, and face masks under their Christmas tree. If you were really good this year, you might have a stocking full of hand sanitizers too.

Happiness is doubled by wonder, so if your feeling like me, your wondering how so many things happened in 2020 that no one could have ever predicted. I am grateful that we all had each other to lean on throughout the year. Even if we were all on lockdown and not able to go anywhere or see anyone in person, we were still there for each other. Our club members are resilient and continue to support each other and give back to our community.

Thank you to Chef, Ann Leon, and all our club members that spent hours putting together and handing out the Bistro Bags for our club fundraiser. It was quite a learning experience for all of us on Friday, who were at Almendra for 5 hours, putting the food together in all the little containers. We were able to get a glimpse into what goes on behind closed doors in the kitchen. I can honestly say, Chefs and their kitchen staff do not get paid nearly enough for the amount of work and stress they have to deal with. Please remember to tip well when eating out or picking up food curbside. There is a crew working hard behind the scene making sure you don’t have to.

I look forward to seeing all of you at our Wednesday club zoom meeting. It’s the last club meeting for the year, so let’s have as many members attend as we can to help close out the year. I hope all of you can spend some time enjoying friends and family, even if it is only on Zoom.

With Gratitude,

President Billie

Last year we approved Catalyst as one of our hands-on clients. They are all set for Christmas, but there is a short list of more basic needs. Their first request is for blankets (new or gently used), adult size socks, razors and deodorant (full size) or cash. Full-sized toiletries are preferred.

If it is easier for you to make a cash donation, it also fills an important need. Catalyst has a House Meeting each week that everyone attends. Being able to provide dinner (think Costco Lasagnas) would really be a big help. Cash donations might also be used when some items on the wish list are more costly than others --in this case 2 or 3 contributions can be used to purchase a blanket.

Logistics. Please let me know if you need me to pick up your donations or you are most welcome to drop them off at 260 Pinyon Hills Dr, 95928. [open the gate on the left to deposit donations if no one is home]. For cash, please make checks out to SI Chico with Catalyst on the memo line and I will deliver to Treasurer Gayle to issue a check to Catalyst. Real money is certainly OK, I can send you a receipt. Again, the target for first donation is the end of December. Any donations after that will be set aside for the next delivery.

Contact me by phone at 530-894-3058, text to 530-592-8642 or email to cdusenbury@csuchico.edu.

Questions? Please do not hesitate to ask.

The Catalyst mission to assist women and children (and the occasional man) who are victims of domestic abuse aligns perfectly with Soroptimist goals. One member called it a “no-brainer.”

Look forward to hearing from you and thanks in advance!

Carolyn Dusenbury

Catalyst Coordinator

2020 is a year we'll remember, but it's also a year we'd all like to forget. This is our last E-blast for 2020 so I leave you with tips for a safe holiday from Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.....