Greetings to All!

President Lisa Cali opened our meeting today

Invocation: Lydia's invocation touched on January being is a month of mixed emotions: starts with exuberance of a new year, but by mid-month resolutions may have already lapsed. She encouraged us to embrace Albert Camus words, "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer". We each carry the ability to fashion a year and a life full of energy, promise and fulfilment.

Guests Paula Kaiser and Mirelle Zamudio. Welcome and we hope to see you again!

Sunshine goes out to all of the Southern California wildfire survivors. We in Tahoe and our surrounding communities are no stranger to fire and understand this unimaginable time for you. Want to help? Information is below on a supply drive in Tahoe and Truckee.



We also send healing wishes to Lois who's managing back problems, and to Wendy's sister who continues to struggle with a broken sacrum and several broken disks.

Today's program .....How exhilarating and inspiring it was to hear an update on the new South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatic Center, scheduled to be finished and open by early 2026. John Stark, Director of Parks and Recreation, and Jerry Bindel, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, shared renderings of the building, and we were also treated to a "fly by" video which showed a timelapse of the project from the beginning stages when trees were removed through today's progress.

Features of the new facility will include a commercial kitchen, private meeting room, 2 full basketball courts, a lazy river, warm up pool, and 12' lap pool. There will also be a pool party room, arts and crafts room, dance/fitness studio, event space and outdoor deck, weight/cardio gym area, and an elevated walking track. Included is a climbing wall and several pickleball courts. Ongoing and new programs are being developed in response to a recent community survey

The mission of the South Tahoe Parks Foundation is to "protect, enhance and add value to the South Lake Tahoe Community Parks and Recreation facilities and programs by developing community sponsorships and partnerships." The goal is to have enough money in the Foundation to make everything the new Center will offer affordable to anyone.

There are several avenues for you to become a part of this exciting endeavor. You can purchase a 4x8 tile for $150 or an 8x8 tile for $300. If you want an even bigger impact there are Naming Opportunities costing between $25,000-$250,000. For more information and photos of the new Recreation and Aquatics Center please go HERE.

A big thank you to Paul and Cookie Rork, our newest 2025 Club Sponsor of SITS. Your continued support enables our club to do amazing things all year long!

Learn how you can be a Club Sponsor or Event Contributor to SITS for the entire year here!

Specifically SITS

Members, mark your calendars for our upcoming dates of our Fundraising events: Signups will be happening shortly. Kudos to Jean B and Laurie F for getting the signup.com prepared.

• Bread & Broth with Lasagna Love, Feb. 10.
• Online Auction, May 16 - 30, 2025.
• Vacation Raffle Ticket Sales, April 1-May 30.
• Mad Hatter Tea at Valhalla, May 18, 2025
• Celebrity Tournament, July 9-13, 2025

We are a hands on club, and we need all hands on these important projects to raise funds for our community.

The SITS Awards Committee met recently to select our Live You Dream recipients. Winners will be honored at a special breakfast Thursday, March 20.

Committee Happenings!

Reminder: When hosting an event/meeting, please forward a photo and paragraph to techhelp@sitahoesierra.org so we can add it to our website and social calendar.

COMMITTEE Signup Portal!

This is how we get things done.

Our SITS club and all that we do are driven by the committees that we maintain. All members are asked to join at least ONE Service Committee and ONE Technical Committee. Service is what we do and Technical is how we roll! Our Committee Signup portal is ready for members to sign up on! Simply click here! Newsletter Team sign ups are here and all are welcome to learn a new skill and join in!

SITS Spring Fundraisers: Our Online Auction opens Friday, May 16 and closes on Friday, May 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Club Sponsor & Event Contributor requests have gone out and we hope to hear from potential supporters soon!

Reminder to club members that your hard copy letters will be provided in January. Vanna recently sent out an updated version of our listing so please sign up.

SITS2025.org. Donations are accepted NOW! Sponsorships and Event Contributor positions are accepted NOW!

Members, to sign up where your talent lies, go here.

We also need ladies to sign up for donors yet to be claimed! Please go here.

Mad Hatter Tickets go on sale in January through the website AND we have a return of our Vacation Raffle opportunities thanks to the generosity of the Jean Bergner, Cookie Rork, and Jeanne Prestella! Here we go ladies! Members, to sign up where your talent lies, go here.

Vacation Raffle tickets will be sold starting April 1 and run through May 30. Tickets will be $50 each and only 200 per trip will be sold. You have a choice of a week in a 2 bedroom Maui condo, or a week anywhere in the world in an RCI timeshare. Members, to sign up where your talent lies, go here.

MEMBER Weekly Contribution or Quarterly Contribution can be paid online here! It's fast and easy! It can go through your Paypal or Credit Card. Get er dun!

NON-SITS

Fun and Opportunities in Tahoe

There's actually so much going on so you're going to want to check out the EVENTS tab on www.southtahoenow.com, but here's a few to get you started!

South Lake Tahoe and Truckee Holding Supply Drives for Southern California Fire Victims

For information on specific items needed (cash as well), drop off locations, days and times go HERE.

February is Human Trafficking and Awareness Month. See below for 2 educational events happening this month.

January 23, 2025 - 6:00pm - Live Violence Free announces return of 80s themed Bowl-a-Thon

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Live Violence Free has announced the return of its Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser, and the community is invited! The 80s-themed event will be held at Tahoe Bowl on Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Whether you are a seasoned bowler or just looking for an entertaining evening with friends and co-workers, this event is the perfect opportunity to strike up some fun while supporting Live Violence Free.

Challenge Day is a two day event and you can sign up for either day or both! Challenge Day for STMS students will be on Wednesday Feb. 5 and the School Assembly will be on Thursday, Feb. 6.

 Learn more about the life changing event for our youth at the Challenge Day Volunteer Sign up here. Challenge Day is supported by SITS financially and with our amazing volunteers. Calling all Service Clubs in our area. Join our efforts now!

Tahoe Arts Project brings magician Alex Ramon to the schools Feb. 3-7 and will offer a FREE public performance on Feb. 7 at Harvey's, 7:00 p.m. Use the QR code or the following link for free tickets:

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/alex-ramon-public-show

Only 200 tickets will be offered.

Feb. 7, 2025 - Night to Shine - Tim Tebow Foundation. This is a worldwide celebration event, celebrating people with special needs. Now in its 12th year, our community is invited to support and participate in this event. It will be at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. For more information visit

https://www.laketahoecf.com/nighttoshine

Volunteers are needed in the areas of security, EMT/Medical, Hair Stylist, Makeup, Florist/Flowers, Photographers, Videographer!

Looking for up to date resources in our community? Barton Health has a list for all of us and it is actively updated! SHARE this link with others!

Volunteer NOW for the 22nd Annual Drug Store Project on April 1, 2025 here! The event will be held at LTCC and will not only change the life of a child, but yours as well. Learn more about the project at www.drugstoreproject.org Drug Store is supported by SITS financially and with our amazing volunteers. Calling all Service Clubs in our area....Join our efforts now!

ALL YEAR LONG!

LTCC Basic Needs Center is looking for food donations. A variety of foods and basic need items are on the list. Click here for full list and drop off details

If you'd like to donate through our club, please bring your donations to the monthly business meeting and Lisa C. or Andie will make sure they are delivered to the college. Please include an estimate on the value as LTCC needs to keep records of that information.

Important information for your family from TASK (Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids)

TASK's mission is to prevent and reduce youth substance use and related harm - Keeping kids safe in collaboration with our community partners. TASK's mission is to prevent and reduce youth substance use and related harm - Keeping kids safe in collaboration with our community partners. For more information about TASK click here.

For TASK's October campaign to keep kids safe, click here!

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has a quarterly newsletter to keep us all updated on fire safety info. Their goal is to help people learn about the fuels reduction products they are working on, seasonal fire safety info and other fire dept related news. Click here to sign up for the newsletter

Saint Joseph Community Land Trust has changed their Motel to Home (MTH) program from a loan program to a grant program and we're hoping this will attract families living in substandard housing, who would like to live in a more permanent and adequate home. Please click here for more details

Tahoe Learning Haven - Click here for all their information and a link to each month's newsletter.

TAHOE LEARNING HAVEN: Are you aware of the FREE monthly educational forums that Kathy Haven has set up for students, parents, and all interested community members? These are great! Most TLH forums are the second Wednesday of the month from 6:45pm-9pm at the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe! See here or tahoelearninghaven@gmail.com. Mark your calendar now

·       1/8 – Scholarship application tutorial

·       2/12 – The college track: A-G requirements

·       3/12 – Playing at the next level: Athletics after high school

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless seeks community support in keeping people cared for.

Our South Shore community has been able to sleep better knowing that our homeless population has an indoor option. This winter season marked the seventh anniversary of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) providing warm beds to the most vulnerable in our community.

The office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12-4 at the Red Lodge, 1137 Emerald Bay Rd.

More details here

Between Horses and Humans continues to grow! If you're a lover of youth and a lover of horses, this is a program for you! You can keep up on their information by reading their newsletters here! Volunteers and donations are always needed. BHH Update-they are soon relocating to the Amacker Ranch!

Food Assistance Guide for So. Lake Tahoe. If you know of anyone in need, please share this information. Click and print!