Today's meeting was opened by President Shelly

Guests - No guests today, we're hoping for some next week.

Invocation -Lydia reminded us about the World War 1 Christmas truce that allowed a peaceful respite from the horrors of war. The most elusive part of this season is the Peace on Earth part of so many songs and well wishes. Let us focus on the lyrics to the song "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me" May we all experience some joy and peace this Holiday season.

Sunshine - Please hold Julie Nelson and her family in your hearts at the loss of her dear husband Dennis.

Our past member Joy Rogers could use some sunshine

JoAnn S. is back at the meeting this morning following her surgery, continued healing!

Lisa Swift, may your eye issues be solved quickly and painlessly.

Our Business meeting this morning was very productive. Our new corresponding secretary, Laurie Brazil read out a few thank you cards we received from non-profits we support. TAP, St. Joseph's Land Trust, Live Violence Free and Keep Tahoe Blue all let us know how much our support helps them keep our community healthy.

SITS has a new sponsor this year, Mike Tillson from Tillson Law! Thank you for supporting us and your community.

We like to reward Excellence in our community and in our members. We presented 3 Recognition of Soroptimist Excellence (ROSE) awards this morning. Lisa Huard, Laurie Flesher and Andrea Solis have all stepped up this year and made such a difference in the club. Thank you ladies!!

President Shelly came up with a great way for us all to interact and reinforce our Soroptimist Pledge today, we each got a piece of paper with a few words on it and had to put ourselves in the correct order to read the pledge. What fun you make our meetings Shelly!!

SITS Member Items & Our Projects

We want to recognize our members anniversaries: Thank you ladies for being part of our club!

Mandy Kendall 13 years

Lisa Cali 3 years

Lisa Swift 2 Years

Andrea Solis 1 year

From our Social Committee!

Christmas Cookie and Candy Exchange and Luncheon

Saturday, December 16th at 11:00 - 1.00

at Carol Gerard's home.

Please contact Carol to let her know you are coming..

SITS Holiday Party, Dec. 21 @7:30am

Mark your calendars for our annual Holiday celebration on Dec. 21 at our regular meeting time and place. There will be singing, present exchange (please bring a wrapped $10 gift to share), food and games. Please sign up for the Potluck at: https://signup.com/go/VoeNmRQ . This is also a great time to bring a guest! If you bring a guest remember to bring a gift for them to use in our fun Christmas Gift Exchange game!!

December Programs

12/21/23 – Holiday Party

12/28/23 – Holiday Recess (no meeting)

01/04/24– Holiday Recess (no meeting)

01/11/24 – January Business Meeting

From our TECH Committee!

Laurie gave a shout out of thanks to Andie Solis and Julie Cary for all the work they have done on updating the SITS website and making it more user friendly.  

If you need tech help, contact: techhelp@sitahoesierra.org

For anyone who wants extra, hands on, help, with all that's going on in town and the holidays, Laurie F will provide a personal, private tech lesson for you! Simply contact our Sitster and she'll get you in the know! Please check your "SITS Calendar" and make sure you can access it, if not, call or email Laurie.

From SITS COMMITTEE Signup!

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! Please signup for your committees here. And remember, you are not limited to participating in any of the fun. YOU can attend any committee meeting or event!

FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT COMMITTEE: This year, this committee, in addition to supporting the Challenge Day and Challenge Day Assembly also instituted an Essay contest. We received 50 Essays from the kids on what Challenge Day meant for them. What a wonderful way to help kids reflect on the change they can make in the world and in their fellow students lives.

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!

The Optimist Tree Lot is buzzing!

LAST SHIPMENT!! Get yours before they are all gone!!

Yes, it's that time of year again and YOU can get your Ben Kunibe tree to make your holiday home spectacular and support the kids in our community! This has been a community tradition for years!

Christmas is coming and the holiday wouldn't be complete without that perfect Christmas tree. The Optimist Club of of South Lake Tahoe is here to help and invites you to come visit our annual Christmas Tree lot. Come by and visit us to not only pick out your perfect tree but help us support local youth. We accept credit cards, checks and cash. Free popcorn and hot chocolate will be available.

This year the hours will be:

Weekdays. 12pm - 7pm

Weekends. 10am - 6pm

Due to supply issues, we will not be receiving our full allotment so shop early for the best selection.

Details from our Optimist friends here

Toys for Tots are making their final collections. Laurie F is collecting if you want to get any toys to her by Saturday 9th December. Otherwise other information can be found at the links below..

Full details here

Follow them on Facebook here

Wreaths Across America 2023 is honoring our active military personnel, veterans, and first responders on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Happy Homestead Cemetery on Johnson Blvd. Bring out the whole family to show your support and respect for those that have and do keep us all safe. Bundle up as it's going to be chilly! Ceremony begins at 9:00 AM. This event is brought to us by the Lake Tahoe Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and Happy Homestead Cemetery.

The Tahoe Douglas ELKS Lodge 267- is also honoring Veterans on December 16th at the Eastside Memorial Park.

Click here for full details of flyer below

Important information for your family from TASK

Tahoe Safe Alliance for Kids is providing information to educate the community on fake fentanyl and other counterfeit drugs. Click HERE to learn more.

The Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids (TASK) shares a new campaign each month through its "Did You Know" series. This month, TASK is sharing ways to tackle the winter and holiday blues in both Spanish and English. To read the whole story click on Winter Blues

How would you like to make 100x the difference with your donation!

Great way to spend your donation tax deduction dollars or make a huge difference donating on someone's behalf for Christmas!

Click here for full details and to donate

 SENIOR PROJECT JUDGING: We would like to invite you to judge the single class of Senior Projects for Fall 2023! We will have our usual June presentations later this school year but for now, we have a class of 35 excited seniors who need some judges to present to and we would love to have you. It is a very easy and positive program.

This term's presentations are on January 26, 2024. Arrival time to STHS is between 1:45pm and 2:00pm with a start time of 2:15pm.

We need around thirty judges this term so if you are interested or know anyone who would like to see our young adults and their final project, please email us at seniorproject@ltusd.org! 

South Lake Tahoe High School

Senior Project Coordinator

1735 Lake Tahoe Boulevard

South Lake Tahoe, California 96150

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

https://www.tahoelearninghaven.org/december

League to Save Lake Tahoe's Keep Tahoe Blue Volunteer Portal!

For all of those who want to help keep our Lake Tahoe prestene, here's a portal which you can now see the events and programs which are available to volunteer for! SHARE this with your family and friends! Portal here!

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.

They are also in great need for warm clothing items and will accept donations at their office

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

More details here

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

Blood Donations are Needed!

Our Nation continues to have a blood shortage everywhere. Giving blood is giving life. So GIVE!

Vitalant Blood Donations. Click here to find a blood draw near you!

Wed - Mon Carson City Vitalent Donation Center

256 Winnie Lane, Carson City, NV.

Click here to find more dates and locations

Upcoming Blood Drive Locations:

Wednesday, 01/17/2024

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT - Bloodmobile

500 East 3rd Street

CARSON CITY, NV, 89713

Open 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Get Directions

Friday, 01/19/2024

Tahoe Douglas Fire District - Kahle Center Tallac Activity Room

236 Kingsbury Grade Road

STATELINE, NV, 89449

Open 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Get Directions

Saturday, 01/20/2024

CA Whole Foods South Lake Tahoe - Bloodmobile

3600 Lake Tahoe Blvd

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, 96150

Open 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Get Directions

Monday, 01/22/2024

South Lake Tahoe Fire Department - SLTF Training Center

1195 Rufus Allen Blvd

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, 96150

Open 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

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!