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Today's meeting was opened by President Shelly with the Pledge of Allegiance. In lieu of an invocation, we each greeted our neighbors.
Today's guests included Gina Castro who is a long time local and community volunteer. Although she is studying at UNR for her Masters in Public Health, she found time to visit us today. We hope you become a regular, Gina.
Sunshine goes out to Joanne Shope for quick healing, the family of Marilyn Mulholland who passed away, and Joy Rogers who is scheduled for surgery in January. Sending love to our SITSter, Shirley Barr.
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Our Speaker today was Mellissa Uppendahl from the Marcella Foundation and Lift Literature. Melissa has over 13 years of experience in nonprofit and government stewardship. Most recently, she founded Lift Literature with a mission to transform the way that kids engage in reading. She also managed a grant portfolio of over $25M at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency where she supported environmental restoration projects all over Lake Tahoe. Melissa was honored with the Tahoe Chamber 40 under 40 award for her work in financial management for Lake Tahoe as well as her service to youth in the community. She now sits on the board of Lift Literature and the Tahoe Learning Haven.
Melissa began the non profit, Lift Literature as a result of a near death experience after she birthed her third child. She took a hard look at her life, and although she had accomplished a great deal, she didn't feel she had discovered her life's purpose. The Covid-19 pandemic and her love of reading conspired to give her a new purpose. After learning about the state of Tahoe's school libraries, she began for formulate a plan. See more of the history and projects of Lift Literature here.
Melissa began her talk with an overview of the state of our school libraries and the state of literacy in our South Lake Tahoe schools. Here are some startling facts: 55% of third graders cannot read proficiently. The average publication date of books in our schools libraries is 27 years ago. 51% of Lake Tahoe students only have access to books at school. It is a well researched fact that good school libraries are tied to academic success.
Melissa found in her own experience of reading to her kids and talking to school librarians, that science books were woefully out of date; biographies were about people her kids had never heard of; newer, popular books, like Harry Potter were loved to death and ragged. The state of California no longer has a specific budget for libraries. Each distract decides it's priorities, and libraries are at the end of the line.In response, school libraries have resorted to donations from PTAs and other sources. Library books need to be hard bound, and this makes them expensive.
Melissa got together with all the school librarians for their "wish list" and then got busy fundraising. The organization is entirely volunteer run and every donation goes into buying books. She has partnered with the Marcella Foundation for grants and Cuppa TahoeTahoe for buying books at cost. So far the organization has raised $20,000 but three times that much is needed to refresh and update our school libraries.
A corollary project that was funded by the Marcella foundation has been to give Kindle tablets to all the second graders at Sierra House School. The goal of this pilot project is to explore the possibility of increasing access to books, and make reading fun!
Next on Melissa's mind is a partnership with Bread and Broth 4 Kids where once each month families would get a book along with their food bag. She encouraged Soroptimists to be a part of this idea. We ended the meeting by presenting Melissa a check for $500 to advance the wonderful work she is doing to increase literacy and reading in our community. For more information or to donate, please see Lift Literature here.
|  | Cookie Rork chair of the Education Committee presents Melissa Uppendahl of Lift Literature a check for $500 for library books. | SITS Member Items & Our Projects | |
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 $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!
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From our Social Committee!
- Christmas Cookie Exchange Saturday, December 16th at 11:00 at Carol Gerard's home. More details later!
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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.
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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!
| 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!
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
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Tour fabulous El Dorado homes for
Assistance League Sierra Foothills Dec 2 and 3
Click here for more details
Click here for tickets
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Save the date for the Lake Tahoe Education Fundraiser on December 11, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Ernie's Coffee Shop.
Tickets can be purchased at all school sites and the District Office.
You can also purchase tickets by using Venmo@LTEdF text 530-494-9896, or from a LTEdF board member.
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SAVE THE DATE
3RD ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WINTER LIGHTS
DECEMBER 8 & 9 | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
In partnership with the Lake Tahoe Historical Society, The City of South Lake Tahoe is excited to invite the community to attend the annual Festival of Winter Lights
This FREE outdoor holiday market-style event will be hosted in the Lake Tahoe Historical Museum parking lot located at 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
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Local Nonprofit Encompass Youth
is grateful for being selected as the beneficiary of the upcoming “Rock Ensemble” class performance scheduled for Wednesday, December 13 at the LTCC Duke Theater (see flyer for more details). Come enjoy a fun community event for the whole family.
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From the Tahoe Learning Haven!
The TLH's next learning forum asks the question, "What Kind of Learner are you?" This is a free event and will be on Wednesday, December 13 at the Boys & Girls Club from 7 - 9 PM. Details here!
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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
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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:
Friday, 12/01/2023
South Lake Tahoe Community - Gymnasium
1180 Rufus Allen Blvd
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, 96150
Open 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday, 12/11/2023
CA Whole Foods South Lake Tahoe - Bloodmobile
3600 Lake Tahoe Blvd
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA, 96150
Open 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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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!
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Food Assistance Guide for So. Lake Tahoe. If you know of anyone in need, please share this information. Click and print! |
Medical Equipment needed - Rotary's David Kurtzman is heading a new program for our community. Free, used, in home medical equipment, like shower chairs, wheelchairs, walkers etc.
He can be contacted directly, 530-545-3283 to request items or donate.
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Join us at the SLT Senior Center, Thursdays,
7:30 - 8:30 AM for information, fun and a cup of coffee!
Want to know about our Speakers ?
Click through here to our website to see our full calendar!
Click here to get a copy of our weekly newsletter sent straight to your email!
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Thank you to our 2023
Club Sponsors
Click here to become a Sponsor for 2024.
This is a full year of fun!
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We are currently seeking SITS Club Sponsors for 2024!
Your name/url will be hosted on our Website (www.sitahoesierra.org) and this newsletter and all events we provide in our community January - December 2024!
| Online publication from Soroptimist International of the Americas |
Are you taking care of your personal
business?
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We're all guilty of putting off some of the most important things that take care of our family and ourselves.
Where are you at on emergency preparedness and providing that your estate is taken care of should something happen to you?
The only way to complete these tasks is to begin. Start with these links.
EVACUATION MAPS and More Specific to South Lake Tahoe!
Emergency Notifications
Emergency Planning
City of SLT Information
Grab and Go Emergency Bag List
Will or Trust?
More information helpful to you and your family!
AirMedCare Network
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