April 2025 Volume 9, Issue 4 | | |
Hello WCI Sisters!
We did it! Another fantastic fundraiser is complete, and we have successfully raised over $50,000. I’m thrilled to think about the scholarships we will be able to award this year, as well as the grants we can provide to the organizations we support.
I cannot thank everyone enough for their help in planning, organizing, and throwing this party. It truly takes a village, and we had one! I also want to extend my gratitude to every member who donated items for our silent auction, raffles, wine surprise, and paddle bids, as well as to those who brought their families and friends. When we work together, we can achieve remarkable things. Our board will be meeting to discuss, among other topics, how we plan to distribute the funds raised. This proposal will be presented to the membership for a vote at our April meeting.
We enjoyed a great presentation from Chief Brian Tully and the K9 handlers of the Indio Police Department, reminding us why our support is essential. This month, we’ll have a business meeting followed by a fun evening of Bingo. If you haven’t registered yet, please click here. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 27th.
On St. Patrick’s Day, nine of us attended the De Anza District Conference in Temecula, hosted by the Temecula Valley Woman’s Club, with over 75 district members present. Next, we have the De Anza District Convention on Sunday, April 6th. It’s important for our club to have all eight delegates to vote on key issues, like bylaw changes. We will carpool to the event, so no need to worry about transportation!
I look forward to seeing everyone on April 2nd. Until then, and as we close out Women's History Month, remember:
Women change the conversation.
Women change the game.
Women change the world.
—Meghan Craig
With Joy,
Sylvia Baran
president@womansclubofindio.org
| | Birthdays & Anniversaries | |
Epsilon Sigma
Omicron (ESO)
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Coming Events
APRIL
2nd General Meeting/Bingo, 5 - 6:30 pm
Collection Items:
1) Easter Basket Filler Items
2) Socks & Underwear for Galilee Center
6th De Anza District Convention in Hemet
12th Easter Basket Assembly, 10 - 11:30 am
15th ESO Meeting: Whispers of Betrayal
22nd CVRM Meal Prep, 9:45 - 11:45 am
23rd CFWC/De Anza ESO by Zoom
24th Board Meeting
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Save the Date
MAY
3rd Rotary Math Field Day, 8:00 a.m.–noon
John Glenn Middle School
7th General Meeting, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Collection: School Supplies
31st Annual Scholarship & Donation Day
Awards Ceremony
31st CVRM Meal Prep, 9:45 - 11:45 am
| | For officer and chair contact information, click here. | | |
Lunch and Dinner Reservations
- Reservations are due by noon on the Thursday before the meeting.
- Cancellations are due on that day, too.
- Please register online when possible. If you can't RSVP online, please contact the Treasurer (Claire Whiney) or me by noon on the Thursday before the meeting.
We appreciate your cooperation and can’t wait to see you at our next meeting.
Arlene Handler-Smith
amenities@womansclubofindio.org
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Interested in Volunteering?
You've come to the right place!
WCI is dedicated to serving our community, and we would like to say that our business is volunteering. We have a list of nonprofit organizations we support with contact information for learning more about them. Click on the "Who We Support" link below to learn more. Volunteers are always needed and genuinely forever appreciated.
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Volunteer Spirit
Three cheers for the WCI members who attended the De Anza District Conference in Temecula on March 17, 2025:
- Mickie Reed, De Anza President
- Sylvia Baran, De Anza Communication & Public Relations Chair
- Claire Whitney, De Anza Registrations and Credentials Chair
- Barbara Fairbairn, De Anza Domestic Violence Chair
- Peg Boortz, De Anza Woman’s History Chair
- De Anza faithful: Marlon Carrier, Janice Bowman, Lana Bathen, and Pat Ruth
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Indio Rotary Math Field Day
Once again WCI is sponsoring and participating in Rotary Math Field Day to be held on Saturday, May 3, 7:30 a.m. - noon at John Glenn Middle School in Indio. Middle school teams from across the Coachella Valley prepare months in advance to participate. Students creatively use their wit and skill to compete against other schools in math games. Last year several of our members volunteered to assist with this event and WCI is a sponsoring partner.
ROLES include:
- Proctors who are assigned to work with a teacher and report at 7:30 a.m.
- Graders who grade tests from a key provided and report at 9:15 a.m.
All participants are invited to meet in the School Library for lunch after completing their assignment. See our web calendar (May 3) for more information. You may sign up at our April 2 meeting or via email before April 18 to Marlon Carrier, mjcarrier22@gmail.com. Your information will be passed on to Sue Steding from Rotary to provide you with specific details.
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Do you Hablo Español? Then Girls Love Mail is looking for you!
Submitted by Bonnie Tucker, Philanthropy Committee Chair
Are you fluent in writing Spanish and English? Do you enjoy helping others in your community? Girls Love Mail is working on a new project that requires a special person who is fluent in writing and translating Spanish. This is a volunteer position, so it's unpaid. But it comes with one of the biggest benefits of all - helping thousands of women!
Volunteer Requirements
- Fluent in writing and speaking Spanish and English
- Able to work remotely with access to email, Internet, and Zoom (or the like)
- Enjoys collaboration in a fun environment
- Can meet deadlines
If you are interested and would like to learn more, please send an email to Gina Mulligan, GinaMulligan@girlslovemail.com, with the following information:
- Your background
- Your comfort level with Spanish
- Availability for a phone call
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A Thank You Goes A Long Way
On Feb 28th, Barbara Fairbairn wrote to Fred Roggin of the Desert Sun Newspaper about his Shelter From the Storm article:
“As the chairperson of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Prevention
committee for the Women’s Club of Indio, I want to thank you for shining a
light on SFTS.”
Mr. Roggin replied in appreciation with a big, red heart.
| | ESO With CFWC - Participate Via Zoom | | |
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 23, at 5:00 p.m. to discuss our next book, The Briar Club, by Kate Quinn. This book falls under the categories of American History and Historical Fiction.
The meeting will be held via Zoom, and the link will be provided once available.
To view a copy of the current ESO Newsletter, please click here. For more information about this and other De Anza District ESO events, please contact Marlon Carrier at mjcarrier22@gmail.com.
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Our club is looking for a Health and Wellness Committee Chairperson
to oversee activities that current committee members already coordinate. Contact health@womansclubofindio.org for more information.
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EASTER BASKETS
It’s that time of year again! As per our Club’s annual tradition, we will once again gather and fill Easter Baskets for kids to receive at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM) in Indio and the Galilee Center (GC) in Mecca. Come together with other WCI sisters and help stuff the Easter Baskets on April 12th from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Heritage Room at Heritage Palms.
Thanks to all who have already donated items for this fun event. If you have not had the opportunity to do so yet, you can still bring any of the needed items (see below) to our next General Meeting on April 2nd or email health@womansclubofindio.org, and we will arrange to pick up your items. If you would like to donate money towards the Easter baskets, please bring it to the Treasurer, Claire Whitney, at our general meeting, and we will “hoppily” do the Easter shopping for you. Snacks, supplies, music, and fun will all be provided on April 12th.
ITEMS STILL NEEDED TO STUFF THE CHILD-SIZED BASKETS
bubbles plastic eggs - small handheld toys - handheld games - small puzzles
card games - activity kits - books - art supplies - action figures - small dolls
sports items - coloring books - healthy wrapped treats(no hard candies) - Easter grass
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Making Woman's History OUR History!
Please add your autobiography to the others our members create by filling out the form on our website. You deserve to be remembered for your life outside the club and your participation as a member. Go to www.WCIndio.org
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Click on About Us in the top menu.
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Click on Our History in the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down to the biography questions.
- The questions are just above the blue club photo.
- Write as much or as little as you like.
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68th Annual De Anza District Convention
Click on the image to register for this event. The deadline to register is March 26.
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CFWC Photography Contest Winners
Say Cheese! Our annual photography contest is one of our most popular events, and it did not disappoint this year either! We had 18 terrific submissions in six categories. Please take a moment to enjoy the winners selected by the judges and the attendee favorites. Enjoy!
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Editor's Note
I am excited to serve as the new editor for our newsletter and truly appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this wonderful club. Our goal is to make this newsletter a valuable resource for everyone, and your input is both needed and welcomed!
I encourage all members to share their voices—anyone can submit articles at any time! Please keep in mind that the deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month. I look forward to working with you all and sharing the amazing stories, events, and updates that make our club so special.
Yours in Service,
Lorelei Ceja
editor@womansclubofindio.org
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CFWC AND GFWC
The California Federation of Women’s Clubs is a statewide non-profit service organization, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs is a non-profit international organization. Both are dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.
Please send articles, questions, and corrections to Editor Lorelei Ceja at editor@womansclubofindio.org.
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