December 2025 Volume 9, Issue 12 | | |
A Season of Service, Change, Kindness, and Sisterhood!
Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of November. In what feels like a moment, we’ll be celebrating Christmas and welcoming a new year. Time certainly does fly.
Our November Membership Induction and Committee Chair & Project Champion Showcase was truly special. We welcomed 19 new members, and seven of our committee chairs shared their projects, goals, and volunteer needs. The mix-and-mingle portion of the meeting offered a wonderful opportunity for new and current members to connect and explore meaningful ways to get involved. Thank you to our new members for joining us, and to our committee chairs and project champions for your time, enthusiasm, and dedication.
A heartfelt thank you as well to everyone who donated to our recent drives. We’ve already heard from several recipients who shared how much your generosity means, especially at this time of year. If you’re considering making a holiday donation, please keep the FIND Food Bank in mind. They need both food and monetary contributions.
Are you considering stepping into leadership? Whether or not you see it in yourself yet, you absolutely have what it takes to be an outstanding board member or committee chair. A wonderful way to begin that journey is by applying to be a LEADS candidate, the California Federation of Women’s Clubs leadership training program. Held over a weekend in February, this program offers growth, inspiration, and the chance to connect with like-minded women. Click this link to find out why you should consider becoming our next LEADS representative.
We’re also entering the time of year when we prepare our annual reports, an important opportunity to highlight everything we’ve accomplished together. I will be emailing those who led a project or event, and our First Vice President, Avi Rodriguez, will compile the reports for submission to the De Anza District. These reports not only preserve our history, but demonstrate our commitment to documenting the many hours of service and in-kind donations that make our club exceptional. Reports will be due at the end of December, leaving plenty of time for January submission.
It’s amazing to reflect on how quickly my two years serving as your president have gone by. As we move toward the next chapter, we will be forming a Nominations Committee to help identify future board leadership. If you are interested in serving on this important committee, please share your interest in our December meeting.
I look forward to seeing you on December 3rd at our annual Holiday Boutique Luncheon. Shopping begins at 11:00 a.m., and we’ll also have opportunities to win some wonderful items. Let’s kick off the season together with joy, connection, and a little festive fun. And remember—when saving a seat, save one for a new member and make a new friend.
Wishing you a December filled with beauty, warmth, and togetherness.
With joy,
Sylvia Baran
President, GFWC Woman’s Club of Indio
president@womansclubofindio.org
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GFWC News /
Dean's Report
| Birthdays & Anniversaries | | | |
Thanksgiving: A Season of Gratitude
As the leaves turn gold and the air takes on its familiar November crispness, we once again find ourselves approaching one of the warmest celebrations of the year—Thanksgiving. More than just a holiday built around favorite family recipes, Thanksgiving is a meaningful reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the many blessings that surround us.
Traditions We Love
Every family—and every club member—has their own iconic Thanksgiving traditions. For some, it’s about gathering with loved ones around a beautifully decorated table. For others, it's cheering on their favorite football team or enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And of course, the food: from turkey and stuffing to tamales, macaroni pie, or a beloved family dessert passed down through generations. Thanksgiving menus often reflect our histories just as much as our palates.
Giving Thanks by Giving Back
This season is also a perfect time to reflect on the impact we can make as a community. Many community organizations, including ours, carry the spirit of Thanksgiving into service—volunteering, supporting local charities, and offering kindness where it’s needed most. In a world that often moves too quickly, giving back becomes a powerful way to express gratitude.
A Moment for Us
As we celebrate, let’s also take a moment to be thankful for each other—the friendships that have grown, the laughter shared during meetings, the accomplishments we’ve achieved together, and the support we offer one another.
This November may your homes be filled with warmth, your tables with good food, and your hearts with gratitude. And as a club, may we continue to uplift, empower, and inspire—just as we have throughout the year. Happy Thanksgiving to all our members and their families! May the season bring joy, togetherness, and renewed appreciation for all the wonderful people and moments in our lives.
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Coming Events
DECEMBER
3rd December General Meeting, General meeting and Annual Holiday Boutique, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
15th ESO Literacy Club Meeting, 6:00 pm
18th Board Meeting, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
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Save the Date
JANUARY
7th January General Meeting, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
22nd Board Meeting, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
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GFWC Clubwoman Magazine - Fall 2025
Now Available
The newest issue of GFWC Clubwoman Magazine has arrived, filled with inspiring stories, national updates, and highlights from across the Federation. From International Day of Service projects to historical celebrations and global convention news, this edition showcases the remarkable work of clubwomen near and far.
Be sure to explore the features, tips, and insights that connect us to our federation sisters and shine a light on the impact GFWC members make every day.
Download your copy using this LINK
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New In-Kind Donation Guide Available from GFWC
Many of our projects involve donating physical items—everything from toiletries and clothing to books, supplies, and gift baskets. To help clubs assign consistent and accurate values to these donations, GFWC has released an updated In-Kind Donation Pricing Guide.
Using this guide ensures that:
- Our donation values are recorded consistently
- State and national reports reflect the true impact of our service
- GFWC can compile reliable statistics that highlight the collective generosity of clubwomen nationwide
Whether you’re preparing a project report or helping track donations for your committee, this resource makes it easy to determine the appropriate value of each item.
You can download the guide here: LINK TO GUIDE
It is also available anytime through the GFWC Digital Library under the “Donations” section.
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Why Reporting Matters
Each act of service we complete tells a small part of a much bigger story—one that deserves to be recorded and shared. A recent article from the GFWC California Clubwoman highlights why reporting our volunteer work is so important.
In short, reporting helps us:
- Show our impact: Accurate hours, donations, and project details strengthen grant applications, partnerships, and fundraising efforts.
- Preserve our history: Annual reports document our club’s legacy and ensure future members know where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished.
- Inspire others: Sharing successful projects gives other clubs fresh ideas and proven strategies.
- Create great publicity: Reported statistics and stories become valuable content for newsletters, social media, and press releases.
- Support GFWC nationally: State reports roll into GFWC’s national data, showcasing the collective power of clubwomen across the country.
As we wrap up another year of meaningful work, let’s be sure all our efforts count. Your reporting helps tell the story of who we are—and the difference we make together. Click Here
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It's Dues Time! Let’s Get Ready for a Great Year
PAY ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 2026
It is time to pay your annual dues ($100). Along with prioritizing your club involvement, get this year’s dues off of your “TO DO LIST”. Please renew on or before February 15, 2026.
Please use the link below to re-new your membership. This is the easiest, fastest and most convenient way to pay.
CLICK HERE TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Also, we offer the ability to pay through Zelle, which many of you are doing for our monthly lunches. Payment by Zelle (if your bank supports this app) allows our club to collect the full $100 (PayPal charges a processing fee).
- PayPal ($103.50 Processing Fee Applies)
- Zelle ($100.00)
- Check ($100.00) Available at our January 7, 2026, luncheon or mail your check to:
WCI
P.O. Box 1503
Indio, CA 92202
- Cash ($100) Available at our January 7, 2026, luncheon
Note: If you are new member (joining October, November, December 2025) your dues are $23.
Thank you on behalf of the Financial Team!
Claire & Dona
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ESO Celebrations & Holiday Fun!
CONGRATULATIONS to Ellen Cafferata and Isa Crystal!
Ellen achieved Star Level, meaning that she has reported on 56 books! Isa, a new member just submitted her Member Level 16 book reports - 4 books in 4 categories.
A group of us have signed up with the Riverside County Library Adult Literacy Program and will be leading book clubs for challenged readers and tutoring in a variety of classes. Join us and enlighten your own pathway while you help others.
Our next meeting is on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 pm, which will be both a book discussion and our Holiday Party. The meeting will be at Shelley Diemer’s house (at Indian Palms Country Club). It will be a potluck and there will be plenty of holiday fun. Our group picked a fun read (if you consider murder to be fun). We will be discussing The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Hope to see you there and bring a dollar store item of no more than $5 in value for our fun White Elephant Gift Exchange.
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GFWC's National Campaign to Support Canine Companions.
GFWC has launched a nationwide campaign to raise funds for Canine Companions, an organization that provides highly trained service dogs free of charge to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. This partnership celebrates 50 years of life-changing teamwork between GFWC and Canine Companions, and clubs across the country are joining in to help reach the 2025 fundraising goal.
Service dogs make an extraordinary impact—offering independence, confidence, and support to those who need it most. Even small contributions can help provide training, food, medical care, and placement for these incredible dogs.
Our club will be discussing how we can get involved together, whether through donations, team fundraising, or creative support projects. Stay tuned for details on how you can participate as part of a coordinated WCI effort.
Learn more about the national campaign here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/gfwc25/
Together, we can make a meaningful difference—one service dog, one life, and one act of kindness at a time.
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Each month, we share photos from Woman’s Club of Indio events and activities, grouped by occasion so you can enjoy the moments as they unfolded. December brings a wonderful mix of service, celebration, and seasonal cheer—and we’re excited to highlight it all.
If you have photos from events, small group gatherings, or behind-the-scenes moments you’d like to include in our December gallery, please send them to editor@womansclubofindio.org. Thank you.
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The Celebration and History of the Wedding Dress
De Anza District is looking for Federated Members to help with our February 7, 2026, fundraiser. We are looking for the following:
1. Models to wear our bridal fashions and formalwear
2. Wedding pictures
3. Wedding gowns to be displayed or modeled.
4. Your love stories
5. Vendors
This is a very personal and exciting event. Do you have a wedding gown that has been worn by multiple people in your family, or a dress that you loved so much and would love to see walk down the runway? A fun love story? Have you always wanted to walk the runway, or know someone who does?
Please help De Anza District and if you are interested in helping or want more information, send an email to deanzacfwc@gmail.com. This is going to be a fun event.
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Editor's Note
Our Voices, Our Story
Our newsletter is more than just updates—it’s a space to celebrate, inform, and inspire. Most importantly, it’s a place where the voices of our members shine.
As we enter December, a month filled with reflection, celebration, and the spirit of giving, it feels fitting to look back on all we’ve shared this year. From meaningful service projects to joyful gatherings, our club continues to thrive because of the dedication, kindness, and creativity of our members.
Do you have something you’d like to contribute? A recap of a recent event, highlights from a committee project, a favorite photo, or even an idea for a story—we welcome it all. Your contributions bring warmth, connection, and personality to every issue.
Let’s keep shaping this newsletter together—capturing not only what we do, but the spirit of unity and generosity that defines us during this special season and throughout the year.
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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