October 2024 Volume 8, Issue 10

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. We are fortunate to be members of these organizations.

Please direct questions, corrections, suggestions, and compliments to

our editor, Peg Boortz, at editor@womansclubofindio.org.

For officer and chair contact information, click here.

GFWC National Day of Service

Friday, September 27th

Thank you to our members and friends who will participate in WCI’s efforts to combat food insecurity in our community. On Friday, September 27th, volunteers will pack fruit in boxes at FIND Food Bank.

It’s not too late to donate to FIND Food Bank via their website with WCI as your honoree or by check payable to WCI mailed to our P.O. Box 1503, Indio, CA 92202.

Special thanks to Bonnie Tucker, who coordinated our efforts at FIND.

1st VP/DEAN

Avi Rodriguez

Dear Woman’s Club of Indio Members,

Just a reminder that there is a new method for tracking your hours and donations. As I mentioned in my previous article, we work hard for the club, and we sometimes forget to record our time or donations. It is important to track our time for tax reasons and to earn points and recognition for our efforts through the De Anza District and CFWC. 

Last month, I wrote to let you know that a digital form has been created to record volunteer and donation activities. It is very user-friendly and can be accessed from any device (phone, iPad, tablet, computer) that has the internet. This method does not eliminate other ways to submit your hours; however, it is the preferred method, and it will dramatically reduce the time needed to maintain an organized and easily accessible record of our collective efforts.

Click here for the link to the Google Form: https://forms.gle/NCPc4CPVeHVHZSB19 

Anytime you do any work or spend any time on behalf of WCI, record your hours as volunteer hours. Anytime you make a donation of money or items that benefit programs WCI supports, record your donations. The link to this form is easy to find on the website in a few places: on the Member Login page, at the bottom of the home screen page, and in the member portal. The best way to use this form is to fill out the form each time you complete a volunteer activity or make a cash or in-kind donation. However, you can choose to fill it out once a week or once a month - whatever works best for you.

I have created a short "How To" video (click here) and I will be happy to host a Zoom meeting to provide additional help. I will also be available at the beginning and end of our monthly meetings with my laptop to help you enter your time. Of course, if you have any questions or need assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the board.

Thank you for your continued dedication and service to our community. Together we can achieve great things!

With joy,

-Avi Rodriguez

Dean@womansclubofindio.org

2nd VP/Membership

Shelley Diemer

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

We are calling All New Members! Join me for a membership orientation on October 17th at 6:00 p.m., during which we will discuss all things GFWC Woman's Club of Indio so that you can be properly introduced to our fantastic club and website. Light snacks will be served.

We will meet at my home, 49577 Beatty Street, in Indian Palms Country Club. You must enter at the gates off Monroe. The guard will have your name, so please RSVP. 

You may ask other members to come with you. Please email me to let me know if you and any other members can attend.

Warmest regards,

Shelley Diemer

2nd VP, Membership

GFWC Woman's Club of Indio

Cell: (248) 227-3341

membership@womansclubofindio.org

ARE YOU READY TO PARTY?

CFWC MEMBERSHIP CONFERENCE



The weekend of September 13th to the 15th, I was lucky to attend a CFWC membership conference, and did I come home with some new ideas! At the October 2nd meeting, everyone will receive a passport to use as we travel through the year. You can receive stamps in your passport throughout the year for various participation reasons, and the person with the most stamps will receive a gift for her efforts. For example - stamps will be given for attending meetings, donating, and volunteering for various events.

I want WCI to win the MemberShip Party, and I know we can do it. Reach out to friends, neighbors, and anyone you know who would really enjoy being a part of our group.

Warmest regards,

Shelley Diemer

2nd VP, Membership

GFWC Woman's Club of Indio

Cell: (248) 227-3341

membership@womansclubofindio.org

3rd VP/Programs

Dawn Gummer

We are having our first planning session for the annual fundraiser on Friday, September 27th, at 2 PM at Heritage Palms. Several of you have emailed me that you will be attending, and I want to make sure that everyone feels invited to attend, share their ideas, and be part of this incredible team. It will be fun, and, as always, our goal is to have a fantastic luncheon and raise enough funds to support our 2024-2025 budget.  

Serving with joy,

Dawn Gummer

Programs@womansclubofindio.org

Calendar of Events

(For more details, click here to visit our website calendar.)

Please remember to submit your hours each month. Just click this link and scroll down a bit to open the form. Answer the questions on the form. It's very easy to do, and you can enter your hours every time you volunteer or donate.

Civic Engagement

Interested in Volunteering?

You've come to the right place! WCI is dedicated to serving our community and we 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. Volunteers are always needed and genuinely forever appreciated.

The History Museum will soon launch a new children’s program called Storytime.

• Storytelling and story reading, first Sunday of each month, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, October 6th: Scarecrow theme; reader not needed, but you can help with the art project, dressing scarecrows
• Future themes based on holidays and time of year
• Spring theme: Cahuilla myths and stories
• Volunteer one or more times

You can also help by donating new or gently used books for ages 4–14.

If you are interested in participating in Storytime, please contact Maureen Boren, Docent Coordinator, d1hotbo@aol.com,760 221-0239.

Let’s Read!

Thank you to the lovely ladies who wrote cards for Girls Love Mail. This includes Irene Calderon, who included cards written in Spanish, and Trish Lounsbury, who wrote 14 cards! We appreciate all the contributions. Below is their thank you note to us. Please keep those cards coming! Email me, brtucker429@yahoo.com, if you need more cards and directions. 

Dear Bonnie,

Our thanks to you and your group for your Girls Love Mail contribution! We received your package and are excited to get your kind words out to a woman in need. We appreciate your organizing everyone together to help GLM!

"Giving out the letters touches my heart. I get hugs, tears, smiles, and

gratitude from our patients!" - Deana V., Oncology Nurse 

Again, thank you for your hard work. Please pass along our gratitude to all of the letter writers. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Best,

Nancy 

Nancy Shaw, Volunteer Coordinator 

Domestic Violence Prevention

Barbara Fairbairn, Chair

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At our September Kick-off meeting, each attendee received a purple bracelet. If you did not attend, please find me at our next meeting, and I will give you one. Angelina Coe, Executive Director of Shelter From the Storm, gave these bracelets to the Woman's Club of Indio. Please be sure you wear the bracelet, especially during October. Also, if you could please wear purple on Thursdays in October, that would be wonderful. Wearing purple will show your solidarity with the victims of this tragic crime that occurs all too frequently in our society. 

We will collect "pre-loved" or newly purchased holiday ornaments in October. The SFTS currently has no holiday decorations. I will provide a clear bin for your donations and present it to Angelina Coe when she addresses our membership at that meeting in November. 

We will be announcing our new campaign soon. I am working with other clubs in the De Anza District. I am looking forward to new ways and ideas for giving back to our communities with respect to Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse. If you are interested in contributing to our committee, don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you.

Barbara Fairbairn

Chairperson DV & SA

WCI & De Anza District 

dv@womansclubofindio.org

ESO

Mickie Reed

Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is one of the benefits of being a General Federation of Women’s Club member, as this literary society is exclusively ours. The motto is “Enlighten Your Own Pathway,” and that is just what we do. By reading books in categories we would have never previously considered, we are increasing our knowledge and widening our viewpoints. 

Join us as we discuss the next book in our Banned Book category, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. We will initiate our new pledges and enjoy a good dinner. October 15, 2024, 6:00 p.m. at Sloan’s Restaurant’s back room, 81539 CA-111, Indio, CA. 

Health and Wellness

PAINT EL PASEO PINK WALK

Lorraine Velona, Project Champion

Saturday, October 19th

Kickoff at 7:30 a.m.

Walk Starts at 8:00 a.m.

WCI Members Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Louis Vuitton Store

The Desert Cancer Foundation event “PAINT EL PASEO PINK” is a community walk that takes place on October 19th to raise awareness for Cancer and much-needed funds for the Desert Cancer Foundation (DCF). DCF raises money to help local residents who lack health insurance or sufficient funds to pay for their medical care. The walk starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Gardens on El Paseo.

Because No One Budgets for Cancer

Your support and all funds raised will help provide for residents who need financial assistance with cancer care and treatment. What a fabulous organization! It’s bad enough being diagnosed with cancer, but the reality of the cost is very scary. I know. The cost was staggering. Fortunately, my insurance covered a good portion of it and now I’m cancer free for 2-years. But for someone who doesn’t have the financial means, it can be financially devastating.

I strongly encourage you, your family, and your friends to register and walk with me and other fellow WCI members to help others who are fighting for their lives and help them ease their financial worries. 

If you are unable to attend, then please donate what you can. No amount is too small. 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

First, be ready for an exciting and inspiring morning! This is a special day to honor and remember the individuals who have been faced with cancer. We honor our survivors, including those currently battling the disease. And we remember our loved ones whose journeys were cut short by cancer. Together, we will celebrate, shout out, cheer, and shed tears, and we will step up for cancer awareness and raise funds for cancer care.

We encourage everyone to wear PINK! Your $40 registration includes a PINK! commemorative T-shirt. However, the more PINK! the better!

• T-Shirt Pickup: Wed. 10/16 – Fri. 10/18 | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Hotel Paseo Boardroom
• Payment confirmation email is required to pick up your T-shirt
• No size changes once registration is complete
• Team captain cannot pickup T-shirts for entire team



Kickoff at 7:30 a.m., Walk starts at 8:00 a.m.

For the walk, we recommend wearing comfortable “workout” attire and sneakers. Please use sunblock and consider wearing a hat to protect your head and neck from the sun as well. Let’s keep it safe and fun. Here is the link for you to pass along to your friends and family so they can join our team! 

https://www.paintelpaseopink.org/join-a-team/womans-club-of-indio-2023

For Donations only:

If you have any family or friends who will not be able to attend the walk but would like to make a donation, they can use this link as well.

https://www.paintelpaseopink.org/donate/womans-club-of-indio-2023

Thank you! I am grateful for your participation and support. Let’s get that PEPP in our STEP! #PEPP

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S - COACHELLA VALLEY

Arlene Handler-Smith, Project Champion

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Civic Center Park, 43900 San Pablo Avenue

Palm Desert, CA

Festival Area Opens - 8:00 a.m. * Opening Ceremony - 9:00 a.m.   

Walk starts - 9:30 a.m. and goes around the park  

We will meet by the stage ** Wear your WCI shirt or a royal blue shirt

How can you participate? Walk, donate, or both! We've raised $1,480 of our $5,000 goal and need your help. Any amount of $5.00 or more helps to reach our goal. Ask family and friends to help support our goal and post the link https://bit.ly/3zrAzSE on your social media pages with #WCI & ALZ together. 

Make it fun, and bring your well-behaved dog if it isn't too hot.

Do you need to register to walk? YES! The Alzheimer's Foundation requires you to register & sign a waiver through the registration site. There is NO FEE to join the walk. Instead of a fee, they ask every participant to donate what is comfortable for them and join the fight against Alzheimer's.  

Does every participant get an Alzheimer's T-shirt? No. Only registered participants who either donate or raise a minimum of $100 will receive an official Walk to End Alzheimer's T-shirt via USPS. If you meet these criteria and do not receive your shirt, let me know. We ask you to wear your WCI or a royal blue shirt to identify us.

To register and/or donate, click here. The Register to Walk button is in the upper right corner, and the Donation is on the left. If you are struggling with the website, let me know and I can help. Just call, email, or text me. You can reach me at (916) 871-4703 or travel.handler@outlook.com.

Hope to see everyone there and bring your friends!

Membership

The VOLUNTEER SPIRIT

Recognition Awards

Congratulations to our forty-three members, who collectively earned seventy-eight awards for their service to our club and community. Special acknowledgment goes to Rising Star winner Karen Acker and Dr. June McCarroll Award winner Barbara Fairbairn. Well done, everyone!

2023–2024 RECOGNITION AWARDS

Photo Gallery

Federation News

DE ANZA DISTRICT CLUB PARTICIPATION PROJECT

The District Club Participation Project is a fun club competition designed to connect the dots between clubs and Federation.

Points are given for:

• New Members 
• LEADS Candidate
• Attending District Conference
• Attending District Convention
• Attending Area D Conference
• Receiving Stars or Circles for GFWC’s Star Program
• Narrative Reports Submitted
• Newspaper coverage
• Achieve ESO Membership level or additional letters 
• Attending other clubs’ events                                                                             

The Winning Club will receive a custom retractable banner and a custom table cover.

Special Membership Award!

District Chimes – To be passed yearly from Club to Club. Awarded for Greatest Percentage of New Members from CFWC Yearbook 2023 to 2024 and Yearbook 2024 to 2025, etc.

WOMEN'S HISTORY

Peg Boortz, District Chair

Mickie Reed, a Biography

As the De Anza District Woman’s History Chair, I am responsible for writing essays about accomplished women who contributed to our quality of life. I could write about women who lived long ago, but I decided to write about members of the District who are leading remarkable lives today. I want Woman’s History to be our history, and after all, the speech I gave at the conference is now history.

I chose Mickie Reed to be the De Anza District’s first Woman of Interest, and rightfully so. You will be surprised at all that Mickie has done. Did you know she wanted to be a farmer or that she was a nightclub singer at the tender age of eighteen? There’s so much more to her story, so click here to find out why we admire her.

DE ANZA DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Monday, September 26, 2024

Hemet, CA

Mickie Reed, De Anza District President; Claire Whitney, District Registration, Reservations, and Credentials Chair; Barbara Fairbairn, District Domestic Violence Chair; Marcia Daniels, District Health and Wellness Chair; Marlon Carrier, District ESO Chair; Peg Boortz, District Woman’s History Chair, and new WCI member, Elizabeth Tucker, represented you at the first District meeting of the fiscal year. This was also Mickie’s first meeting as the District President. The guest speakers were Cyndi Lemke, Director of the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce, and Susan Corona, Hemet Library Adult Literacy Services.

Mickie added several breaks in the otherwise all-business meeting: a “Guesseroo Game” (how many strips of paper were in a large glass jar), an opportunity drawing, a “Done-in-a-Day” project (filling 200 Teacher Survival Kits), a skit about volunteering, a CFWC-winning poem read by the Corona Club author, and a “Moment of Joy Singalong.” With all of the speeches, business items, announcements, and entertainment, the day went quickly, and we returned home feeling proud of our contributions to the conference and furthering the District’s work.

GFWC HOPE’S GARAGE SALE

It's not too late to donate items to our junior youth club GFWC HOPE's garage sale. Contact 760-668-7018 for pick up, and yes, we have a truck! Please come and shop the sale, too! 

We Thank and Support Our Sponsors

 Brought to you by the talented WCI Editorial Staff:

Peg Boortz & Dona LaFrance

www.WCIndio.org

STAY CONNECTED