September 2024 Volume 8, Issue 9 | |
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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. 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.
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Greetings All!
OMG! Can you believe it? We are nearly in September!
Where does the time go?
These past few weeks we've had a couple of fun events, including our Tea Party Social and a luncheon at Longhorn Steakhouse. Both were very enjoyable and raised money for our club. A big thank you to Shelley Diemer and her amazing team of helpers, who organized both and made them happen.
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In just a few short days, on September 8th, we will see each other again at our Kick-off Brunch and Member Awards Ceremony. If you haven't yet registered to attend, it is not too late. It is at this annual brunch event, where we celebrate members' achievements and reconnect with each other.
Next up, we will participate in the GFWC National Day of Service volunteer efforts. I'm grateful to Bonnie Tucker for arranging our day of service to occur on Friday, September 27th, at the FIND Food Bank. You can read more about it below.
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If you cannot attend our day of service, please consider donating and sharing the information with your family and friends to encourage their participation as well.
When I think about what our day of service represents to our community and how we are working to eliminate food insecurities, I'm reminded of the incredible dedication and kindness of our club members. It amazes me, and I'm proud and filled with joy to be part of this wonderful organization.
"Always find opportunities to make someone smile and to offer random acts of kindness in everyday life.”
~ Roy T. Bennett
I am looking forward to seeing you soon and catching up with everyone.
With joy,
Sylvia
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For officer and chair contact information, click here. | |
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AN EVENT TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY
in the Coachella Valley
Join us for a morning of fruit and vegetable sorting and food packing at FIND Food Bank on Friday, September 27th, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Email Bonnie Tucker at brtucker429@yahoo.com with any questions and to register. You may also register at the Kick-Off Brunch.
Claire Whitney, Treasurer, will collect checks at our Kick-Off Brunch on September 8th. Make checks payable to WCI, indicating the donation is for FIND Food Bank.
Anytime through September 28th, donate financial assistance to FIND Food Bank through the WCI webpage. Click here to donate today. Please designate FIND Food Bank as your honoree in the Comments section.
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Beware of Email Frauds
Marlon Carrier
Past President
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Gone fishing this summer? If so, we hope you had a wonderful time, but BEWARE, internet phishers are in a neighborhood near you!
Phishing is a type of online fraud that uses deceptive messages to trick people into giving away personal information or downloading malware. The messages may appear to be from a legitimate organization, individual, or friend, and may include links to phishing websites. The scammer can then use the information to open new accounts or access existing ones. This method is also used to request gift cards or cash through other means. CHECK FOR RED FLAGS. In your inbox, use your mouse to hover over the sender’s address to see if it is familiar to you. If not, DELETE. If you have any doubt, CALL the sender for additional information.
There seems to be a rash of requests for gift cards hitting our members. Because some of our information is available via our website or other sources, our names are being cloned to fake emails requesting gift cards. Neither Woman’s Club of Indio nor De Anza District will ever request financial support using this method.
Please TAKE CARE!
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by Shelley Diemer
A Double Win Benefits Shelter From The Storm
A double win was achieved at our recent Tea Party Social by our first-place "Wow Factor" winner. The guests at hostess Barbara Fairbairn's table exchanged many texts and emails before the event with ways to build on Barb's original oriental theme. Together, they collaborated on the centerpiece, place settings, and favors for each guest, along with providing Oriental background music. With the exciting win of $100, all agreed to donate the prize money to Shelter From The Storm to further their mission of providing comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence in our community.
Barbara Fairbairn,
Hostess of the winning table
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by Dawn Gummer
Congratulations to you all. We made it to September!
It's time for us to put on our overalls and return to the different tasks we have accepted for this coming year. How much fun it is to work with so many who have come together from various walks of life.
We will have our first planning session for our major Fundraiser in March on September 27 at noon at Heritage Palms. Several of you emailed me saying you want to be part of the team. It is not too late to get your two cents in. Please come to the meeting if you are interested and want to help with the foundation of this year's project.
Here is my email address. If you are interested or want more information, please RSVP so we have a large enough room to accommodate everyone. Programs@womansclubofindio.org.
Dawn Gummer
3rd VP
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Coming Events
- August 29: Board Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 p.m.
- September 8: Kick-Off Brunch, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Heritage Palms. Collection: Financial donations to FIND Food Bank
- September 16: De Anza District Conference at Hemet; 9:00 a.m. to 2.:30 p.m.; $32 (registration and lunch); carpooling available
- September 26: Board Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 p.m.
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September 27: GFWC National Day of Service: FIND Food Bank, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; RSVP: Bonnie Tucker at brtucker429@yahoo.com
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Save the Date
- October 2: First General Meeting, 5:00–6:30 p.m.; Installation of Officers / Committee/Project Champion Showcase
- October 12: Area D Conference, San Diego
- October 19: Paint El Paseo Cancer Walk
- October 19 & 20: HOPE Yard Sale
- October 26: Walk to End Alzheimer’s
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Galilee Center
by Susan Everett, Project Champion
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From Galilee Center’s Facebook Page:
Galilee Center Backpack Giveaway
Our Annual Backpack Giveaway was a huge success! 1,000 kindergarten through High School students received a new backpack with school supplies. Seeing all the happy smiles was heartwarming, and we are blessed to hold this annual event.
Thank you to Big Horn Cares for your continued support! Thank you to @SunLineTransit, @KESQ, Woman’s Club of Indio, Unitarian Church, Agape Salon & many other organizations and donors who donated and helped make our community a better day for its children.
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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 help raise awareness for Cancer and much-needed funds for the Desert Cancer Foundation (DCF). DCF raises money to help pay for 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 that 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
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WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S
Arlene Handler-Smith
MORE THAN 11 MILLION AMERICAN WOMEN ARE EITHER LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE OR CARING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS IT!
ONE IN 3 SENIORS DIES WITH ALZHEIMER’S OR ANOTHER DEMENTIA!
These are just two of the many heart-wrenching statistics the Alzheimer's Association is trying to change.
Please join the Women's Club of Indio team and help us by donating to reach our goal of $5,000! You can make a personal donation, as well as ask family and friends to donate to this cause. October is closer than we think. Help us to once again make a difference!
And please join us as we walk on October 26th.
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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.
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Elizabeth Tucker
Born in Los Angeles and living in California my entire life, I am proud to call myself a true “California Girl.” I spent most of my childhood living in Orange County but left to attend college at UC Santa Barbara. I then obtained my Law Degree in San Francisco at UC Hastings College of Law. Upon graduation, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office hired me as a criminal prosecutor in the desert region working in Indio. Initially, I thought I would complete my three-year commitment to the DA’s office and move back to the Bay Area, but I am still in the desert after nearly 30 years and absolutely love it!
I have now raised two children in the desert. I am proud to share that my son is entering his junior year at UC Berkeley, and my daughter will be a freshman at UC Santa Barbara. I am very excited she is attending my alma mater and will also be a Gaucho! While raising my children, I was very active in my community and volunteered in programs that connected with my kids: Mock Trial, Girl Scouts, and National Charity League, to name a few. Now that I will be an “empty nester,” I realize I need to find new volunteer opportunities, so I joined the Woman’s Club of Indio.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, and reading. I have backpacked through the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, North Cascades National Park in Washington, Catalina Island, and Yosemite. This summer, I had a great adventure and climbed Half Dome in Yosemite! I have the pictures (and the blisters) to prove it!
In 2018, the Judges of Riverside County selected me to be a Superior Court Commissioner. I serve as a Judicial Officer presiding over courtrooms at Larson Justice Center, with similar duties and responsibilities to a judge. I have now embarked on completing my life’s biggest dream and am running for election this November to become a Riverside County Superior Court Judge!
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Recognition
By Janice Bowman
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For the month of August, WCl Yard of the Month (YOTM) would like to recognize the Marin family. They exceeded the challenges served up by the desert heat. This is not an easy task in temperatures up to 113. Despite the extreme desert heat, this yard is truly impressive. It goes to show that with creativity and careful planning, we can make beautiful and sustainable landscapes even in challenging environments like the desert. The Marins deserve all the recognition for their efforts! | |
Congratulations to everyone who donated school supplies, filled backpacks, or distributed backpacks. | |
Marcia Daniels with school supplies for Coachella Rescue Mission | | |
Second from left: Susan Everett with school supplies for Galilee Center | | |
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2023-2024 WCI Photograph Yearbook
The 2023-2024 yearbook features 252 photos of volunteers working at CVRM, Galilee Center, and FIND, the Pet Parade, Summer Socials, Federation meetings and conventions, Dia de los Muertos, holiday boutique, bingo, Memorial Day Wreath Ceremony, Donation Day, Yards of the Month, and of course, the fabulous Mardi Gras Fundraiser.
Each month’s Calendar of Events, club statistics, donations, collection drives, workshops, behind-the-scenes information, all of our members’ names, and members who won awards are listed.
Contact Peg Boortz at editor@womansclubofindio.org now to order your WCI 2023–2024 yearbook.
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Birthdays & Anniversaries | |
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De Anza District Conference
Make your plans to attend the De Anza District Conference in Hemet on Monday, September 16th. Mickie planned a lot of special and fun activities to make the business portion of the meeting barely noticeable. We’ll have a sing-along, play a game, see a skit, have drawings, participate in Done in a Day project (making something in a short amount of time to donate), and enjoy meeting members of other clubs. Registration and lunch cost $30. Carpooling is available. Sign up on our website now.
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We Thank and Support Our Sponsors | |
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Brought to you by the talented WCI Editorial Staff:
Peg Boortz & Dona LaFrance
www.WCIndio.org
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