WCI Delivers

GFWC Woman's Club of Indio

December 2023 Volume 7, Issue 12

www.wcindio/home

GFWC WOMAN’S CLUB OF INDIO IS A PROUD MEMBER OF CFWC AND GFWC

The California Federation of Women’s Clubs (CFWC) is a statewide non-profit service organization with 10,000 members. Its motto, “Strength United in Service,” reminds us that more can be accomplished when we unite our efforts to serve others.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is an international organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. Founded in 1890, and with clubs in every state, Washington, D. C., and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members transform lives every day.

Scroll all the way down to the Federation section, and there you will find our newest addition: links to the Mira Mesa, Elsinore, Corona, and De Anza District newsletters. We’re sure you’ll enjoy reading about their activities and seeing photos of their events. Every club has its projects, which differ from ours in many ways. Yet, we are all united in the desire to improve our communities.

Leadership: Officer Reports

President's Message December 2023

To all our members, thank you for the valuable qualities you bring to our club; your willingness to volunteer, dedication, support, and selflessness ARE genuinely inspiring!

I hope you will join us for lunch on Thursday, December 7th, when we will welcome Marcia Willett, CFWC Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Chair, as our speaker. You will also be hearing from Barb Fairbairn on how you can support our club’s efforts in this program of service.

We will begin our social hour early at 11:00 a.m. to give everyone time to shop our Holiday Boutique and enjoy each other’s company. Please use the extra time before our meeting begins to look at our Bulletin Board and Announcements Table, which we are moving away from the entry/registration area to the kitchen-side wall of the dining room. There, you will find handouts and signup sheets for our upcoming activities.  

Take time this holiday season to be kind to yourself and recognize the volunteer treasure you are to our club and community. 

Peace and Joy to you all!

Your President, Marlon Carrier

1st VP/Dean

Christal Cansino

First, I would like to thank all our new and returning members who attended our annual report writing workshop meeting. This meeting had a lot of great information, and I hope our members learned a lot from it.

I encourage our members to turn in their hours now so that I can enter them in a timely manner since the year ends in a month. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email, call, or text anytime. 

Email: dean@womansclubofindio.org 

Cell: 442-400-4585

Reporting Hours Example:

Your name

General Meeting, October  2 hours  

If you had any monetary or in-kind donations, please add those.

3rd VP/Fundraising

Sylvia Baran

Fundraiser! Fundraiser! Fundraiser!

We are three months away from our annual fundraiser event. As I wrote last month, our committee is off and running, organizing an exceptional event for everyone to enjoy. To date, we have sold nine tables and have secured three sponsors. Whoop whoop! With your help, we can sell out our tables and create a fantastic keepsake program with lots of advertisers and sponsors. Please get the word out: sell tables and tickets, advertising, and sponsorships. Please visit our website and click on the ticker tape link running across the top of the page, and you’ll see where all of these sales can be accomplished. If you need any assistance at all, please email me or give me a call.

Now is the time to secure raffle items, silent auction items, and our wine surprise (bottles valued at $15 or more). If you don’t have bottles of wine to donate, feel free to donate cash, and we’ll do the shopping for you. 

Finally, we always need volunteers. Let me know if you’re available to help the committee either over time between now and our fundraiser or on specific days, such as the day of the event. Either way, we need you. 

We set our fundraising goal this year to be $50,000! The only way we can achieve that is if everyone pitches in. Please let me know if you can help, and let’s make this coming annual fundraiser the best yet!

Sylvia Baran

(760) 641-1313

Events

Upcoming Events

📌Beginning of December, please report volunteer hours and contributions to Christal Cansino, dean@womansclubofindio.org. 

📌 Board Meeting via Zoom: Thursday, 30th, 5:30 p.m.

📌 General Meeting: Thursday, December 7th, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

• Guest speaker: Marcia Willett, CFWC Chair, Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention
• CVRM/Galilee Toy Drive: Bring NEW, unwrapped toys, art project kits, sports equipment, games, and books for ages 0-18. 
• Desert Mountain Care Center: Bring new holiday throws and adult activity books (Spanish preferred).
• Indio Senior Center Giving Tree: Bring gift for assigned person
• Holiday Boutique: Shop for special gifts from 11:00-12:00 a.m. and after the meeting.

📌 Holiday Card Writing Event for Desert Mountain Care Center: Saturday, December 16th, 10:00-1130 a.m., Heritage Palms card room        

📌 Coachella Valley Rescue Mission See Community Action for details

• Toy Drive: December 1st-13th
• Meal Service: December 2nd, 10:00-12:00 p.m.; other December dates TBA. MUST pre-register at health@womansclubofindio.org
• Sort the Toys: December 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th
• Annual Toy Giveaway: December 20th, 7:30 a.m. SHARP

📌 Galilee Center See Galilee Center for details

• Food Basket Assembly or Toy Bag Assembly: December 18th, 19th, 20th, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
• Christmas Food Basket Distribution: Thursday, December 21st, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
• Toy Bag Distribution: Saturday, 23rd, 10:00 a.m.1:00 p.m. 

📌 ESO Meeting, Tuesday, December 19th, 6:00 p.m., Mario's, Indio. Discussion: The second book in the Travel and Geography category: "Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle,” the diary of Irish woman Dervla Murphy, who rode her bicycle from Europe to Pakistan in 1963. 

Please bring a holiday gift purchased at a dollar store priced no more than $5.00.

📌 Fly the Flag: Christmas, Monday, December 25th, (counts as 2 hours) 

Merry Christmas!

SAVE THE DATE

📌 Fly the Flag: New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1st (counts as 2 hours) 

Happy New Year!

📌 General Meeting: Wednesday, January 3, 2024, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

• Guest speaker: Claudia Castorena, CEO and Co-Founder, Galilee Center
• Collection: Kids' PJ's, socks, and underwear for Foster Kids
• Diapers, toilet paper, paper towels for Shelter for the Storm

📌 De Anza District Conference, January 15th, 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Calexico

Leadership: Chair Reports

Community Action

Marcia Daniels, Chair

The holiday season is upon us and with it comes multiple volunteer opportunities for WCI members to spread joy while helping others in need. Below we highlight some of the projects and events that you can volunteer for and or donate to during December.

For a special pickup of toys (#1 below), volunteering to sort toys (#2), pre-registering (required) for toy giveaway and meal service (#3 and #4), and to sign up for holiday card writing (#5), please contact health@womansclubofindio.org.

1. THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and Galilee Center runs from December 1st-13th. Bring new, unwrapped toys, art project kits, sports equipment, games, and books for children aged 0-18 to our Thursday, December 7th, meeting. Monetary donations are also accepted through our website (click here), at the December 7th meeting (see Claire Whitney, our treasurer), or send to WCI PO Box 1503, Indio CA 92203-1503, and we will shop for you. Earmark your monetary donation for the “CVRM/GC Toy Drive,” please. All donations must be received by December 13th.
2. VOLUNTEER FOR HOLIDAY GIFT SORTING AT CVRM on December 14th, 15th, 18th, or 19th. This is your opportunity to help get thousands of gifts ready for the CVRM ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOY GIVEAWAY.
3. VOLUNTEER FOR THE CVRM 2023 TOY GIVEAWAY on December 20th at 7:30 a.m. SHARP. Help children pick out a new toy, be a Santa’s Helper, and spread holiday joy with families at CVRM. The event lasts most of the morning and we are asked to arrive on time.
4. DECEMBER MEAL SERVICE AT CVRM allows us to help prep and serve meals to those who come to CVRM in need. Our first opportunity is December 2nd from 10:00-12:00 a.m. Other December dates TBA.
5. HOLIDAY CARD WRITING EVENT for residents of the Desert Mountain Care Center (nursing Home) on December 16th, 10:00-11:30 a.m. at Heritage Palms card room. We provide supplies, snacks and music. Come have some fun while making holiday cards. RSVP please so we know what to bring for everyone!
6. DESERT MOUNTAIN CARE CENTER is accepting donations of new holiday throws and adult activity workbooks (especially in Spanish). Bring to our December 7th meeting.
7. Volunteer for Galilee December Holiday Events. See Galilee article.

Finally a personal THANK YOU to each of you who have been so generous with your donations and time this year. Wishing, too, for all of our members, a joyful and healthy holiday season.

With gratitude,

Marcia

Questions? Contact Marcia at 818 235-7625 or health@womansclubofindio.org

The Galilee Center

 Susan Everett, Project Champion

 December Holiday Volunteer Opportunities! 

Come spread some holiday cheer and make sure to wear your Santa hats! The Galilee Center will need extra volunteers to help with their holiday prep and distributions on the following dates:

December 18th, 19th, 20th, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon

Food Basket Assembly or Toy Bag Assembly

Thursday, December 21st, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Christmas Food Basket Distribution

Saturday, December 23rd, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Toy Bag Distribution

** Please arrive 20 minutes before events begins. 

  Dress Code: No sandals, shorts, open toe shoes or tank tops.

Address: Galilee Center, 66101 Hammond Road, Mecca, CA 92254

Interested in volunteering? Please contact the Galilee Center at 760-396-9100 or email Lupe Hilario-Torres at ltorres@galileecenter.org for more details and to register. 

WCI members interested in joining the Galilee Center volunteer team or if you have questions, please contact Susan Everett at susanleverett56@gmail.com or

510-333-1497.

Advocates for Children

Rosalind Miller, Chair

Thank you to everyone who donated holiday gifts for the CV Foster Kids at our last meeting. These gifts will be greatly appreciated, especially by those children who will receive just one gift this season - yours.

Please add to your calendar the collection of pajamas, socks, and underwear for all ages at the January 3rd meeting. These items are always in great demand since the children are often removed from their homes at night with little chance of gathering clothes to take with them. Donate what you can and make life better for these children.

Arts & Culture

Emilie Jester, Chair

INDIO INTERNATIONAL TAMALE FESTIVAL, DECEMBER 1st-3rd: Features more than 260 vendors, multiple entertainment stages, Mexican music, dancing, arts, and a carnival. 

MAGIC OF LIGHTS, INDIO, EMPIRE POLO CLUB, NOVEMBER 17TH TO DECEMBER 31ST. Click for more information > Empire Polo Club – Magic of Lights

NORTH POLE VILLAGE AND TREE LIGHTING, CATHEDRAL CITY, DECEMBER 8th: with music, carolers, and free holiday movie.

TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY, LA QUINTA, DECEMBER 3rd: Annual event at Civic Center Park



HOLIDAY ‘WILD LIGHTS,’ PALM DESERT, NOVEMBER 23rd-DECEMBER 30th: At the LIVING DESERT ZOO and GARDENS. Reservations needed, so book soon.

HOLIDAY 'MERRY MOVIE NIGHTS,' GARDENS ON EL PASEO, NOVEMBER 27th-DECEMBER 18th: Family-friendly fun! Don't forget blankets.

ANNUAL TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY AND SANTA, SHOPS ON EL PASEO, DECEMBER 3rd: Event also kicks off drive.

PALM SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE, DOWNTOWN PALM SPRINGS, DECEMBER 4th: 5:45 p.m.

SANTA FLY-IN and WINTER LIGHT SHOW, AIR MUSEUM, DECEMBER 18th-22nd: Claus will arrive in his helicopter to greet all the good little girls and boys who come to see him.

CANDY CANE LANE, MINERVA LANE, A.K.A CANDY CANE LANE, CATHEDRAL CITY, LAST WEEK OF NOVEMBER THROUGH JANUARY 1st^: 50 decorated homes in a residential neighborhood. Take your family and friends, park your car nearby, and walk this area for all kinds of fun and surprises, and it is free.

It’s Contest Season!

Two CFWC and one De Anza District competitions will soon be here, and if you plan to enter one or more contests, now is the perfect time to choose what you’d like to enter. The contests are Art and Crafts, Photography, and Writing. Photography and Writing had to be done in 2023 and each has a different due date, so read carefully. Arts and Crafts entries could have been completed in any year. Click on the links below to find instructions and forms for each contest.

Civic Engagement

Margaret Nieto, Chair

Indio Senior Center Giving Tree Project

Those interested in participating in the Giving Tree project will receive their assignments (the person’s name and requested gift) between November 27th and December 1st. Gifts may be brought to the December 7th General Meeting or hand-delivered directly to the Indio Senior Center before December 15th.

Please consider buying a holiday gift for a shut-in or person in need. Contact Margaret at  civicoutreach@womansclubofindio.org to sign up.

The Fight to End Alzheimer’s

 Arlene Handler-Smith

I am very excited to report that we raised a total of $3,263 for The 2023 Walk To End Alzheimer's! Thank you to all of you who donated and/or walked. I’m so grateful! And, for anyone who still wants to donate, it's not too late! You can still Donate here toward our team. 

Should you have any questions, you can reach me at 916-871-4703 or travel.handler@outlook.com 

Thanks,

Arlene

Communication

Peg Boortz, Chair

Do you know the meaning of the word "Kudos?" Well, the definition is praise, honor and congratulations, such as expressed in a note I recently received from our CFWC 2nd Vice President, Wendy Curan.

Dear President Marlon,

I just had the opportunity to read the most recent Indio WC newsletter and wanted to let you know what a wonderful, insightful, fabulous newsletter - not just this issue but for many months!! I really appreciate how you share so much of what your Club is doing. JUST MARVELOUS! Can we bottle you and your crew to share with others??

To say that your members are a force to be reckoned with is an understatement. If you would be so kind as to let the members know. I admire how you all continue to blossom as beautiful desert flowers. Thank you for all you do in your community. 

With love, in Federation, 

Wendy Curran, CFWC 2nd Vice President, Membership 2022-24

I love Wendy’s description of our members as “beautiful desert flowers.” You truly are! 

Meetings and Programs for 2023-2024

Domestic Violence

Barbara Fairbairn, Chair

This month, we feature CFWC Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Chair Marcia Willett as the speaker for our December meeting. Domestic violence and sexual abuse is a subject that most people don't want to think about, much less talk about. All of us have been touched by this taboo subject at some point in our lives (6 degrees of separation?), whether verbal or physical or other. Please make every effort to attend this meeting.

Did you know that we have a shelter here in the Coachella Valley? Shelter From the Storm is the newest non-profit that we will support. Please click here to see Executive Director Angelina Coe's marvelous interview with Channel 3 local news.

If you find yourself at Costco and have an extra $20 to spend, please throw in an additional package of toilet paper, paper towels, or diapers. Please call, text, or email me, and I will pick up any item from your porch and deliver it to the shelter for you. You can also bring it to the January 3rd meeting and label this item for me, and I will make sure it is delivered for you!

If you are interested in joining our team, don't hesitate to contact me. We meet in the Heritage Palms library on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m.

Barbara Fairbairn

714-328-9710 barb.fairbairn@gmail.com

Domestic Violence/Sexual Abuse Chair WCI

Shelter from the Storm

Barbara Fairbairn, Domestic Violence Chair

In the Coachella Valley, there are the CV Rescue Mission, a few shelters open during the summer heat, and eleven soup kitchens and food banks. However, we have only one local shelter for abused adults and children - Shelter from the Storm, directed by Angelina Coe for the last five years. When we spoke with Angelina, she told us there was no limit on the number of children one might bring to the shelter, but pets are prohibited. Currently, the shelter leases a large house that sleeps ten. There is no time limit on the length of stay. The hope is that with counseling and support, these families can leave at some point and not need to return. 

Shelter from the Storm is a not-for-profit organization, 501c3. Recently, WCI welcomed them into our family and offered our support. The shelter’s most significant need currently is paper products. We can help by donating paper products and diapers at the January 3rd meeting. 

ESO

Epsilon Sigma Omicron Literary Society

Ellen Cafferata, Chair

Join us for the December 2023 meeting of ESO. We will meet at Mario's restaurant on Hwy 111 in Indio at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. 

For our next book in the Travel Category, we chose "Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle" as our following selection. It is the diary of Irishwoman Dervla Murphy, who rode her bicycle from Europe to Pakistan in 1963. Her diary not only chronicles the trials and tribulations of her adventure, but also introduces the reader to the many interesting and wonderful people she met along the way.

Please join us in this next discussion. Since this is the season of many holidays, we ask everyone who attends to bring a gift from a dollar store with a total spending limit of five dollars for the holiday gift exchange.

Hope to see you then!

Environment

Yard of the Month

Bernadette Subia-Martinez

Recognition Chair

George and Melinda Blackstone, 83925 Hopi, Indio, 92203

“Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” This is truly the neighborhood that reflects those very words. 

When Mickie and I left the home after placing the Yard of the Month sign, several neighbors came out to congratulate and take photos of the Blackstones. 

The Blackstones put a lot of love and time into this home. George is the one who designed, created, and continues to care for this landscape. George and Melinda, sharing your yard with WCI was a pleasure. 

Merry Christmas, Everyone. 🎄

WOMAN’S CLUB OF INDIO PRESIDENTIAL HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN 

We are presenting some of our past presidents as part of our ongoing campaign to develop our Coachella Valley History Museum Woman’s Club of Indio Presidential Hummingbird Garden. Everyone can adopt a president for a tax-deductible $100 and your sponsorship will be published in the Presidential Garden booklet. Donate a tax-deductible $500 and your name will be on a garden stepping-stone, as well as being included in the booklet. Make tax-deductible donations to WCI, P.O. Box 1503, Indio, CA. 92202 and designate on your check which president you are adopting.

President #48 Margaret Jones 1970-1972  

Margaret Jones, with a lovely smile, was our President from 1970-1972. She was a tireless supporter of the desert’s Junior Clubs, and was an advisor to the Indio Juniors and the Palm Desert Juniors. She was active with the De Anza District. Margaret was known around town as the Avon Lady who delivered orders on her bicycle. She was also the darling of the Palm Desert Post, and there are many articles detailing her summer vacations, family visits, and birthday parties in her native Indiana. Even though she lived in Palm Desert, she was a 25-year member of the Woman’s Club of Indio until she died in 1990. Her obituary title truly sums up how important our club was to her. Honor her with a donation, and please Say Her Name!

2022-2024 Officer and Chair Contact Information

Membership

Meet Our New Members

Marilyn Sue Haney

I was born in Texas and am a Californian by choice. I was married to my husband, Bob Haney, for 55 years before his passing eleven years ago. We had three beautiful daughters and a wonderful son who is deceased. Between my children, I have seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

I graduated from San Diego State and Pepperdine Universities and had a rewarding career in education. I taught kindergarten and 8th grade history, and was the vice principal of Imperial High School for ten years. 

Music is my life. I was an English Bell Choir director for fifteen years, taught 5th-grade drummers for ten years, and have played the piano since childhood. I was a Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, which led to being the pianist for 35 years. I am a twenty-year-member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Last year, I moved from the Imperial Valley to live in Indio with my daughter, Jane Malin Williams. My hobbies are watching hummingbirds, making quilts for foster children, and enjoying my dog Zeela. I am looking forward to being a part of the Indio Woman's Club.

Jane Williams

My name is Jane Malin Williams. I am a San Diego State graduate and retired from a remarkable career as a probation officer/parole agent. I love my secondary career now as a massage therapist and security guard. 

I have two handsome sons, Kyle, married to Lauren, in Maryland, and Bryan, married to Amber, in Arizona. Between them, I have four beautiful grandchildren. 

Since retirement, I have enjoyed club memberships and volunteer opportunities. I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Volunteer endeavors have been with Find Food Bank, Friends of the Desert Mountains, hospice, CV Rescue Mission, ABC Recovery, Martha's Village, and the Living Desert, to name a few. Giving back to the community and serving others gives me purpose and fulfillment. 

I am thankful Mickie Reed extended an invitation to attend the October meeting. It is with pleasure that I do not have to merely follow the club's events, but now I can participate as a member. 

Care & Concern

Gail Sand Update

It’s been four and a half months since Gail fell and broke her leg and elbow, and her leg hasn’t completely healed yet. She is at home, walking with her walker using her good leg and the ball of her foot on the affected leg. As you can imagine, this tires her out and restricts what she can do. Please send a note or thinking-of-you card to cheer her up.

Gail Sand

44418 Royal Lytham

Indio, CA 92201

Joan Helms



I wish to give my friends at WCI an update on the health issues I am experiencing. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease, and it has now advanced to stage 5. This stage means I'll be having dialysis treatments three times a week starting soon. Each month, I have my lab work done, and the filtration rate has been steady at 15 percent for the past several months, staying above the 12 percent my doctor said is the "magic number." Many side effects go along with CKD, such as shortness of breath, inability to walk far (100 feet for me), swelling of the feet/ankles, nausea, back pain, tiredness, low energy, and more. 

I miss going to the WCI club meetings, luncheons, and the many volunteer activities. I am told that after a few treatments, I will feel so much better, and I hope then I'll be back participating in some of the many fun events coming in 2024. I am fortunate to have my daughter and her husband living just a quick 25-minute drive from Palm Springs. They are available to help me whenever I need them.

Note: Joan requests no cards or phone calls. Thinking positive thoughts about her return to us in 2024 would be a good substitute.

Volunteer Spirit

When was a walk in the park a positive and supportive thing to do? When it was the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on November 4th. Bravo to Project Champion Arlene Handler-Smith who organized the walk and to members Marlon Carrier, Jackie Hagan, Linda Mesman-Poirot, and Pamela Smyth for participating in the event.

A big thank you to WCI members who volunteered at the Galilee Center in Mecca on November 20th: Marjorie Castro, Marcia Daniels, Candy Dravage, Susan Everett, Michele Krapf, Jackie Goodge, Marcia Meakim, Alice (Alli) Quiroz-Burns, Vicki Statler, Barbara Thomas, Julia Vasquez, and Jane Williams. Our team helped pack 700 food boxes for that week’s Thanksgiving food distribution to families in need. A shout out goes to members of the Palm Springs High School baseball team who helped with the heavy lifting! Well done, everyone! 

Birthdays & Anniversaries

December Birthdays

 

Barbara Fairbairn - 2nd

Vicky Franco - 2nd

Marilyn Sue Haney - 4th

(Nan) Maria Martinez -5th

Deanna Robinson - 10th

Kimberly Barraza - 13th

Shelley Diemer - 15th

Bobbi Morris - 19th

Jackie Hagan - 26th

Fran Handler - 28th

Carol Pawluk - 29th

Audrey Roberts - 29th

Michele Krapf - 30th

Dona LaFrance - 31st

December Anniversaries

Photo Galleries

Federation

What’s happening in other clubs?

Read the Mira Mesa, Elsinore, Corona and De Anza District newsletters

to see their projects and events.

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