December 2025 Newsletter
- Dana Point Women's Club
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Our December newsletter features the latest updates on Club activities:
Dana Point Turkey Trot Benefits Project Foster
DPWC Members Mingle & Jingle
Philanthropy Update: PF Warehouse Ribbon Cutting
Project Angel Tree - Wrapping Event
Rising Stars and Guiding Lights
Book Club News
January Meeting - The Way We Were
Save the Dates
Dana Point Turkey Trot Benefits Project Foster
DPWC was honored that Project Foster was selected as one of three beneficiaries of the 48th annual Turkey Trot. We enjoyed a prime location near the finish line for our booth which attracted racers and members of the public who enjoyed learning about our heartwarming philanthropy. Our volunteers collected donated pajamas, passed out brochures and provided information about DPWC, Community House and Project Foster. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who chose to forego holiday preparations (and sleep) to spend Wednesday afternoon and/or Thursday morning at the race: Kelly Berke, Sandy Pellegrini, Kate Hennessy, Kathy Belanger, Tamara Reddy and Letissa Celindro. Special thanks to Jody Hughes and Whitney Adams who not only manned the booth but helped Toni Nelson set it up and take it down, and to Julie Aros who joined Toni at 5:30 AM for the early shift Thanksgiving morning. Now that's dedication!
DPWC member and Chamber President Vickie McMurchie and Katie McGann, Chamber Director of Marketing are to be commended for an incredible job herding 12,000 participants, countless vendors, volunteers and the general public through a truly fun and flawless event that went off like clockwork. We sincerely thank the Chamber of Commerce for their generous $7500 donation and their support and encouragement throughout the process. We also thank the race participants who joyfully ran the race and contributed another $2000 in donations to our cause!
DPWC Members Mingle & Jingle !
The holidays arrived, bringing a joyful and festive spirit to our December meeting. Upon entering Community House, members were welcomed with a glass of champagne and the room was beautifully decorated in red and white, radiating holiday cheer. Sparkling centerpieces designed by Karin Marsh featured twinkling lights and a Christmas tree stood tall to enhance the seasonal ambiance. There was no doubt that holiday cheer was in the air - especially when our special guests arrived!
Members were delighted by the wonderful sounds of the holiday season, performed by four a capella Dickens Carolers from Dana Hills High School. Choir Director Ray Medina encouraged audience participation, creating a friendly competition among the membership as everyone joined in singing.
Lunch was served to all attendees, followed by freshly baked holiday themed desserts, rounding out a memorable holiday gathering. Many thanks to all who participated in set up and clean up for this festive affair hosted by President Kathy Belanger and Recording Secretary Carol Kelly.
Philanthropy Update
Project Foster Ribbon Cutting Event:
The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce hosted a wonderful Ribbon Cutting Event on December 10th to celebrate the opening of our new Project Foster warehouse in San Juan Capistrano. The event brought in a great mix of people representing city, county and federal officials including Dana Point Mayor John Gabbard, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Frost and incoming City Manager Kelly Reenders joined by several city staff members; Abby Paulson representing O.C. Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and 5th District Supervisor Katrina Foley; and President Vickie McMurchie, and Chair Kelly Rinderknecht representing the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce along with Chamber Board Member Hydee Riggs representing
U. S. Congressman Mike Levin.
Special thanks to other participants including Project Foster Founder and Program Chair Debby Thrailkill, the entire DPWC Board, our incredible leads and volunteers, and the amazing volunteers who do the important work of embroidering throws, knitting hats, and making homemade pillowcases to provide hope and comfort to the children we serve. Due to space constraints we were unable to invite the entire membership to this event, but we know you were there in spirit and we thank you for your ongoing support.
During the standing room only event, Debby Thrailkill and 1st Vice President Toni Nelson addressed the audience, sharing the humble beginnings of Project Foster and outlining the organization’s future objectives. They highlighted the significance of the new warehouse, which was officially acquired on 1st of October, and emphasized our continued commitment to bring clothing, essentials, comfort and hope to local at-risk and foster kids and teens.
The warehouse was set up to welcome guests for the occasion, with some of the furniture and storage bins temporarily moved next door thanks to the kindness of our landlord. Guests enjoyed coffee and cookies homemade by some of our wonderful members - thank you! Attendees had the opportunity to tour the facility, gaining firsthand insight into the impressive scale of operations, which rely entirely on volunteer support. You can read more about the wonderful celebration in the Dana Point Times and view more photos on our Facebook Page.
Project Foster December Highlights:
Delivered 152 filled duffle cases to Orange County Social Services through the Priority Center. Whew! That was a lot of packing. Thanks to all our terrific leads and volunteers for making that happen.
152 cases ready to go to social workers for distribution to kids and teens as they enter foster care. Project Foster is very grateful for our recent generous cash donations from the Chapter Three Book Club, LA County Firefighter Gals, Surfside Quilters Guild, and 11 individuals including a few of our generous DPWC members. As you contemplate year end charitable giving, please keep Project Foster in mind. We rely entirely on cash and inkind donations from the public. Cash donations give us the flexibility to purchase exactly what we need at discounted prices. Our volunteers are constantly keeping an eye out for flash sales and good deals on the contents of our cases, not to mention the duffle cases themselves! Cash donations directly to Project Foster can be made HERE.
In addition, we continue to receive many in kind donations including some wonderful signed children's books from local author Laura Seely, almost 300 pairs of pajamas from Vista Del Mar Elementary School, a huge donation from Surfside Quilters. more PJs from the City of Dana Point staff, and assorted clothing and contents from Lionsheart, Assistance League of Saddleback Valley and many more, including our generous DPWC members. Thank you!
Project Foster is looking for knitters to replace a wonderful volunteer who has had to slow down due to arthritis. Thank you to Knitting for Karma and others for stepping up. If you know of others who would like to knit hats for Project Foster, please contact our "Comfort Queen" Denise Alvarez.
Adorable hand knitted hats donated by “Knitting for Karma” Project Foster has new Facebook and Instagram pages which are being curated and monitored by member Katie Horelick. Thanks Katie! Please check them out and be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW our pages to help increase community awareness.
A Joyful Project Angel Tree Gathering
The Community House came alive with the rustling of wrapping paper for our Angel Tree Wrapping Event on December 5th. With Christmas carols in the background, everyone pitched in, excited to help and have a good time together.
Members showed off their gift-wrapping skills as we wrapped approximately 300 gifts that were distributed to 70 kids from 32 local families. The sheer number of thoughtful and generous gifts was heartwarming. Some of the packing elves really shone when it came to bow-making —each present ended up with its own, beautifully made custom bow on top!
On top of all the great gifts, DPWC donated a $100 Smart & Final gift card to each of the 32 families, giving them a little extra help with groceries for the holidays.
Gifts were carefully sorted into large bags for each family (thank you to Treasurer Donna Childress for auditing this process) and delivered to Palisades and RH Dana Elementary Schools where the Principals were delighted with our gifts. Project Angel Tree is one of our most beloved annual traditions. Thank you to our generous DPWC members for making Christmas a little brighter for some of our struggling local families. You can read more about this effort in the Dana Point Times and on our Facebook Page. Many thanks to our creative Facebook and Instagram guru, member Madeline Smith, who delights us constantly with her wonderful reels.
Rising Stars and Guiding Lights
This monthly section highlights some of our new members, "Rising Stars," and our seasoned members, "Guiding Lights". Please read the brief bios below and get to know some of the amazing women in our midst. Thank you to our Membership Chair and 2nd VP Pearl Zimmerman who is the editor of this section.
Before retirement, "guiding light" Denise Alvarez built a fascinating career as an Environmental Geologist, working to uncover potential property contamination. With a sharp mind for detail, she collected samples, analyzed them in the lab, and ensured homeowners and communities remained safe. She retired during COVID, but her instinct for meaningful impact never faded.
Today, Denise channels that same dedication into something profoundly heartfelt. Known lovingly within Project Foster as our “Comfort Queen,” she recruits, inspires, and coordinates teams of volunteers to create handmade and embroidered blankets and pillowcases to lovingly tuck into our suitcases for foster kids.
Her leadership extends far beyond fabric and thread. Denise previously served on the DPWC Board, overseeing Community House rentals. She has always gravitated toward the quiet, essential roles that keep everything running smoothly — serving, cleaning up, and stepping in wherever help is needed. Denise’s heart for service and her gift for bringing comfort to others have woven her into the very fabric of Project Foster. We’re endlessly grateful for her warm spirit and the joy she brings to children and volunteers alike.
Every once in a while, someone comes along whose quiet devotion changes lives in ways that can’t be measured. For Project Foster, that someone is Teri Heisler — our secret treasure and the loving, creative hands behind more than 800 beautifully embroidered blankets gifted to foster children.
Before she begins each blanket, Teri offers a heartfelt prayer, asking God to bless her work and guide every stitch. Even when a message needs to be taken out and reworked, she does it with grace, patience, and an unwavering commitment to making each child feel seen, valued, and cherished.
Working at a fast pace — nearly four blankets per hour — Teri pours her heart into every “You are awesome” message, knowing these words may be exactly what a child needs to hear.
A former nurse, devoted mother of four, and proud grandmother of three, Teri brings a lifetime of compassion to everything she touches. Her blankets don’t just warm bodies — they warm souls.
Isabel Bloom has poured her energy, warmth, and unwavering dedication into her work with Project Foster (PF) — stepping in just months after Debby Thrailkill first launched the grass roots philanthropy from her garage in 2022.
In those early days, it was Debby and Isabel, side-by-side, who kept the mission alive — personally funding and fueling the heart of Project Foster for more than a year.
Their commitment laid the foundation for everything Project Foster is today.
Now, with DPWC’s support and a growing team, Isabel remains one of the steady, dependable forces behind the scenes. She helps with managing inventory purchasing, keeping clothing impeccably organized by age, size, and gender, and helping pack duffle cases of hope for children in need.
Before joining Project Foster, Isabel worked as an executive administrative assistant, supporting Presidents, VPs, and CFOs across multiple companies — experience that now shines through in her precision, professionalism, and natural leadership.
Isabel’s dedication is quiet yet powerful, and Project Foster is stronger, warmer, and more purposeful thanks to her contribution.
Book Club News
We are skipping December due to the holidays and have chosen to read the beloved American classic coming-of-age novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith. Discussion of this first 2026 book selection will be led by Cynthia Kartman. After consultation with members, book club meetings have been moved to the fourth Thursday of the month. January's meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan 29th, from 1-3 PM at the clubhouse.
Our next book selection is Made in China, by Amelia Pang and the discussion will be led by Karen Lamie. (There are several books with this title, so please note - Pang is the author.) This highly rated nonfiction book is about a prisoner, an SOS letter, and the hidden cost of America’s Cheap Goods. The February meeting date has changed to the third Thursday in February - Feb 19th - due to a scheduling conflict for Karen. Future bookclub meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month.
If you'd like to participate in the Book Club, please email Karen Lamie and she'll add you to the list.
January Meeting - "The Way We Were"!
Don't miss our first meeting of the New Year - DPWC's 75th anniversary year. Community House Rentals Chair Venee Tysler has an exciting evening planned for you, starting with social time at 5 PM. Don your pearls and twin set and join us for a look back at "The Way We Were" with a champagne toast, a wonderful meal that Mom would have been proud to serve in 1951, and some surprise activities! Be there or be square! Seats are filling fast. RSVP here.
Save the Dates
Thursday 1/8 10:30 AM to 1 PM JANUARY GENERAL MEETING
Thursday 1/29 1PM to 2:30 PM BOOK CLUB
Have a wonderful Holiday Season! Looking forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!
Be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW our DPWC and Project Foster Facebook Pages and check out
our Instagram Pages @communityhousedp
and @projectfosteroc
