Our February newsletter features the latest updates on Club activities:
Health & Wellness Expo
Heart to Heart Luncheon
Member Bunco Playdate
Rising Stars & Guiding Lights
News Bites
Upcoming Events
Friday February 21 BYLAWS REVISIONS emailed to members
Thursday 3/6 5 PM - 7 PM SPRING INTO ACTION meeting/bylaws vote
Sunday 3/9 12 PM - 3 PM DIRT DIVAS - gardening at Community House
Thursday 3/13 5 PM- 7 PM WINE & OLIVE OIL TASTING with Poggio Leona
Save the Dates
Health & Wellness Expo
DPWC's February 1st Health & Wellness Expo was a resounding success. According to DPWC's 1st Vice President, Judy Amiano, “The Health & Wellness Expo proved to be a powerful reminder of the importance of mind-body connection and the community spirit that thrives when individuals come together to prioritize their health. There were many inspiring moments and much curiosity about using natural/holistic approaches to enhance overall wellness.”
Thank you to our members who attended and helped with set up and clean up for this fun event that yielded $1, 653 for DPWC's philanthropies. You can read more about the Expo in the Dana Point Times.
Heart to Heart Luncheon
Our February 6th Heart to Heart Luncheon overflowed with LOVE! From the lovely red, white and pink decor courtesy of our amazing Hospitality Committee, and delicious chocolates handmade by our talented Treasurer, Donna Childress, to a very interesting talk on the "Art of Cardiology" by renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Timothy Lee, DPWC sent a big Valentine hug to our members and our philanthropies. Our members' contributions to our beloved philanthropy, Handbags for Hearts, totaled $2,670 of in kind donations, in addition to a $500 check presented to founder and DPWC member, Lucinda Lambros by President, Kathy Belanger.
The luncheon also featured a fun presentation by Facilities Director Monique Wolff, demonstrating, with hilarious audience participation, that when everyone gives 1% of their time, talents and resources, our nonprofit can give 100% to the community without anyone feeling overwhelmed.
Bunco Playdate
About two dozen members braved a rainy afternoon to bask in the sunshine of laughter and smiling faces at our Bunco Playdate on February 13th. There was hot competion for "Overall Winner" "Most Buncos", most mini Bunco's, and a fiercely competitive award for "Biggest Loser". Thank you to Ways & Means Chair Marla Freeman for creating a super fun afternoon!
Rising Stars and Guiding Lights
This section features 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.
Rising Star Brittany Tall is a lifelong resident of Dana Point who is very much looking forward to connecting with DPWC community members. She joined DPWC out of her love for this area and her desire to give back.
Brittany has a deep love for animals, proudly caring for her two rescue dogs. Believe it or not, she doesn't even own a television! She and her husband prefer spending time outdoors in nature.
Brittany works as a closet and kitchen designer for Home Depot, a role she considers her favorite job ever. She has an eye for organization and interior decorating and loves doing home improvement projects. In addition, she loves helping others manage finances, prepare taxes. and learn about investing. Her personal passions include meditation, yoga, and cooking.
Rising Star Letissa Celindro has lived in Capo Beach for 11 years. She has been blessed with a 17-year-old daughter who is a competitive dancer, 2 older stepdaughters, 5 grandchildren, and 2 rescue dogs.
Letissa is a licensed therapist, specializing in trauma; her core strength is being with people in a healing way. She loves spending time with her friends and family, traveling, hiking, yoga, and being outdoors. Letissa is an avid volunteer; she has been a Make a Wish grantor and worked with the Motel Ministries at Saddleback Church. Letissa's neighbor and friend, Julie Aros, invited her to her first DPWC event; Letissa looks forward to being part of our giving and our community.
Rising Star Febyolla Goss moved from the Seattle area to Laguna Niguel two years ago. She's originally from Jakarta, Indonesia. She loves being a mother to her 12-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. Febyolla and her husband run several companies, Makota Co which specializes in sport and outdoor accessories and apparel plus BUCKAcademy.org, which provides books and online education programs for children about personal finance.
Febyolla loves creating art, marketing, and supporting families in money management skills. Febyolla says, "I decided to join DPWC to give my energy and skills to my community; I'm all in with whatever I do."
News Bites
DPWC Expands Project Scholarship
Scholarship Committee Chair, Betty Hill is thrilled to announce that this year, for the first time, DPWC will be awarding four $1500 scholarships to local female high school graduates - three awards to Dana Hills High School Grads, plus the Ann Romano Memorial Scholarship which will be awarded to a female high school graduate who lives in Capistrano Beach. All applications must be filed by March 22nd. Winning candidates will be determined based on scholastic achievement, community service, school activities and overcoming personal hardship.
DPWC Members Respond to Wildfire Victims
Generous DPWC members have been touched by the losses experienced by thousands in the recent wildfire and are responding personally to LA fire victims, some of whom are connected to DPWC members. Pearl Zimmerman's son Kyle and his two roommates lost their Altadena home and are resettling in Pasadena with the help of generous donations of cash and used furniture from scores of people, including our members.
Toni Nelson's son David and his family lost both their home and their son's elementary school when their neighborhood was destroyed. Toni launched a book drive for Saint Mark's school to help restore the classroom and libary books lost in the fire. Generous DPWC members, along with parents, alumni and the general public are responding.
DPWC members contributed cash and in kind donations totalling $2,900 in books for Saint Mark's and used furniture for Kyle and his roommates.
Treasurer Donna Childress tracks these donations for our IRS reporting. If you have made a donation but haven't advised Donna, please email her with the approximate value of your donation. Your reporting also helps Toni and Pearl identify donations and send thank you notes to acknowledge your generosity.They are both touched and humbled by the tremendous outpoouring of support. Toni spoke for both of them when she was quoted in a recent news article saying, "DPWC is much more than a Club - it’s a group of dear friends who really care.” From the bottom of their hearts, THANK YOU, friends!
Spread a Little "Sunshine"
Please help us spread a little comfort and goodwill by reaching out to our Sunshine Chair, Diane Sagan, if you or one of our members is ill, experiencing a personal loss, or just needs a little extra "sunshine" to let her know that DPWC cares.
Email Diane and she'll send a lovely note on behalf of our membership or help you plan for a meal train or other assistance if one of our members needs a little TLC.
District Council Meeting
DPWC is part of the Orange District, which is part of Area C of the California Federation of Women's Club, which with other State organizations is part of an international organization, the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The next Orange District meeting will be held Friday, March 14th in La Habra. If you'd like to attend, please email our CFWC Coordinator, member Joan Kerr. Read more about the meeting, which is focused on Membership in the Orange District CALL.
Board nominations for FY 24/25
It's time to consider if you'd like to join DPWC's Board for a rewarding chance to become more involved in day to day Club planning, administration and policies. This year, the positions of Secretary, President, Treasurer, Ways & Means Director, 2nd Vice President Membership and Community House Rentals Chair will be open. Members (including incumbents) may nominate themselves or others at our April meeting. A nominating committee has been appointed by the Board in accordance with our By-Laws and will include Chair Monique Wolff, and Board member Judy Amiano along with one member at large (to be announced at our March meeting). They will be actively recruiting and will present a nomination slate to the membership at our April meeting in advance of our May vote. Should you be interested in any of these positions, please contact Monique Wolff for more information.
Upcoming Events
Register for upcoming events on our website HERE or use the specific links below:
Thursday February 21 - BYLAWS REVISIONS
In accordance with DPWC's bylaws, all members will be emailed materials showing each existing bylaw section, the proposed modification, bylaw wording after the revision, and the rationale for each proposed change.
Members are encouraged to vote in person at the March 6th meeting. A quorum (majority) of the membership is required for approval of bylaws amendments. If you cannot attend the meeting, please vote by email or USPS mail by March 6th.
Thursday March 6 - 5 PM to 7PM - SPRING INTO ACTION
Taylor Montano from Orange County United Way will discuss one of their latest program: Sparkpoint OC for Survivors of Exploitation.
Voting on Proposed Bylaws revisions
Nomination Period officially opens
Delicious dinner/social time
Register HERE
Sunday March 13, 12 to 3 PM "DIRT DIVAS" PLAYDATE
The "Dirt Diva's" need your help in pruning, weeding, fertilizing, watering and beautifying our gardens to supplement the work of our gardener. If you'd like to "get dirty" and help out, contact Maryellen Marsh and join the fun!
March 13, 5 to 7 PM WINE & OLIVE OIL TASTING
This members only event, hosted by Poggio Leano, a wonderful family-owned Temecula winery, features:
Four exquisite wine tastings
Two premium extra virgin olive oil tastings
Antipasti spread
Connect with a wonderful family-owned business
Access to exclusive offerings and special benefits
Attendance is limited to 40 persons, so please RSVP early. Net proceeds from the event, plus 20% of wine and olive oil sales will benefit DPWC philanthropies.
Save the Dates
Friday April 25th, 12 PM to 5PM Cozzena Spring Boutique
Wednesday May 7th, 5 PM to 8 PM Cocktails for a Cause
Don't miss our major annual fundraiser benefiting Project SparkPoint. Contact Marla Freeman if you'd like to be an event sponsor, help solicit or wrap auction gifts and/or help plan this fun event.
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