January 2026 Newsletter
- Dana Point Women's Club
- Jan 18
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 19
Join us for our 75th Anniversary Fundraiser
Tickets go LIVE on 1/26/26 at 10 AM
Step into a Mad Men–inspired evening filled with period-style décor, vintage vibes, and plenty of fun. For those who wish to fully embrace the vintage theme, we encourage you to showcase your favorite classic cocktail fashions and lean into the spirit of the occasion. This fundraiser is shaping up to be our biggest and best yet. 100% of net proceeds will benefit Project Foster — giving foster and at-risk kids, clothing, essentials and HOPE!
How can you Help??
Ready for the ultimate night out? Bring your favorite people — family, friends, that special someone — and get your tickets for an unforgettable event! But wait -- the excitement doesn't stop there; we're on the hunt for awesome donations like gift cards, concert or game tickets, and dreamy weekend escapes for our raffle and silent auction.
Want to be a VIP? Jump in as a sponsor for music, décor, tasty bites or just toss some cash into the mix — every bit counts! Our sponsorship superstars (including some generous members!) are already stepping up to the plate. For all the insider info, hit up our sponsorship guru, Jody Hughes.
Swing by your favorite salon, shop, or restaurant and ask for gift card donations to help fill in our silent auction. Every contribution pumps up the party and helps us raise big bucks for Project Foster. It’s a win-win--more fun for everyone!
And when the lights go down on the main event, get ready for the epic after party! Think music, dancing, drinks, and nonstop good vibes. Come for the cause-stay for the party!
Look What Fell Out De Mango Tree
Look What Fell Out De Mango Tree is an intriguing original play featuring internationally-acclaimed performers Debra Ehrhardt and Christopher Grossett, and directed by famous actor/composer/singer Paul Williams. Based on Ehrhardt’s true-life story, the play explores the weight of what’s unspoken, the healing that forgiveness makes possible and the quiet power of vulnerability. It's about the stories we inherit without even knowing, and the spaces left empty by things unsaid.
Patrons of our sixth annual sold out story telling event, "Do Tell", will remember Debra's outstanding performance at Community House last October. This new play was recently performed to rave reviews at the Santa Monica Playhouse and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Net proceeds will be shared equally by DPWC's Project Foster, and the Jamaican Cultural Alliance supporting talented artists impacted by the recent Jamaican hurricane.
Mark your calendar for March 1, from 4-6 at the Community House
Tickets are $35 and are now live on DPWC website; seating is limited and we expect this event to quickly sell out. RSVP soon!
Our Popular Paint and Sip Event is Back!
Unleash your inner artist as we gather for a night of creativity, laughter, and good company! Grab a brush, small bites and a glass of wine, and let’s make masterpieces together while sharing stories and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Cheers to colorful canvases and great friends!
Wednesday, February 25th @ 5:00 PM. Tickets are limited, so RSVP early!
News from the Board
DPWC Legal Advisor Appointed
At its January meeting, DPWC's Board unanimously voted to appoint Hydee Riggs as the Club's new legal advisor.
Although the Club neither has nor anticipates any legal issues, it's nice to have a legal professional available to review our contracts and Bylaws and provide legal advice on an ad hoc, purely volunteer basis. Thank you, Hydee!
New Standing Rule Codifies Recommended Member Service
As you've probably heard, DPWC recommends that all members serve on a Team or Committee and volunteer in some capacity for a minimum of 20 hours per year (about 2 hours per active month). At its January meeting the Board added the following Standing Rule. Standing Rules are policy statements and administrative guidelines that are distinct from the bylaws but can be easily changed or codified. A complete list of our standing rules can be found on our website at the end of the Bylaws. Here's the new standing rule:
January Meeting Celebrates The Way We Were!
Welcome to the 1951 El Camino Real Woman’s Club!
Our January meeting truly brought the past to life. Our Board—and many of our members—embraced the spirit of 1951, arriving dressed in period style complete with pearls and gloves, horn-rimmed glasses, seamed stockings and plenty of cheerful chit-chat. Members were welcomed with a glass of sherbet punch, much like our predecessors enjoyed 75 years ago (we think our punch bowl may be a relic from the 1950s).
The Board stole the show with a hilarious and charming skit depicting what a 1951 board meeting might have looked like. Written by our creative Community House Rentals Director, Venee Tysler, the skit perfectly blended history with humor.
A surprising takeaway was just how similar the club’s story is today. While we are currently exploring plans to renovate our building, in 1951 the Community House founders had just been gifted the land and were actively raising funds to construct the very building we proudly occupy today.
The buffet sealed the deal on our retro celebration, featuring classic comfort foods like chicken pot pie, deviled eggs, mac and cheese, ambrosia salad, and—naturally, pineapple upside-down cake. With every bite it was clear: the 1950s were alive and well at the El Camino Real Women’s Club!
YOU can help get the word out!
As many of you know, DPWC tries to spread the word about our events, milestones, and most importantly, our philanthropic work, through our Social Media channels. We also use this free resource liberally to promote our Community House meeting and event rentals, which help fund our overhead, preserve the building, and support our philanthropic initiatives. We need YOUR help!
PLEASE:
Use these links to LIKE and FOLLOW our pages:
Community House Instagram (Community House DP)
Project Foster Instagram (Project Foster OC)
AND, as was helpfully pointed out by DPWC member Debra Shueler (thanks Debra!), if you COMMENT (even 3 words!) social media algorithms will identify our posts as exciting and automatically help us spread the word to other users.
You'll also see our articles from time to time on Dana Point Times Facebook, on Next Door, or as Patch articles we author and post on other pages. Whenever you see anything about DPWC, Community House, Project Foster or any of our other philanthropies, please take the time to LIKE or LOVE the article and comment positively. It all helps, and it's free advertising for our Club. THANK YOU!!
Philanthropy Update
Project Foster: We have stuffies!
One of the best things about Project Foster is that the public loves this philanthropy as much as we do. One of our most ardent supporters, who prefers to stay anonymous (we refer to him as Saint Michael) recently blessed us with 11 huge boxes of adorable, high quality Fiesta stuffed animals. We had told him we needed toys that were huggable for both littles and teens, including animals that were "cool" enough for older kids. Boy did he deliver -- we have giraffes, monkeys, frogs, turtles, pigs, whales and octopi - you name it, we have it. We are looking forward to sharing these wonderful comfort items in each duffle we fill in the coming months.
Project Foster continues to spread the word in the community, engaging with corporations, churches and other nonprofit groups to share this wonderful program and enlist their help in the form of cash or in kind donations.
If you know of groups that might be interested in hosting a drive or packing event, or making a donation to help us fund our goal of providing over 1,000 filled duffle bags in 2026, please email Project Foster.
Sign ups are available January through March:
Sign ups are filling fast, but there are still volunteer slots available on Sign Up Genius for next week through 3/31. Be sure to sign up and join in the fun. Volunteers will be working with trained leads to do a variety of tasks including:
Making hygiene or clothing kits
Sorting incoming donations
Filling complete duffle cases
Welcoming people dropping off donations
Organizing bin contents
Housekeeping - trash runs, tidying
Handbags for Hearts: Can you help?
Please collect gently used handbags and tote bags of all sizes from your friends, family and your own closets, and bring them to our February 5th meeting to support the 8th annual Handbags for Hearts Drive.
Please also consider a donation of NEW personal care items. See more details on the flyer at left or check out the invitation on our events page. This annual effort was founded by our generous member, Lucinda Lambros, and is another of our favorite philanthropies. Each handbag will be filled with items and distributed to 3 local charities on February 7th at the Dana Point Community Center.
Rising Stars and Guiding Lights
Step into the Spotlight! Meet our “Rising Stars” and “Guiding Lights”—the incredible women who keep our group shining. Thanks to Membership Chair and 2nd VP Pearl Zimmerman for these sparkling intros!
Though Guiding Light Venee Tysler has been a DPWC member for only a few years, her impact has been felt from the very beginning. As our Community House Director, Venee brings a generous spirit of service shaped by years of volunteering with the Boy Scouts and Taste of Dana, along with a keen professional eye honed through her work as an Events Planner. Her ability to jump in, organize, and elevate everything she touches has made her an invaluable part of our Club.
What Venee cherishes most about DPWC, however, is the sense of connection. She deeply values the friendships she has formed and especially enjoys serving on the Board—having a voice in decisions and helping guide the future of a Club she cares so much about.
Venee's involvement in DPWC also carries special meaning, as she proudly continues her mother’s legacy of leadership and service in Women’s Clubs at the local, state, and federal levels—a tradition of dedication that clearly lives on in Venee today.
We are delighted to introduce Rising Star Shelly Toole, one of the newest members of our DPWC Sisterhood.
A longtime Orange County resident since 1984, Shelly brings with her a deep sense of commitment, community, and care that shines through in every part of her life.
That dedication is especially evident in her remarkable career. Shelly has spent an impressive 40 years with UC Irvine, where she currently works in IT support.
She was inspired to join DPWC after reading about Project Foster, a mission that resonated strongly with her heart for service. Shelly is eager to give back to the Club by sharing both her technical expertise and the wisdom she has gained through years of Mother–Daughter community involvement.
She has held multiple board positions and served as a class advisor with National Charity League Capistrano Coast. She has also volunteered as a youth group advisor with LionsHeart. These experiences reflect her natural leadership, mentorship, and dedication to nurturing the next generation.
Book Club News
Our book selection for January is an 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 Shelley Currie. 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 22nd, 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. Future book club 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.
Save the Dates
Thursday 1/29 1PM to 2:30 PM BOOK CLUB
Thursday 2/5 10:30 AM to 1 PM LOVE & SISTERHOOD
Monday 2/23 6 PM to 7 PM VARIANCE HEARING-CH
Wednesday 2/25 5 PM to 8 PM PAINT AND SIP EVENT
Sunday 3/1 4:00 PM to 6 PM LOOK WHAT FELL/MANGO TREE
Thursday 3/5 10:30 AM to 1 PM MARCH GENERAL MEETING
Friday 4/24 5:00 PM to 8PM 75th ANNIVERSARY FUNDRAISER
**Please note April's Meeting is cancelled due to the Fundraiser**
Be sure to LIKE and FOLLOW our DPWC and Project Foster Facebook Pages and check out
our Instagram Pages @communityhousedp
and @projectfosteroc
