June 2025 Newsletter

Dana Point Women's Club
Jun 10
4 min read

Our June newsletter features the latest updates on Club activities:

Cheers to 75 Years!
DPWC Adopts Project Foster
FY 2024/25 - A Successful Fiscal Year
Upcoming Events
- Thursday 6/12 2PM - 4PM BUNCO MEMBER PLAYDATE
- Wednesday 6/18 5PM-7PM POLISHED WITH A PURPOSE PARTY
- Wednesday 6/25 1PM-3PM DPWC BOOK CLUB
- Monday 7/14 9AM - 12 PM PROJECT FOSTER PACKING PARTY
- Save the dates

Cheers to 75 Years!

DPWC members toast the beginning of FY 25/26 - our 75th Anniversary Year!

Can you believe we're 75 years old! The Board will be brainstorming this summer to generate some great ideas for our spring 2026 fundraiser which will be focused on this milestone. Carol Kelly is seeking volunteers to help her sort through old photo albums. We would like to pull out some of the most interesting photos which we can blow up for decor for the fundraiser. One of our clever members proposed that we dress like it's 1951 - what do you think? If you'd like to accompany us on a fun trip down memory lane as we sort through our stack of vintage albums, please email Carol Kelly and she'll set up a date that will work for our volunteers.

The planning and execution of this wonderful luncheon would not have been possible without a large group of wonderful volunteers who chopped ingredients for chinese chicken salad, made beautiful floral arrangements, set tables, served and bused tables and even washed the dishes. Thank you ladies! Check out the fun in our Facebook post HERE and HERE. (And be sure to LIKE our FB page while you're there)!

DPWC Adopts Project Foster!

The core team of Project Foster and our new DPWC members with President Kathy Belanger

These wonderful new members are the core team of Project Foster (formerly My Own - A Case for Kids) which was formally “adopted” by DPWC on June 1, 2025. From back left, DPWC President Kathy Belanger, Denise Laurent, Project Foster Founder, Debby Thrailkill, Kelly Berke, Shannon Wernemar, Teri Heisler. Front Row, Tracy Kolson, Isabel Bloom and Sandra Greenberg.

DPWC members went all out to welcome our newest members to the family. Project Foster Founder, Debby Thrailkill made a touching presentation explaining how the philanthropy started two years ago and has grown exponentially to the point where it has delivered over 2,600 cases filled with clothing, essentials and hope to Orange County's foster kids. Debby and her team are delighted to join our established nonprofit and DPWC is honored to welcome them. You can read the whole story on our website HERE.

Our sincere thanks to web designer Susan Leinen and our own webmaster Alec Burns, who helped PR Director Toni Nelson, Treasurer Donna Childress and Debby Thrailkill as we migrated the webpage over to our site.

Stay tuned for more information about Project Foster. Debby has scheduled a fun packing day for our members at Community House on Monday July 14th. We will get to see exactly what goes into the bags and select a stuffed animal, toy and/or book along with a handwritten note of encouragement to go to vulnerable children.

Project Foster volunteer Teri Heisler embroiders hopeful messages on blankets for Project Foster.

An invitation will be sent to all members, but if you'd like to volunteer for this or another aspect of Project Foster, contact Debby. The program has now expanded to offer bags to children outside of the foster care system who have been identified by guidance counselors or social workers. Last weekend, 21 bags were delivered to a trio of South OC schools. Click HERE to learn more.

FY 24/25 - A Successful Fiscal Year

Draft Operating Data was presented for FY 24/25

Despite Treasurer Donna Childress being on vacation, she somehow managed to provide draft financial data at the June 5th meeting for a fiscal year that ended just five days earlier! Thank you Donna! Revenue was up over 8% from last year; Club expenses stayed steady; and cash donations were up a whopping 84% thanks to very successful fundraisers, boutiques and Girls Night Out events. Many thanks to our Ways & Means Chair, Marla Freeman. Members can expect to receive a final, detailed financial report via email within the next few weeks.

Upcoming Events

Thursday 6/12 2PM - 4PM BUNCO MEMBER PLAYDATE RSVP to your Punchbowl Invitation or contact Marla Freeman.

Wednesday 6/18 5PM-7PM POLISHED WITH A PURPOSE

Click HERE to RSVP.

Thursday 6/25 1 PM to 3 PM - BOOK CLUB - Horse by Geraldine Brooks presented by Shelly Currie. If you'd like to participate, please email Karen Lamie.