Happy Holidays from Dana Point Women’s Club! This month's newsletter features the latest updates on Club activities in the community:
December "Jingle Mingle" General Meeting
Project Angel Tree
Supervisor Foley’s Coat Drive
Rosey's Holiday Meals Fundraiser
Community House Getting a New Look
Upcoming Events
Jingle Mingle General Meeting
December’s Jingle Mingle was a warm and wonderful event honoring Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and thanking her for the $35,000 grant to help give Community House a much-needed facelift. Unfortunately, our indefatigable 5th District Supervisor came down with a rare cold and was unable to attend our event, but her Deputy Chief of Staff, Alyssa Napuri and her Executive Assistant, Lydia Chavez were on hand to present us with a giant check facsimile. Ms. Napuri gave a very informative and entertaining presentation bringing us up to date on Supervisor Foley's many accomplishments affecting Dana Point, and received our gifts on her behalf (a lovely floral arrangement, a bracelet designed by member Lisa Moreno with our distinctive DPWC shell logo, and an honorary membership in DPWC). Members enjoyed a champagne toast, a lovely lunch, homemade cookies and a wonderful floral demo by Cassie Jerold-Jones of Wildflower Florist.
To read the full article in the Dana Point Times, CLICK HERE
To read more about our County grant in the Dana Point Times, CLICK HERE.
Project Angel Tree
Members brought unwrapped gifts to the Jingle Mingle event on December 7th for 53 children adopted on behalf of our Project Angel Tree, benefiting families enrolled in United Way OC’s Spark Point Program in Dana Point. Gifts were wrapped by volunteer elves and delivered to RH Dana Elementary for distribution to the children on December 11th.
Sue Parks, DPWC member and CEO of United Way OC spoke at the Jingle Mingle event, thanking DPWC members for our participation in this third annual effort to help vulnerable local families have a happier Christmas. First Vice President, Toni Nelson announced that for the first time, the Board was able to add grocery certificates to our gifts this year. She presented United Way’s Associate Director, Taylor Montano with twenty-six $100 grocery gift certificates for each of the families representing the 53 children adopted by our Club. United Way volunteers sent photographs from the distribution, showing the many smiling faces that resulted from this heart-warming project.
Supervisor Foley’s Coat Drive
As a newly elected County Supervisor, Katrina Foley expanded her traditional Costa Mesa Christmas Coat Drive this year to include all the cities in her District. When we met with her in August to discuss our grant application, Ms. Foley offered to supply coats to all 100 kids in the Spark Point program in Dana Point. DPWC volunteers coordinated with County staff tasked with tagging coat donations from our members (about 40 coats) and the general public, and true to her word, each child received not only Project Angel Tree gifts, but a new warm winter coat. The Supervisor’s effort resulted in more than 500 coats being distributed to needy kids and teens.
DPWC President Kathy Belanger remarked, “This was an extraordinary effort and a wonderful example of community groups working together for a good cause. Not only did the Monarch Bay Sunrise Rotary Club and the Dana Point Youth Board collaborate with us to make sure all 100 kids received gifts, but thanks to Supervisor Foley’s efforts, each child also received a coat. Along with our grocery gift certificates, these gifts will help SparkPoint families have a much brighter Christmas. My sincere thanks go to not only our very generous members, but to Supervisor Foley and our friends in the Rotary Club and the Youth Board. “
To read more about the Coat Drive CLICK HERE.
Rosey's Holiday Meals Fundraiser
Thanks to Rosie’s Family Feasts, our members can enjoy fuss-free meals for the holidays! Now through December 31, order large or small family meals delivered to your door. Use code DPWC and 20% will go to Dana Point Women’s Club philanthropies!
To visit Rosie's Family Feasts website, CLICK HERE.
Community House is Getting a New Look
Members who attend our upcoming January 4th meeting will be pleasantly surprised with recent improvements to our 1953 building. Workers are swarming the Clubhouse at this writing, scraping old paint, repairing woodwork, replacing rotted windows in the foyer, removing and reframing a damaged kitchen door, and giving the “old girl” a much-needed facelift. The entire exterior and interior spaces will have a fresh coat of paint and a whole new look for 2024. Come admire our transformation!
Now booking for the holidays and beyond! DPWC's Clubhouse, Community House, is a great location for business meetings, luncheons, employee appreciation events, celebrations of life, birthday parties, small weddings and more. To learn more, click here to submit an online inquiry or contact the Community House Director at communityhouseDP@gmail.com.
Net proceeds from Community House rentals exclusively fund building maintenance and preservation, and support DPWC’s philanthropic programs.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, January 4th @ 5PM: General Meeting - “Welcome 2024”. Special guest: wonderful local artist, Hedy Buzan presenting: Portraits of Patriots - 12 women who changed America”. If you are able, please bring donations for our FAM formula and diaper drive. >>Click HERE to register!
Save the date: April 10th fundraiser - Cocktails for a Cause - 5 PM, Aventura Sailing Club.
Thank you to our members and beloved local community!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Dana Point Women's Club
Photo Credit: Club photography generously donated by Devin Marie Sims, DPWC Member