SITS News April 23, 2026

President Paula opened the meeting on a blue bird day!

Invocation: Lydia quoted Paul Simon who wrote: “One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.” Envision living cheek to jowl in a compact apartment building. But Lydia took it a step further in addressing the human condition where we may judge another using our ceiling while he is on the floor. At that point we need to find compassion and kindness instead of judgment. We can all benefit from both receiving and giving compassion.

Announcements: Lisa C. is still accepting donations to the “Wine Wagon”. Theresa agreed to work on the “SITS Corner” poster to replace the pictures with more updated ones. Next Thursday is Hockey Day and Paula will send a link to purchase tickets for those who would like to attend. Kim and Jeanne P. are accepting auction items so they can prepare them for distribution.

Todays presentation and breakfast meal was given by the Plant Powered Tahoe Team of Ivone Larson, Michelle Reilly, Dr. Greg Bergner, Jean Bergner and June Denney, RDN.

Dr. Bergner talked about the benefits of a Whole Food Plant Based dietary pattern and how it cuts the risk of Heart Disease, Cancer, Dementia and Diabetes.

The Standard American (SAD) diet is one of the most unhealthy diets on the planet with the amount of processed food, red meat and high fat dairy that is consumed. Americans in 1900 died mostly from infections, but in 2010 cancer and heart disease killed more than half of all Americans. The only diet that has been shown scientifically to reverse heart disease it a Whole Food Plant Based diet. In a recent study it lowered risk of a second heart attack by 99% and following close behind at 70% was the Mediterranean diet. Cancer cells are normally killed by the immune system and we can give our immune system a boost by eating more plant phytochemicals, avoiding toxins like pesticides and herbicides, and not smoking. Exercise has also been shown to boost our immune system. Some studies have shown we can lower our risk by 30-40% by adopting these practices. One of the most feared diseases is dementia and no prescription drugs have been shown to be very effective against Alzheimer’s dementia. What has show to be effective are lifestyle changes such as a plant predominant diet, avoiding toxins, exercise, social connectedness, restorative sleep, and reducing stress. Sound familiar? And lastly, diabetes also improves on a plant based diet, in fact Type 2 can be reversed. Although GLP-1s have made a big impact on obesity, we don’t know what the long term effect will be and they are expensive. Diet should be our first line of defense, then medication as a back up.

Then June Denney took the podium and gave us some practical tips on why and how to implement a plant based diet. Her philosophy is to add rather than subtract. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. How do you do that? Start early in the day with fruit, prep and clean a variety of fruits and veggies so they are available and with in reach in your fridge, buy only healthy foods so you aren’t tempted by that ice cream in the fridge or chips in the cupboard. Any healthy change is a step in the right direction and even small changes make a difference. Enhance foods with healthy sauces, dressings, vinegars, herbs, spices and citrus. June gave some eye opening info on oil and how is it the most calorie dense food on the planet, is highly processed and has little nutritional value. A cup of oil is nearly 2,000 calories. Better to eat the whole food that is used to make the oil–avocado, sunflowers, peanuts, olives, etc. Instead of oil, dry sauté veggies in a hot pan with a little broth if needed; use parchment or silpat to roast or bake; make homemade dressing without the oil. To lose 10 pounds, just cut out one tablespoon of oil from your diet every day. Protein was another big item of discussion. There are plenty of ways to get enough protein on a plant based diet. All vegetables contain protein. Beans, tofu, nuts and other forms of soy have higher amounts. Speaking of soy, the myth that it can cause breast cancer has been debunked. In fact it is now shown that soy is beneficial to prevent cancer. Too much animal protein can be problematic and lead to kidney disease. Depending on age and activity level adults need between 0.8 and 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. June showed a day of meals in the life of Ivone Larson who lost 100 pounds. Eating plant based, Ivone consumed 78.6 grams of protein , 50 grams of fiber and 1616 calories. The average American eats about 15 grams of fiber per day, where the recommended amount is 30 grams. On a whole food plant based diet, 40-60 grams is likely. Fiber is an important food for your gut where bacteria consume it and turn it into essential chemicals for your body. June’s parting advice was, “It is never too late.” If you want to learn more, check out our auction site where June has generously donated a consultation for the last several years to our fundraising efforts. SITS2026.org

Welcome to our new Event Sponsor, Clark Pest Control. They will be sponsoring the Mad Hatter Auction Event. Clark offers a free evaluation of a wide variety of pest infestation. Check out their website here.

April is National Volunteer Month! Learn more here!

Club or Event Sponsor Wanted for 2026!

Become a Club or Event Sponsor! This can be a business or an individual. Look to the column at your right who has joined us so far! Our sponsors are celebrated all year long.

Our fundraising is in full swing!

Partner with us in any way you can as together we work to enhance the lives of women and youth in our community and around the world.

• Purchase a Vacation Stay Raffle Tickets. See a member to email our team at [email protected]. EMAIL SALES end Saturday at 5PM. Last minute sales will occur at our Mad Hatter event on Sunday if we have any left. Winners are drawn on Sunday, May 17 at 4 PM..

We have two separate raffles and we will sell only 200 tickets for each opportunity, so your odds are great! One raffle is for a beautiful condo stay at Maui Kamaole in Kihei, Maui! It is generously donated by Jean Bergner and Cookie Rork.The second raffle opportunity is an “Anywhere in the World” Timeshare, and we mean it! the winner will select from a timeshare exchange such as RCI or Interval International and choose a timeshare wherever they want to play.

• Attend our Mad Hatter Tea Party at Valhalla Tahoe on May 17, 2026. Tickets are sold out! Purchase yours at www.SITS2026.org.
• Donate items or register to bid on Our Annual Online Auction! You don’t want to miss out on this! Bidding launches on May 17 and closes at 8 PM on May 30.

Soroptimist SITSter Club at LTCC Participates in Pride Fair

SITSter members Sofia and Angel host a table at the Pride Fair at LTCC.

SITSter member Stacy participates in rainbow activity provided by SITSters at LTCC for the Pride Fair event.

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

We’re a busy group!

Fundraising Committee

• ONLINE AUCTION is key to the funds we provide back into our community through scholarships, books, life essentials, and so much more. Members who requested specific donors were given their hard copy letters. Register to bid!!!
• VaCa Stay Raffle! Thanks to the Bergners, Prestellas, and Rorks, we again are selling vacation stay raffle tickets as a big part of our fundraising. Tickets are $50 each and only 200 will be sold for either an “Anywhere in the World” timeshare (thanks Jeanne), or a beautiful condo on Maui (thanks Cookie and Jean). Selling all tickets can net our club $20,000 for the work that we do in the community. Two lucky winners will be drawn at our Mad Hatter event at Valhalla on May 17!. Want to see what we’re talking about? Here’s a video on the Maui Condo.
• Donations are already coming in! Go to Sits2026.org to view or donate items. We need our business community to donate items or certificates! We’d also love for talented people to donate some of their creativity for experiences!!! Are you an expert baker who would create a class for a small group? Craftsman who can build and donate a cool birdhouse or mailbox? Pitch in however you can.

Healthy Women Healthy World

• Is organizing a Monthly Movement series. Each will take place following our business meetings around 9 am. Join us and bring a friend! Save the dates and let’s move! Apr. 9 – We took a quick walk around the College area. Great time to catch up with friends.
• May 14, and June 11….activities will be announced.

Technology Committee

• Is available to our ladies to learn more about our google account, our mail, and whatever else you need to help you be more efficient. Technology isn’t a fad, so get the amazing assistance that you need! Get a hold of one of the ladies at [email protected]

SITS Member Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues for April -June and Happy Dollars: These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses, so they are very important. Thanks to our Tech team and Treasurers, we continue to evolve into the most efficient payment and accounting methods. Use THIS LINK or QR Code to PAY YOUR WEEKLY, QUARTERLY, or YEARLY DUES AND HAPPY DOLLARS! *Be sure to use the drop down menu on the service charge and click “Other”, then type in “0”. You will not pay a service fee in doing this.

SITS Committee Signups~ Go to our signup listing site for this year of fun committee options here!

NEWS team schedule signups here!

Our Soroptimist apparel line is ready for purchase! Liz Prestella’s Torq’d clothing line for women is our supporter of this endeavor. Members and appreciators of SITS are now able to purchase apparel and items from her website. See what items are offered and to order go here. Thank you to the SITS team and to Torq’d for all of the hard work.

SOROPTIMIST CONFERENCES!

• SNR conference celebrating 50 years from June 5-7, 2026, in Reno.
• Biennial Soroptimist International conference will be held in Incheon, South Korea from July 22-25, 2026.

NON-SITS

Fun and Opportunities in Tahoe

There’s actually so much going on so you’re going to want to check out the EVENTS tab on www.southtahoenow.com, but here’s a few to get you started!

Volunteers needed for the Festival. To sign up go to this link:

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/545171660108/true#/invitation

Tahoe Learning Haven’s next forum is on May 13, 2026. Topic: TRADE PROGRAM & INDUSTRY FAIR!

Soroptimist International of the Sierra Foothills are inviting you to their Annual Garden Tour. May 16th and 17th in the Grass Valley area. There will be 7 gardens to tour, and one will feature an amazing Garden Shop with a variety of homemade items and Raffle baskets for bidding. Visit www.sierrasoroptimist.org for more info.

Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids is working with the schools to promote bike safety and also to come up with new rules for school cell phone use.

Community Safety Tidbit: South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is linked into a program purchased by El Dorado County. It’s the SMART911 program. Go https://ready.edso.org and create an account. Emergency services can gain important information on your home and who is in it as they are responding. You can provide as much or as little information as you want. Things like an elderly parent, pets, family members, Oxygen tanks in the home, etc., help first responders help you. Please take the time to check it out and SHARE.

Vista Rise Collective (previously Live Violence Free) is always looking for volunteers. There are many opportunities, for both direct and indirect services. Cash donations are always welcome, but every Tuesday they accept non cash donations such as furniture, clothing, etc. For more information about volunteering, donations and/or services provided click here.

PETAL KINDNESS is a non-profit organization that rescues flowers to uplift others and helps divert green waste from landfills. They are in desperate need of vases. Drop them off at 2941 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Leave behind wooden pallet wall.

Petal Kindness rescues these flowers from the landfill and provides them to non-profits, hospitals, senior centers, and community-based organizations to bring comfort, joy, and healing to our local community members. Donations and volunteers are always needed!

Blood donations are desperately needed . Please see details here and make your appointment today!

Looking for up to date resources in our community? Barton Health has a list for all of us and it is actively updated! SHARE this link with others!

ALL YEAR LONG!

LTCC Basic Needs Center is looking for food donations. A variety of foods and basic need items are on the list. Click here for full list and drop off details

If you’d like to donate through our club, please bring your donations to the monthly business meeting and Lisa C. or Andie will make sure they are delivered to the college. Please include an estimate on the value as LTCC needs to keep records of that information.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has a quarterly newsletter to keep us all updated on fire safety info. Their goal is to help people learn about the fuels reduction products they are working on, seasonal fire safety info and other fire dept related news. Click here to sign up for the newsletter

Saint Joseph Community Land Trust has changed their Motel to Home (MTH) program from a loan program to a grant program and we’re hoping this will attract families living in substandard housing, who would like to live in a more permanent and adequate home. Please click here for more details

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless seeks community support in keeping people cared for.

Our South Shore community has been able to sleep better knowing that our homeless population has an indoor option. This winter season marked the 10th anniversary of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) providing warm beds to the most vulnerable in our community.

The office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12-4 at the Red Lodge, 1137 Emerald Bay Rd.

More details here

Between Horses and Humans continues to grow! If you’re a lover of youth and a lover of horses, this is a program for you! You can keep up on their information by reading their newsletters here! Volunteers and donations are always needed. BHH Update-they are soon relocating to the Amacker Ranch!

Food Assistance Guide for So. Lake Tahoe. If you know of anyone in need, please share this information. Click and print!