SITS News November 13, 2025

President Paula opened today’s meeting to a full house!

Invocation: “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” -Joseph Campbell. Lydia recounted a personal experience that we could all relate to regarding life plans that didn’t work out. She reminded us to be grateful for the life that we have, the people who are important to us, and the love we share in this season of Thanksgiving.

What is Sunshine?

Our “Sunshine” is something we do each week to promote those who need more support and a bit of a pick-me-up or for those who are celebrating!

Sunshine for Wendy as she continues her journey towards health. For Pat Miller in her recovery from surgery. For Jim Barr to gain strength in rehab.

New Member Induction: This morning we welcomed Chelcee Thomas to membership into our club. Chelcee is the Executive director of Vista Rise Collective and grew up in South Lake Tahoe. Her Mom was a Soroptimist and she remembers volunteering with her. Chelcee was also in S club at the high school and received a Soroptimist Scholarship. We are so glad she has come full circle and look forward to getting to know her better.

Today was our monthly business meeting where we catch up on our finances, committees and correspondence.

The monthly financial dashboard and fundraising budget were approved by the membership.

Thank you notes were received from Alicia Manning a Mt. Tallac student, for the Life Skills class; from Gretchen Zeller and Pat Harnet for the fall books that Cookie delivered; from

Lily Erwin for the 2025 scholarship and from Bread and Broth for volunteering at Monday night dinner.

New Business: Taxes have been filed by Lois and the 2024-25 financial audit can be found on our Google Drive. Lisa H. will be mailing out the sponsorship and donation letters in the next couple of weeks.

Calling all Hands: We are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for Mt. Tallac students and staff on Friday, Nov. 21. Non-perishable food can be brought to the meeting on Nov. 20 and other dishes should be delivered to the Mt. Tallac school at the end of Lyons Ave. at 9:30. Look for the dumpsters on the left and park near the kitchen. Sign up for food, or clean up at: https://signup.com/go/WOXesbK We are asking everyone to be generous with their food so that every student can take a dinner home with them in addition to what is consumed at the feast! Remember that they are teenagers!! 🙂

Committee Reports: Live Your Dream Committee will be meeting Dec. 6. More information to follow. Middle School Projects is holding an activity on Dec. 2 in the LTCC cafe from 3-7pm to which all members are invited. They will be writing cards of appreciation to all the Middle School teachers and staff thanking them for their work with our youth. There are 79 cards to write and the committee would be grateful for help from members. Education: Cookie has delivered Holiday books to all the schools which were separated out from the main book give away last spring. A $300 check will be sent to the Tahoe Valley Ballet club for shoes from the Economic and Social Committee. SITSgiving sign-ups are due today if you would like to join the Social Committee for a festive dinner. Due to the weather the Healthy Women Healthy World has changed their outdoor walk to and indoor breakfast.

Other Announcements: SITS Holiday Party will be held on December 18 at the Lisa Maloff Center. Immediately afterwards, we will have a cookie exchange in the lobby. If you ever wondered about us, this would be a great chance to mingle with members. Guests are always welcome.

The Festival of Lights celebration will be held Dec. 12 and 13. Our club will staff a booth during the evening celebrations.

Mount Tallac Student of the Month-Lilly Montelius was recognized for her commitment to her studies, attendance, and supporting other students. She received a $75 gift card from our club.

Find your Mt. Tallac Gear HERE. Mt. Tallac is selling hoodies, sweat shirts, tee, leggings and lots more, but only until Dec. 5, 2025. Orders arrive in approximately one week and make a perfect Christmas gift!

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

• Fundraising is key to the funds we provide back into our community through scholarships, books, life essentials, and so much more. Currently we are asking all members to address the donation signup sheet that has been emailed out to sign up as the club contact for that business. If you need any assistance, contact Lisa Huard at [email protected] or ring her up!
• HWHW (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! (Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, May 14, and June 11….activities will be announced)
• Dec 18, following our SITS Holiday Party, will be a Cookie Exchange.
• Jan. 22 at 9 AM, let’s all gather at Elements for breakfast following our meeting. MORE SOCIAL to follow!
• Technology Committee continues to be 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 Quick Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues for Oct – Dec and Happy Dollars: These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses, so they are very important. Dues are generated by our Treasurers. Happy Dollars can be paid directly online on our website www.sitahoesierra.org on the Donate button. “Note” what the payment is for to help out our team!

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

NOTES TO MEMBERS:

• TABLECLOTHS ARE STILL AWOL! Check your homes for any tablecloths you may have from SITS. Cookie needs them back ASAP.
• A link for our auction business signups will come in an email. If you need assistance, contact Lisa Huard at [email protected]

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!

Kiwanis Annual Sock Drive

Free Spaghetti Dinner, Nov. 20, 2025

This is the 39th Season of Tahoe Arts Project. TAP performances include: Push Physical Theater-Jan 26-30, 2026, Katie Jane Band-March 2 – 6, 2026, Living Voices-March 23-27, 2026.

The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund is having their membership drive! The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund, a philanthropic leadership organization, is dedicated to building and engaging an inclusive and diverse membership of women interested in strengthening our community through the power of collective giving. Be a part of something big!

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.

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care could use donations of towels if you have some to take to goodwill, take them here instead. Check out their Facebook page 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 needed and four are scheduled in our community. 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!