SITS News November 20, 2025

President Paula opened our meeting on this snowy morning.

Invocation: Lydia’s words reminded us that the Thanksgiving season refreshes our sense of thankfulness, and we should strive to engrain that gratitude every day. This is a perfect time to redouble our efforts, celebrate contentment and appreciation, year round.

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. We are sending love to Jen Gurecki, founder of Zawadisha, as she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. A Go Fund Me has been established at

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jen-gurecki-support-fund

Guests We welcomed many guests today including Jan Gurnee, coordinator of Tech Trek for El Dorado County, family members and friends of our presenters, and 2 Tech Trek alumni.

Today’s meeting is one of our very favorites as we learn about the Tech Trek program that started in California in 1998. It is backed by AAUW’s research and designed to make STEM fields exciting and accessible to girls in middle school.

Our presenters were the four 8th grade students that the AAUW (American Association of University Women) and SI of Tahoe Sierra funded to attend a 5 day STEM camp this past summer at UC Davis. (SITS funded 2 and AAUW funded 2). Girls are recommended by their 7th grade science teachers and are then interviewed and selected by representatives from AAUW.

Here are Marley, Rylee, Ingrid, and Valentina. First, the girls shared a video that showcased the various classes and field trips which they attended. The video highlighted classes in anatomy, robotics, climate engineering, genetics and plant science, a trip to a veterinary clinic, the Mondavi Center, Bohart Museum, Meyer Hall, cardboard boat building, and an evening with professional women. Then each told a little about themselves and went into what they learned and took away from each activity.

Vet Clinic: how to properly put on scrubs and gloves, drew fake blood, wrapped a silicone dog’s leg in bandages, toured where animal surgeries are performed.

Anatomy: used blood pressure machines and stethoscopes, dissected cow bone, or dissected sheep eye, learned about bones in the human body and about the human eye

Robotics: Got to go on computers and code

Climate Engineering: engineered water desalination devices, were taught how to build a cardboard boat that they later raced that week.

Genetics: prepped 3 eggs in different environments to see how they would change by the next day, extracted DNA from a strawberry

Plant Science: tested pH levels of different plants in cups with liquid

Mondavi Center: how lighting and sound is produced for big shows, how to project images onto items to create 3D

Bohart Museum: viewed bugs and butterflies in cases, interacted with hissing cockroaches and giant stick bugs!

Meyer Hall: learned about health and nutrition and how much sugar is in their favorite drinks

Professional Women’s Evening: met with women of different professions.

It wasn’t all learning, learning, learning. There were a lot of team building activities, the final night was a dance, and they had a lot of laughs launching the cardboard boats to see if any would float.

As you can see this is quite an experience. Each girl said it was life changing in many ways.

At the end, Colleen Pence, cochair of our Project Middle School committee, presented Jan with a check for the 2026 camp to fund 3 girls sponsored by SITS. A HUGE thank you to AAUW!

SITSgiving Get Together

Our version of Friendsgiving was celebrated Sunday, Nov. 16 at the home of Laurie Flesher and Prakash. The Thanksgiving ambiance was so festive, scrumptious and plentiful food, but best of all the comradery so enjoyable. Many photos shared and can be viewed at

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FE0GcdE6tHvr7R9bImbijAouB5BE20a-?usp=drive_link

Here are just a few:

Newly Elected STHS “S Club” officers: Co-presidents Rocky and Koral with their fellow officers

.

Mt. Tallac students Jennifer, Anisa, and Tiana enjoy time with SITS members Laurie F. and Andie. This week the Life Skills group learned how to plan affordable nutritious meals and made fun turkey treats.

Lake Tahoe Community College SITSter, Stacy, helping out on the serving line at the College’s Community Friendsgiving.

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!
• Donations are already coming in! Go to Sits2026.org to view items as they are received and posted.
• 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, Holiday Party and 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]

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 celebratio

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!

Soroptimist Stadium Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Fri. Nov. 21, 3:30-4:00 p.m.

Please join Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the construction of the dugouts and renovation of the parking lot (1066 Lyons Avenue). If you have a Soroptimist hat or shirt, please wear them

Kiwanis Annual Sock Drive

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!

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!