SITS News November 27, 2025

President Paula had the morning off as we are “dark” for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! We all have so much to be grateful for. Even in the hardest times, we can remember that we live in a beautiful location and have friends and family to count on and enjoy. Thanksgiving is more than turkey and travel; it’s a forced stop sign in a chaotic year. This year, we need the deliberate practice of gratitude—a critical, year-round mental strategy—more than ever.

As Thanksgiving is here, I know we all give thanks for having known and loved such a lovely lady as Mandy Kendall. She was a big part of our club and our community, participating on the board, on committees and as a HUGE part of our fundraising efforts over the past 14 years. She is heading back to the U.K. to continue her career as a chiropractor and is currently adding an animal chiropractor license as well. Best wishes Mandy, the U.K. is lucky to have you back. Lisa and Kim will carry on, but less happily without our girl.

The Historical society presents a Living History presentation of:

“You’ll never escape the fruitcake:”

Fruitcake is a jolly romp through the tangled tinsel of Christmas traditions! From the noble origins of Christmas trees to the mysterious persistence of fruitcake (which scientists now believe may be immortal), local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff unwrap the weird, the wonderful, and the wildly nostalgic in a 55-minute living history presentation. The show is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Historical Society History Museum Complex, 3058 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Admission is free, but donations are always accepted.

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:

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!

PLEASE READ – It Takes a Village!

If you’ve lived in South Lake Tahoe for any amount of time, you know this place runs on community. We look out for each other’s kids, we show up when someone needs a hand, and we rally fast when the stakes are real.

Right now, one of the most important — and least talked-about — needs in our town is happening quietly, late at night, in living rooms and social worker offices:

Our local kids, entering foster care, are often being sent out of the county simply because we don’t have enough foster homes here in South Lake.

Not because they need to leave.

Not because they’ve done anything wrong.

Just because there wasn’t an available bed close to home.

If you have ever wondered if you could help, please click on the link or check out the flyer below and consider signing up to learn more!

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!