SITS News October 30, 2025

President Paula opened today’s meeting as the cutest fall witch–not scary at all. See the photo below.

Invocation: Was read by Lydia as she recalled that former member Irene Radford used to recite the poem, “Little Orphant Annie” by James Whitcomb Riley from memory. It is a Halloween tradition for our club to behave, or “the goblins will get ya if ya don’t watch out!”

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 continues to be present for our warrior Wendy, who has completed her LAST chemo therapy! Yay! That doesn’t mean that treatment is over, but the hardest part is finished! Continued sunshine for Pat Miller and Jim Barr. Sending sunshine to our Maria for a quick recovery.

Guests today included: Koral and Sophia from the S Club at STHS joined us for our Halloween Party. And Hellen Barclay brought a friend’s niece to tell us about her project–Karen Projest Michael from Kenya. More on her project below.

Hellen Barclay introduced us to Karen who is from Hellen’s home country of Kenya. Karen has earned her BA in Accountancy and IT. At the age of 22 she is pursuing a project in the US for her home city of Dar Es Salaam. Karen was chosen as a finalist for the Pegasus Start Up competition held in San Francisco in October. The project that she pitched was to create “Smart Bins” that would send an alert to the pick up company when they were full. Karen explained that there is contamination everywhere in her city of Dar Es Salaam due to stagnant trash that never gets picked up. Women working as street vendors and children playing are exposed to this contamination. Also, people use the river as a dumping ground for trash and bottles and cans which could be recycled Her idea for recycling is to manufacture a “vending” machine that would give money for cans and bottles inserted into it. She is also hoping to inspire young girls that they can make a change in the world. We wish Karen luck with her project. To contact her directly for donations or information email: [email protected]

Today was a celebration of creativity, silliness and service as we enjoyed some Halloween games and projects created by Shelly, our party girl. Halloween Bingo, musical balloons and candy bar decorating were on the agenda.

Today’s meeting was actually a fabulous celebration of Halloween!

But we have fabulous meetings every Thursday from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM at the Lisa Maloff Center on the campus of Lake Tahoe Community College. Join us any Thursday. We welcome drop ins!

COMMITTEE REPORTS

• 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! (Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, May 14, and June 11….activities will be announced)
• SOCIAL COMMITTEE fun activities include: Nov. 16, 4 PM on is Friendsgiving at Laurie Flesher’s. Signup on signup.com. Max. 30 peeps. 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 and Happy Dollars: These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses so they are very important. Dues is 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:

• 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]

SITS HAPPENINGS

Sophia, President of the LTCC SITSters at the college “Club Rush”. Sophia was recruiting members for the college version of a Soroptimist service club.

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!

St. Gall Catholic Community

• 1343 Centerville Lane
• Gardnerville, Nevada 89410

St. Galls will hold their annual Christmas Boutique this weekend from 7AM-3PM on Friday and Saturday.

Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe is having a smashing fundraiser on Nov. 7 and tickets are still available! See details here!

To register for the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless FACES event, click here.

Nov. 9, 2025

Lake Tahoe Unified School District Presents a Musical Tribute to all our veterans on November 10th at 6:30 PM. Click here for more details.

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!