SITS News September 11, 2025

Published September 11, 2025

President Paula opened our Business Meeting.

Invocation

On this day of 9/11 remembrance, Lydia’s words quoted President Obama from 2011: “Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”

Today we must fight against violence and hatred and work tirelessly to protect our democracy. That is the legacy we owe to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Guests: We welcomed Sierra House Principal Karin Holmes who explained a new Reading Pals program Sierra House is developing (separate from Marcella Foundation program at Tahoe Valley). If interested in working weekly 1:1 with a student contact Sierra House School at (530)543-2327.

Sunshine

We have a lot of sunshine to spread this week:

Sunshine continues to be broadcast for our warrior Wendy. We also send thoughts and healing wishes to Laurie Kemper’s friend Carla who is now in rehab after her cancer treatments; Elizabeth’s 96 yrs. young father was recently diagnosed with cancer as well; Griffin Gregory who works for Ed Cook’s Tree Service fell while cutting down a tree and has just had back surgery; Tahoe Douglas firefighter Conner Bradly who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma; and to Jim Barr who will have surgery at Stanford next week.

A few photos from our Tahoe 9/11 remembrance ceremony today

More of the Business at Hand:

Paula and Jeanne gave a report on the Soroptimist Development Retreat (SDR) they attended in August. Jeanne went to several of the different workshops offered. Paula shared her President’s goals and the SITS action plan she’s developing. Going forward we will be following SIA’s guidance for all public-facing logos with the name Soroptimist under or on the side of the “S”. SITS will have a new Project Management Software called Asana and a new Expense Management Platform called Ramp. Committees are busy meeting to set their budgets for the year. Our newsletter is now on the SITS website under Our Activities. TASK and the LTUSD are developing a plan for Bike Safety. On September 30 there will be a community conversation at the LTUSD board room.

Committee Reports:

• Don’t forget! All Committee budgets are due to Lois or Andie by September 22.
• We need more people to help register attendance for the morning meeting. To volunteer, sign up for the Attendance/Hospitality/AV committee here.

We are sponsoring, along with the noon club, the SNR District 5 “Fall Into Service” meeting on Sept 20, 2025 at Lakeland Village with a social gathering at Idle Hour on Friday night the 19th. Registration is $40 per person and includes appetizers on Friday and continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Our club will be responsible for providing the continental breakfast. Paula has assembled a team to help her with the details of the meeting–Jeanne, Lisa C., Cookie, Nancy, Lydia and Shelly. For more information, and to register, click here. We’re so excited that the Keynote Speaker is our Ruby Award Winner, Andrea Drew.

SITS Member Quick Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues and Happy Dollars continue to be accepted at this time. These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses so they are very important. 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 for this new year of our fabulous club here!

SITS Newsletter wants YOU! Our newsletter is amazing and so is our team! The process is easy to learn and your commitment time is scheduled by you! You can prep ahead of your publication and make it a snap. Our team will be happy to teach you the point-n-click program and we’ll be at your side throughout the year. Sign up for your weeks now!

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.

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!

Free Performance, Sept. 26. For more information click HERE.

Join CASA for their 2nd annual Family Fun Day, happening on Saturday, September 27, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Hangar Lake Tahoe, 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Read details here.

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

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!

UC Master Gardener’s Free Event. Click here for more information.

Zephyr Cove Library’s latest programs for adults

Check out their website for opportunities offered.

www.library.douglascountynv.gov

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!