We all know that Thanks-GIVING is coming up. Long time member and unstinting supporter, Pat Gray, has taken a huge first step. I’m thrilled to announce that she has made a very generous $5,000 donation to our Foundation. This is a terrific kick-start to our 2026/2027 Fundraising Campaign. Thank you so much Pat!
I am also very excited to announce the formation of our Volunteer Network, another way of giving. We have 46 people, (yes, there are men!) signed up to pitch in when they’re able. I’m also so pleased to announce that Jennell Lepe has agreed to assume the new position of Volunteer Coordinator. Please click on this link to learn more about the network and sign up! Please click on this link to read a profile of Jennell, written by member Desiree Gillingham. We plan to have a reception in January to get to know each other and review volunteer requirements for the April 27th Hoedown. Join us!
The Hoedown, (as well as individual and corporate donations), is how we primarily fund our Carmel Valley Scholarships and Community Grants. Linda Smutz is the Chair of the Scholarship Committee and has an article below on the workings of the Committee.
Our luncheon speaker was journalist and author Alison Van Diggelen. She is now a complimentary member of the club, and we hope to see her at some of our future events. Cheryl Harbour has photos and a write-up on the event.
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Our thanks, as always to Conne Sutherland and her helper Katia Barrett for organizing and executing our luncheon at LadySomm on November 4. It was full of delights! And, it’s an awful lot of work! We hope our Volunteer Network will be helpful in distributing the workload for future gatherings. Thanks also to Cynthia Rivera and Peggy Dickson for managing the reservation and check-in process.