501 (c) 3 Status Pays Off!

The 501(c)3 status is paying dividends. Once we achieved our status, Jan applied for a $1,000 grant from Jan employer—Anadarko–with help from her reference, Carol Johnson. She received notice a few weeks ago that our club will be the recipient of a grant! Thanks, Jan!

Membership

It would be great to have several NEW MEMBERS in the NEW YEAR ! Please let Carol J. or Jan H. know if you have a friend/family member/co-worker who would be a productive member of Zonta Club of Denver II. We would be happy to send them an e-mail invitation to our February general meeting. Keep those cards and letters coming.

Jan Hoyt/Carol Johnson
Membership Co-Chairs

Holiday Service Projects and Gifts

Excelsior

On December 4, the girls at Excelsior decorated Christmas stockings that Lois made. We provided trims and sparkly things to make them festeive. The Christmas stocking decorating theme is our “signature” event with the girls. It’s always quite amazing how much talent these girls have in expressing themselves creatively. The stockings turned out beautifully. A few Excelsior staff members joined in the decorating. Cookies and soda were provided to all. Thanks to all the volunteers that have made this a very special 2014 with the girls. Suzanne, Lois, Jan and Carla are always ready to host an event and/or bring snacks each month. For January, Barbara and Carla will be playing bingo with prizes.

Suzanne purchased gifts for all the girls at the house (huge gift bags were on display at our holiday party) and delivered them. She also brought treats to put in their stockings on Christmas morning.

SafeHouse Denver – In the Spirit

Barbara worked directly with SafeHouse to choose a family of three for the adopt-a-family. Alicia, Luis and Noah had very simple requests of clothing, shoes, books and board games. The decorated packages for the family have been delivered. Our club was the first donation received for In the Spirit at the administration building last week.

Lois, Grace, Mary, JoAnn and husband Greg helped with the holiday mailing on November 24 and 25.

Freedom Service Dogs

On December 13, Zonta II members volunteered at the FSD graduation. What an amazing event! The fall graduation was moved to the University of Denver due to the increase of the graduate teams. I think a few of the volunteers would say that even the larger venue for 25 client/dogs was a bit small. Each and every client/dog team that graduated had a wonderful story to tell. As always, I kept my kleenex close. Thanks to the wonderful volunteers giving up a Saturday before the holidays to serve cake and punch. Marie, Deb, Jean worked wonders in a very hot crowded room making sure we had cups filled with cold water before the event started. The Zonta Club of Denver II was mentioned several times in the program. A special thanks goes to Marie and Marie’s friend that donated a bag of goodies to each and every dog that graduated. According to the FSD calendar, it looks like the June graduation is back in Englewood at Hampden Hall.

The Learning Source

The Learning Source celebrated its 50th Anniversary again with a special appreciation party for staff and volunteers on December 9 at the Belmar Learning Center which Mary attended with Bill. A specially designed “bingo” game got everyone meeting each other to identify individuals, including teachers, staff, volunteers and board members. Who has twins? Who raises chickens in the backyard? Congratulations go to the Learning Source for providing education to families over the years!

Florence Crittenton High School

Jean made a donation of $200 on Colorado Gives Day to Flo Crit which will be matched and then used to purchase gifts for the girls. A wrapping party is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, for anyone who would like to volunteer.

Empowerment

Many members chose chidren from the Women With HIV/AIDS Project and bought gifts. Mary delivered the gifts to Empowerment and they will be distributed at their Christmas party on December 16. The kids will open the gifts on Christmas Day in their own homes. Thanks to all who generously participated.

Mariposa House

A TV was purchased for the house and will be delivered for the holiday party for the women on December 16. Volunteers include Deb, Sharon, and Mary.

Advocacy Activities

November was a busy month for the club and those we advocate for in our community. First up was the Zonta Says No Empty Shoes Event on November 8th at The Posner Center for International Development. Tickets, art and generous donations grossed over $16,000 and netted $10,616. One third, $3,439.00 was donated to ZISVAW, which amounted to a credit of each club in the area of $589.79. An additional $1,179.60 was paid to each club as well representing their share of the proceeds.

The figures were almost exactly the same as last year but we had an additional Zonta club participate. Our club participated in every element of the event from procuring art (thank you Sally Anderson and friends and Excelsior girls), attending in strong numbers and buying art at the event. Terri Otley’s client, Pat Kernan, made a generous donation to the event again this year assuring financial success. Four of our service organizations attended including SafeHouse Denver, Empowerment, FloCrit Services and Excelsior. I’m always so amazed at how our club stands up and participates strongly whenever asked!

Thanksgiving was warmly celebrated this year at Our Lady of Mount Carmel with club members and participants in Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap Program. We provided food and drinks and BTG provided decorations and wonderful food bags for the participants. Everyone was encouraged to come to the front and talk about their blessings and from what was said, they are very thankful for the services, friendships and support of the program. Check out the thank you card and pictures.

Thank you so much to everyone who participated with wonderful food. There was abundance of everything, so plenty for everyone to eat and leftovers to take home. We so appreciate Dave Griswold for bringing, serving and helping clean up. Thanks to Chris Kremzar (whom we hope to make a member) for bringing rolls and serving and to sweet Emma who made and delivered green beans even though “she doesn’t cook!” The Church was so gracious to us and supportive of the event.

I kept thinking how thankful I am to know all of you. So much is accomplished with the caring hearts in our club and to all of you who have participated in all our service and advocacy AND fundraising projects this season– THANK YOU!

Submitted by Sharon Faircloth