Annual Report 2010

Each year the SDWC reports their accomplishments. In 2010 the SDWC continued their projects to help combat and educate the problems of domestic violence. The SDWC sponsors a residential apartment in a program sponsored by the Ecumenical Council of San Diego called El Nido. It is a confidential and secure location. The apartment is furnished and the resident and children live, work, receive counseling, etc. for up to 18 months. When they leave they may take the furnishings to begin their new life, and the process begins again. $2850 was given in 2010 to this project.

Annually the SDWC hold a Celebrating Women Dinner, each year a recipient is chosen, in 2010 two charities WAR Int. (Women at Risk) and Mary’s House, a home for victims of Human Trafficking were selected. $2100 was spend and given to these charities.

Our Evening Stars Section sponsored a Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Festival to raise funds for the Saint Madeleine Sophie Center, a facility that offers educational and work training programs for adults with physical and mental disabilities. $2000 was raised at this event and $2000 was matched by another donor. Students participated in this event by making decorations and demonstrating paper hat making skills.

Music and music scholarships are a big part of the SDWC. Students perform at several club meetings during the year and at the end an annual scholarship is awarded. Donations are made to many schools and the Balboa Park Organ program for schools. Youth of our community and members benefit, $9300 was released by donations.

Conservation is on the minds of members. We installed double pane windows for energy and sound solutions in our building, donated funds for a community park bench, and held our annual Rummage sale. $5900 was generated and spent in these areas.

Education is not forgotten by SDWC members. Monarch School, UT shoe fund, Scholarships, reading literacy, and libraries are a few projects receiving support of $2700 in 2010.

The youth of San Diego are not forgotten, the Evening Stars section held a St. Patrick’s Day “Luck of the Irish” Casino Day. Raising $1000 for San Diego Youth Services to purchase a new Washer/Dryer for their new building.

Contributions to Salvation Army, Big Sister’s home, Alpha Project, Father Joe’s Shelter, Ronald McDonald’s house, Children’s Hospital, Mama Kitchen and others were given in items and money amounting to over $9000.

The SDWC gave $1220 to the Haiti Earthquake through the Salvation Army and a donation to a school in the Tijuana area.

The SDWC collects, cuts, and mails grocery coupons monthly all year long to the military bases around the world. The value of these coupons exceeded $76,000 in 2011. We receive many thank you letters from the families.

We educate our members and the community with programs on safety, senior abuse, and the Retired Service Volunteer Patrol. We also host an annual Fashion Show, Thanksgiving Day luncheon, Christmas on 3rd Avenue shopping event, ice cream socials, and  monthly card parties, to mention a few.

The major problems for the SDWC are fund raising and membership. We have had to remodel our out of date kitchen and need to air condition, and update the electrical system in our building. Our average age of our membership is 75, so we need to appeal to younger and more able members. We need help, but are very active and willing.