Dana Point Women’s Club Supports Handbags for Hearts, Local Seniors

Close to 50 Dana Point Women’s Club members gathered on a rainy February 1st to support its annual drive benefiting Handbags for Hearts. The philanthropy, headed by DPWC member Lucinda Lambros, provides gently used handbags, stuffed with toiletries and essentials, to vulnerable local women, including mom’s in Orange County United Way’s financial literacy program, Spark Point South OC. Women’s Club President, Kathy Belanger presented a check for $500 to the cause, while DPWC and community members dropped off in-kind donations of handbags and toiletries valued at $4,900. Palisades Elementary, recipients of DPWC’s annual book drive, surprised volunteers by dropping by with 27 beautiful handbags collected by 5th grade PAL (Peer Assistance Leadership) students for the drive.

The meeting opened with a tribute to “dynamic duo“ Mike Wolff and Boyd Childress (spouses of members Monique Wolff and Donna Childress), who have donated countless hours to the popular charity, installing shiplap and a new door in the foyer, replacing door frames, doing drywall repairs, fixing a leaky roof in the storage shed, along with a long list of “honey-do’s” to help improve the 70-year-old building, which has recently had a major facelift, largely thanks to a $35,000 grant from the County Of Orange through Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley. Community House Director Jody Hughes presented the duo with gift certificates to Hogan’s Bait and Tackle shop along with a case of their favorite beer. “ We are enormously grateful to Mike and Boyd”, she said. “ They ‘ve saved us thousands in upgrades and maintenance, allowing us to stretch our renovations grant and make countless improvements to Community House.”

The assembled guests, who included a number of new and potential members welcomed by Second Vice President and Membership Chair Robin Arielle Torres, had fun creating personalized Valentine cards and stuffing chocolate hearts into decorative bags for 60 local seniors registered with the City of Dana Point’s Meals on Wheels and Senior Lunch programs.

There was plenty of time for a fun Valentine raffle and a delicious lunch. Guests enjoyed croissant sandwiches supplied by Kristi’s Catering, along with a fresh strawberry/goat cheese salad and delicious homemade cupcakes, courtesy of Club Treasurer and talented baker, Donna Childress.

Dana Point Women’s Club now has 97 members. It’s updated Community House event venue is available for meeting, party and event rentals by contacting the Community House Director via email or phoning 949-284-6415.