DPWC Celebrates the Season with Charitable Donations

At its December 1st holiday luncheon and membership meeting, Dana Point Woman’s Club members hosted Andrew Fahmy, Executive Director of SparkPoint OC, a financial literacy program sponsored by United Way OC in its effort to prevent homelessness. DPWC Co-President, Betty Hill presented a check for $9,266.81, representing the net proceeds of the philanthropy’s “Cocktails for a Cause” event held in October at the Aventura Sailing Club in Dana Point Harbor. Proceeds included $4,000 in donations made directly to the program by DPWC members.

Members also participated in DPWC's annual Project Angel Tree, which, for the second year, directed gifts to children of SparkPoint families. The Club held a wrapping event on Saturday December 3rd and later dropped off gifts at RH Dana Elementary, the site of the SparkPoint in Dana Point program. DPWC was joined in Project Angel Tree by three other local groups - Monarch Bay Sunrise Rotary Club, the Dana Point Youth Board/City Staff, and Friends of Kathy Belanger (primarily Dana West Yacht Club members). Ms. Belanger is the Co-First Vice President of DPWC. Together, the four groups purchased 121 gifts for children whose parents attended the three month financial literacy program in 2022. SparkPoint operates six locations in Orange County and is planning to add two more in 2023. The program’s goal is to is move struggling families from “surviving to thriving” through proven one-on-one financial counseling and training.

DPWC members enjoyed a lovely Board-sponsored luncheon with cranberry mimosas, plus a bow-making demonstration by Co-President Karin Marsh. According to Ms. Marsh, “This was a wonderful celebration of the camaraderie and good work we share as members of the Woman’s Club."