What an amazing project for Operation HOPE – North County!
Operation HOPE provides housing and training for homeless families and single women.
This project focused on the families who were quarantined for COVID – which requires 10 days of isolation. Parents were exposed at their jobs, their children were exposed at school, and with the shelter’s strict testing protocols, families had to isolate.
So … What’s a mom to do in her room for 10 days with her kids? with a toddler?
After hearing from the shelter’s Director of Development in January, and about their specific needs, we collected donations from our club members and businesses for 2 months.
“Every time we posted the announcement, members donated again!” enthused the club President.
Our club members met outdoors on a sunny day, wearing smiles and no masks. That was a treat all by itself!
The members unloaded SIX boxes full of donations from the back of the car, sorted and laid the array of donations out on the tables.
Then whoosh! Those donated items just flew off the tables: puzzles, books, playing cards, hair bands, toothbrushes, hotel toiletries, hot cocoa, noodle soup … and a few big-format coloring books.
“The kids would love to get the hotel amenities in those small sizes” so into the bags they went.
“Hairbands -they did ask for them!” And into the bags they went.
“They always need cereal.” We donate those directly to the OH pantry.
The tins of cookies will go to the pantry too – the shelter opens up the pantry on Wednesdays to support their families who have “graduated” and moved out into the community.
Within 30 minutes members packed the donations into bags and the back of the car was full again!
Then, of course – must have a foto op. Members posed with their smiles and the bags to record the accomplishment.
Six boxes of donations became six boxes of filled bags – will it be Easter? Or Christmas? Or Halloween?
A member shared that this project “made me feel more connected to the community and very warmly welcomed by WCV ladies who openly accepted baby Talulah’s attendance at the meeting.” We welcomed a 3-month old baby – will she be part of our next generation of members?
Delivery to the shelter of 53 Buzzing Busy Bags of treats was an occasion for more smiles. “They loved them!” reported the club President.
All are welcome to join the Woman’s Club of Vista, now meeting in person each month. The next club meeting will be April 13.
Donation Day is coming up on May 18 to celebrate the club awarding $12,000 to local non-profits.
Contact wcv2ndvpmembership@gmail.com for meeting dates and membership information.https://www.womansclubofvista.org/
