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April 3, 2020
- President’s Message: A Smile and a Wave Can Make a Difference
- April 27 Scholarship Recognition Program POSTPONED
- Diapers, Diapers, and More Diapers
- Membership: Looking for Volunteers to be TWOQC Ambassadors
- Community Connections: Organizations in Need
- New & Notable
- Upcoming Programs & Events – Save These Dates (see cancellations & postponements)
President’s Message: A Smile and a Wave Can Make a Difference
I find myself, once again, writing a message to our members that I never would have envisioned three months ago. Like most of you, I have spent the last few weeks reflecting on how fragile life can be and how grateful I am to live in a community of wonderful people. As I walk for my daily exercise I am greeted by people, many of whom I do not know, but who frequently ask, in a genuine manner, if I am doing ok. Yes, I am. Are you?
Are you staying connected to those you love, or even those you may only like a little? Connection keeps us young, healthy, and vibrant. It lessens stress and often gives us purpose. It is not lost on me that The Women Of Quail Creek has spent quite a bit of time recently talking about engaging and connecting with our membership. Who knew how very important those terms, engage and connect, would become.
Connect with each other, my friends. If only for a moment when you sit in your driveway while neighbors pass by on the way to the mailbox. That smile and a wave can make someone else’s day a little more bright.
Postponed: April 27 Scholarship Recognition Program
Even though social distancing is the new norm, technology has preserved the Scholarship Committee’s commitment to screening and interviewing our applicants. Our timeline to select the winners of the Women-In-Transition scholarship remains the same. However, due to school closures, the selection of our high school recipients will be modified based on continuing conversations with school authorities.
Consequently, as we adhere to the extended federal guidelines, the April 27 recognition program is postponed. The Scholarship Committee is working toward a modified recognition program for our scholarship recipients in the Fall.
Stay tuned for further information.
Diapers, Diapers, and more Diapers
How many diapers can a newborn baby use? The 25 National Guard families expecting their first little patriot will soon find out. Let’s show them some support while they are out there on the front lines helping all of us. The military baby shower committee is collecting donations of clothes, diapers, toys, cash or checks for the upcoming baby shower at the Tucson National Guard base. Take advantage of the numerous online baby shopping opportunities! Donations can be left at 475 N Keyes Road. Contact Karen (babyshower@womenqc.com) for more info.
Looking for Volunteers to be TWOQC Ambassadors
Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, TWOQC has 18 new members that have not attended a New Member Welcome Party, have not attended any events, and have not had the ability to meet their fellow members. We want our new members to know they are part of an amazing organization. Please consider being a warm, welcoming voice for them by becoming a TWOQC New Member Ambassador, which is a new component of the Membership Committee.
The first task for the new Ambassadors would be to reach out, from a distance, to any member just to connect, offer any assistance that may be needed, and offer general support and emotional care. While we are in our “shelter in place” status, we want everyone to feel like they have someone they can talk to. A quick message – especially a phone call – can go a long way to help create connection and community.
Once we resume our regular activity schedule, Ambassadors would continue to make new members feel welcomed, get involved, and get to know existing members. Ambassadors would help integrate our new members by:
- Sitting with new members at programs and luncheons
- Calling new members throughout the year
- Engaging new members in upcoming small group activities
If this new volunteer opportunity appeals to you, please contact Barb Hunsinger, Membership Chair, at (425) 780-1565 or membership@womenqc.com.
If you are a member who would like contact with a TWOQC Ambassador let Barb Hunsinger know at membership@womenqc.com.
Connecting With Our Community
During these trying times, we know that many people and organizations are in need. Several of our members have been answering the call for assistance, volunteering, running errands or simply being good listeners.
In this segment of Community Connections we are highlighting the needs of organizations TWOQC has supported in the past. We are also mentioning the unique needs of two organizations that has reached out directly to TWOQC for support. There are literally hundreds of organizations in need of help right now. Those listed are only a few. Choosing to help is a personal decision often based on personal passions. These are some options to consider:
GREEN VALLEY FOOD BANK
Started by TWOQC founder Joy O’Farrell, the Club has historically held two collections per year for the Green Valley Food Bank, one in April, the other at the membership event in October. The Food Bank can use our help now more than ever with contributions of non-perishable foods and monetary donations. You can donate from your home by sending checks payable to Community Food Bank of Southern AZ and mailing it to the Food Bank at 250 Continental Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85614. Online donations can be made at communityfoodbank.org and in the Leave a Comment section indicate TWOQC and for Green Valley/Amado Food Bank.
HOMELESS AND HOSPITALIZED VETERANS
Due to the mandate from Governor Ducey, the VA has asked that Peggy not deliver anything to the hospital until further notice. As you continue to clean those drawers and organize closets if you find summer weight clothing for both men and women, please put them aside for the homeless until this crisis passes. Also needed will be bath and bed linens, kitchen items, large plastic storage boxes and toiletries.
Other LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS to consider
Various organizations in the local area need financial support to stay afloat while income generating activities are on hold or the need has increased because of COVID-19. Check out their websites to make online donations.
Hands of a Friend (for victims of domestic abuse) – handsofafriend.org (Ph. 399-4671)
Sahuarita Food Bank – sahuaritafoodbank.org (Ph. 668-0547)
Youth on Their Own – yoto.org (Ph. 293-1136)
SAN XAVIER HEALTH CARE CENTER
TWOQC received a request for help last week from the San Xavier Health Care Center in Tucson. Patients of the Health Care Center are from the San Xavier reservation. Many of those patients do not have personal transportation to make a trip into town, nor do they have the financial means to purchase items that are needed. Elderly patients are afraid to go out into public for their basic necessities because they do not want to risk their personal health and safety. Chantel Benally, a Social Work Associate at the health care center, has indicated they are in great need of the following:
- hygiene products
- cleaning products
- diapers/wipes
- baby formula
The Health Center is able to receive shipments from Amazon at the following address:
Property and Supply
Attn: Chantel Benally
7900 S J Stock Road
Tucson, AZ 85746
For further information, contact Chantel at:
TONHC San Xavier – Social Work Services
7900 S. J Stock Rd., Tucson, AZ 85746
Office – 295.2599 · Fax – 295.2562
chantel.benally@tonation-nsn.gov
GREATER GREEN VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (GGVCF)
GGVCF has asked for TWOQC’s help to get the word out about the new COVID-19 Impact Fund. This fund has been established to help the many assistance groups (schools, churches, food banks, non-profits, etc) in our GV/Sahuarita area that are trying to help those in need as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. The impact fund will make grants available to assistance groups starting May 1. To make this fund successful, your financial support is needed. For information about the fund, or to make a contribution, consult ggvcf.org/impact_fund.html.
New and Notable
Thanks go to The Valley and the Green Valley News for excellent coverage provided in recent editions of each publication. These articles provide a focus on TWOQC activities and the many charitable efforts of our members.
April is Volunteer Month. Congratulations to Sue Ann Obremski for the recognition she has been given through a spotlight piece in The Valley. If TWOQC had a Volunteer-in-Chief it might just be Sue Ann!
Thanks go also to Ruthy McDermott and Marianne Cobarrubias for their help in creating our uplifting new banner for the FMM. I plan to use this for a while so we can all remember to smile and look forward to our future with TWOQC.
SAVE THESE DATES!
(♦) public event
- (♦) Apr. 27 Scholarships Recognition Program POSTPONED
- (♦) May 9-11 – Honor Flight#30 CANCELLED
- May 18 – 4:30-6PM Mystery Mixer
- (♦) June 6-8 – Honor Flight#31 CANCELLED
- June 29 – (time: TBA) Summer Luncheon
- July 27 – 6:30PM Event TBA
- Aug. 31– 6:30PM Ikebana Floral Arranging
- Sept. 28 – 6:30PM Tumacookery
- Oct. 26 – (time: TBA) Membership Gathering
- Dec. 8 – (time: TBA) Holiday Luncheon
- Check the Online Calendar for additional events, general & committee meetings, events reservation dates, ticket selling dates, & other deadlines (as they become available)
- Programs & Events (topics, locations, dates, & times) are subject to change.
- For questions, contact: programs@womenqc.com
FMM CONTRIBUTORS: Karen B. (baby shower), Marilyn B. (scholarships), Barb H. (membership), and Pat N./Peggy M. (community connections). PUBLISHING TEAM: President, 1st Vice President, and Webmaster.