November Coat Drive for the Area Homeless a Success!

With cold weather fast approaching, the Sedona Area Homeless Alliance (SAHA) is in need of clean, gently-used items for the homeless population in the area.  Thanks to our Sedona Women, over 50 coats, as well as blankets, socks and sleeping bags were collected at the November meeting. 

Blanket Bee Fun and Rewarding!

Thirteen Sedona Women gathered on October 25 to craft easy to make, no sew blankets, for children in need.  Led by Kathy Karlic, founder of Words & Warmth, the inspiration for this event, along with Ellen Ferreira and Diane Troianello.  The 25 finished blankets will be distributed by the Old Town Mission in Cottonwood.Giving a child something tangible, cozy, and new in a moment of need provides immediate comfort and inspires hope.  For more information about Words and Warmth, see the website.

Fill the School Supply Closet

Members of Sedona Women and Sedona Kind teamed up to replenish the school supply cabinets at our local schools.  14 women participated starting with breakfast at Cafe Jose, and then shopping at Staples using supply lists provided by the school administrators.  Pam Hollenbach's SUV was loaded with the purchased supplies that were sorted and then delivered to the local schools.  The group all felt it was a fun and rewarding experience.

Oak Creek Clean Up - September 2021

The Sedona Women crew did a wonderful job of cleaning up several sites along Oak Creek in the Canyon. In just three hours we removed 62 pounds of trash from the watershed!

According to Oak Creek Watershed Council director Kalai Kollus, “Of the sites we all visited, Indian Gardens and the Manzanita area had the most trash, especially near the creek. Thanks for helping us record this information in order to support the need for future improvement projects and infrastructure!”  

We celebrated our clean up with lunch after at Indian Gardens on the patio.  Thanks to all who participated.  We look forward to another clean up in the spring.

St. Andrew's Community Dinner - September 2021

The Sedona Women's Club hosted the St. Andrew's Community Dinner on September 27.  Led by Marilyn Bealafeld, TSW volunteers served baked chicken, potato salad, avocado and cherry tomato salad, and homemade apple bars.  The vegetarian option had Eggplant Parmesan for the entree.

Give Sedona Women and two honorary members, Mark and Kevin, prepared and cooked the meals.  A second shift of four Sedona Women packaged the meals and served them to the drive-through guests.  Special thank you to Pat Priore who single handedly washed all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen!  One volunteer went shopping with Marilyn, who led the project.

The event was gratifying and successful as well as an opportunity for Sedona Women members to socialize.

Back to School Supplies for Local Children - August 2021

The Sedona Women collected school supplies to assist local school children who are in need of these back to school items.  Cathleen A. Healy-Baiza, Executive Director of the Food Bank, wrote this in thanks:

“The Second Community Food Bank and I would like to thank you for your GENEROUS school supply drive to assist our local school children.  When the Sedona women are involved in a project they are involved 150%.  Every time we turned around over the past two weeks, another angel was dropping off a bag filled with goodies.  We had so much fun giving a bag to each of our children filled with crayons, markers, highlighters, paper, erasers, pencils and everything else you could think of.  The parents were just as happy as the kiddos.  You ladies removed an additional expense many parents just cannot afford. THANK YOU!”

Hope House - June 2021

TSW went shopping for an Adopt-a-Kitchen for Hope House, a new Sedona shelter for homeless families with children that is projected to open this fall.  There are usually 20-30+ homeless children attending school in the Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District. The goal of Hope House is to provide services, support, temporary housing, meals and transition programs to help homeless families move into permanent housing.  Thanks to great participation by our women over $700 worth of kitchen items were donated!  Hope House was delighted with the results and are using our effort as a model for the other rooms they want "adopted."  

TSW received the following Thank You from Gale Lothrop, Secretary, Hope House Board of Directors.

Dear Sedona Women,

Many thanks to you on behalf of the Hope House of Sedona Board of Directors and future residents. Your adopt-a-kitchen project has been more successful than our wildest dreams. Truly, we did not anticipate getting so many wonderful, useful items. When we open the house, hopefully by late 2021/early 2022, our kitchen will be fully stocked and ready to go with all brand new things. Imagine how good that will make our residents feel. They will feel cared for and valued, two of the things they need most. It will be exciting!

In addition to all the beautiful kitchen items, something else you have done with the adopt-a-kitchen is to set a precedent for others wishing to do a similar thing. Because of hearing about what your group was doing, others are now interested in adopt-a-bath, adopt-a-bedroom, and other kinds of collections. With your generosity, you have motivated others. Our sincerest thanks for taking on Hope House as your project this spring. We are most grateful.

Sincerely,

Gale Lothrop, Secretary, Hope House Board of Directors

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A big Thank You! to the many women & friends who volunteered in March and April to work at the See’s Candy Wagon, St. Andrew’s Community Dinner and the Oak Creek Canyon Clean-up. All were helpful to the community and tons of fun! Special thanks to the leaders of those events, Marilyn Bealfield and her hubby, Mark, and Pam Delay. Without people like this stepping up to lead projects we couldn’t do all the wonderful service projects TSW undertakes!

The Sedona Women and The Sedona Community Food Bank Joined forces again to staff the New See's Candy Wagon for the Fall & Holiday Seasons.

Holiday Cards for Giving Angel Clients -  The Sedona Women  helped  The Giving Angels write and distribute 600 holiday cards to its clientele - area seniors who are at or below poverty level. Because the normal gift bags couldn't be distributed this year, this was one way the Angels brought holiday cheer to its folks. 

The Verde Valley Sanctuary ​-  The Sedona Women helped make this Christmas special for the families living there. The Sanctuary offers a safe haven for victims of family violence and sexual assault, providing shelter, community outreach, legal advocacy and education and prevention.  The administrators gave TSW a list of children’s toys, games, warm clothes & gift cards requests that made the holiday much brighter for the youngest residents.

St. Andrews Dinner October 26th

Forty four clients drove away with smiles on their faces after picking up a fabulous dinner prepared with love by Annette Pettit and her crew. The cute Halloween treat bags were really appreciated.

The October 26 event at St. Andrews was a testament to the dedication of TSW to help our community. Thanks to all who helped.

Oak Creek Watershed Clean Up October 13th 

Our beautiful Oak Creek watershed suffers from all the trash that people discard day after day.  On October 13, Sedona Women met at the Sunset Park parking lot and helped clean up a portion of that watershed fronting Carroll Canyon.

Gifts from Verde Valley Caregivers (VVCG):

​14 Sedona Women Volunteers delivered 240 gift candles to Verde Valley Caregivers' 'Neighbors'  in Sedona and Village of Oak Creek.  The angel candles purchased by VVCG included a note 'Thinking of you' and went to many seniors who have been quarantined for months.  Recipients were very appreciative and our volunteers felt it was a worthwhile experience.  Thank you volunteers!