there is a peculiar magic.....

"There is a peculiar magic that reveals rewarding aspects of ourselves...."

June 28, 2012

Good morning, dear Members -

It has only been 10 days since our last membership meeting but I have much news to share . But first -

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

• July 10: Pillow sewing @ Thora's RSVP
• July 24-25: RWH @ Iron gate, Belmont
• Aug. 14: Pillow sewing @Thora's RSVP
• Aug. 27-28: RWH @ Scott's, Palo Alto
• Sept. 11: Pillow sewing @ Thora's RSVP
• Sept. 18: General Meeting at Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto 1-3:00pm
• Sept 24-25: RWH @ Mandarin Gourmet, Palo Alto
• (Because our busiest fund raising events and special membership events are approaching, the board has chosen to schedule our Tour of the incredible LPCH Simulation-Based Training Center for next year.)

Many thanks to all who attended our June membership meeting in the lovely Oak Room at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center in Menlo Park.  Sharon Brugos is our sponsor once again for our delightful Membership Tea in the spacious, sunlit Sequoia Room on October 16th.

Additional thank you's to all who brought in kits and toiletries for our Teen Van Project.  Nancy Bronstein and Deborah Potash have organized this project so well that it could become one on which all the auxiliaries could work together.  The photo below was taken on May 22, when Deborah happily delivered 24 kits to Dr. Ammerman.  Needless to say - he was thrilled to receive them.

At our last membership meeting another possible all-auxiliaries' project was discussed. The Food Pantry project is an incredibly worthwhile and needed service for the families and children while they are hospitalized for a significant length of time. This is still in the planning stages and I will share news as it develops. 

At the June meeting, 23 people signed the attendance sheet and all 23 people either told me they would help or signed up to help at least once a year with the Food Pantry project. Because we are all so busy with existing projects this unanimous response is quite significant. It shows how large the PAA hearts are.  I believe there is a peculiar magic that reveals rewarding aspects of ourselves that we encounter when volunteering our time for needy children.  The boundaries between "I am too busy, can't possibly do anything else" and "needy children need my help" dissolve and we end up helping needy children. I am so proud of PAA. As the plans unfold for this project and you all learn more about it, there will be opportunity for others to join in helping.

THIS AND THAT:

Marlene Bollhoffer and her committee thank all who continue to support RwH.  Help is still needed in publicizing this project beyond just our members.  Please call Marlene or contact Deborah Potash if you can help hostess at the restaurants, stuff envelopes, fold flyers or drop off flyers at different locations in your area (i.e. libraries.) Draeger's Market will have our ad placed on their grocery bags during the months of July, August and September.  

Sharon Brugos  asks that we continue to make boutique items for our Dec. 1 Holiday Boutique table sales at Allied Arts Guild. Give hand-made items to Sharon and jewelry items to Deborah Potash.  Marilyn Rogers has begun plans for American Girl with a meeting on May 25  at her home.  Directories were distributed at the June meeting and members took some to deliver to those who were not present.  Thus, saving the expense of mailings.
Regarding Cookbook sales, Luisa is contacting all our existing wholesale accounts letting them know that we will not be reprinting our book and that now is the time to purchase remaining books.  If any of you wish to purchase books for future use please contact the office. Special prices are being offered to our members.

NEWS OF OUR SISTER AUXILIARIES:


- Did you know that Charter Auxiliary, Roth Auxiliary and San Mateo-Burlingame Auxiliary have co-presidents?
- Roth Auxiliary's artist member will be at the Packard Gift shop on July 11, August 9 and September 12 between 10am and 3pm for complimentary gift personalization when you purchase an item of $10 or more.
- Charter's next rummage sales will be on July 20 and 21, August 17 and 18 and September 21 and 22.

More Fall "Sister" news will be posted in subsequent Blogs. Thus, we will know how we can support each other's fundraising efforts.  We have been fortunate that there are those "Sisters"who attend our Restaurants with Heart offerings.

HAVE YOU HEARD:

• Malkah Carothers is now worth her weight in gold.  She is sporting a new titanium knee and will be dancing to our next membership meeting!
• We had a tiny visiting "dignitary"who came to hear Dr. Hartman speak - Sarah Beetem's first grandchild: Natalie Elise Brush born April 11th.
• September 6, 2012 LPCH expansion project will have it's ground breaking ceremony, by invitation only to community members and auxiliaries.
• At her last dental appointment Stephanie Beach spoke with the hygienist about our Teen Van project for LPCH and asked if she might donate some toothpaste and dental floss to PAA for the kits. Stephanie came away with 24 tubes of Colgate toothpaste and 72 mint flavored dental floss containers. The hygienist offered that if we need a silent auction item they would donate an electric toothbrush.  How about that! Many thanks to the Mckenna Family Dentistry in Palo Alto. 
• Nancy Bronstein also spoke about our Teen Van Kits project to the manager of Walgreens in San Francisco and came home with thirty plus emergency kits.  Many thanks to the Clement Street Walgreens. Bravo Nancy!

JULY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Nancy Dusthimer
Joanne Rutter
Barbara Sheldon
Marzette Woods
Shirlee Stites
Marlene Bollhoffer
Margaret Robinson

There is more to talk about which I will share with you in the next blog.  Please send me your news, your ideas and suggestions.  I always want to hear from you. Until then, dear Members, thank you for all that you do and continue to do.

Luisa