L-R:(back row) Toni Marshall, Woman’s Club President, Stephanie Jones, Philanthropy Chair, Jeanne Bonfilio, Cal Vets Retirement Homes, Rev. Michelle Baker-Wright for St. James Food Locker, Nancy Andrews. South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Float Committee, Howard Crawford, Music Director, SP High School, Linda Hess, Founder of Urban Harvester, (front row) Coco Ceja, County USC Medical Centerl,Sheena Idnani, Huntington Hospital Breast Cancer Center, Barbara Eisenstein, Friends of the South Pasadena Nature Park, Not Pictured: Carrie-Ann Lue Sue, Holy Family Giving Bank; and Tanya Ibarra, California Hospital Medical Center Neonatal Department

The spirit of charitable gift giving highlighted the December meeting of  Woman’s Club of South Pasadena. The annual “Spirit of Giving” luncheon program, held at the historic 1913 Clubhouse, culminates a year of philanthropic activities and projects by Club members.

Special guests from the Huntington Hospital Breast Cancer Program, County USC Hospital, and Veterans Centers were on hand to accept donations of items prepared and assembled over the past year. Items include handmade comfort pillows for breast cancer patients, lapghans for wheelchair-bound veterans, hygiene kits with personal sized toiletries for County hospital patients and crocheted caps for hospitalized infants. The Club’s Philanthropy Committee also presented monetary contributions to these and other charitable organizations, including the Holy Family Giving Bank, St James Food Locker, South Pasadena Nature Park, South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Float Committee, Urban Harvester, a local organization that supplies food to homeless shelters and food-insecure people, and to the South Pasadena High School Band. The spirit of giving continues throughout the holiday season when the Woman’s Club donates gift certificates to needy families in the community.

The Woman’s Club, a 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1899 and has a long history of charitable activities and service. In addition to donations to various organizations, they provide scholarships to local high school students; distribute 1000’s of cookies to hospitalized and homeless veterans throughout the year and for “Operation Cookie,” each May. They also volunteer for various community events.

For information on Woman’s Club membership, meetings, and philanthropic projects, call (626) 799-9309 or email [email protected].