Coffee for Author

Chapter IB of Dillon, Colorado, recently held a coffee featuring Polly Letofsky, author of “3MPH, The Adventures of One Woman’s Walk Around the World.” Polly walked across four continents, more than 14,000 miles in five years, to become the first woman to walk around the world. Her purpose was to raise globalawareness for breast cancer. Polly’s book is filled with adventure, humor and transformational moments, delivering the timely reminder of the difference one person can make. She entertained guests of the coffee with tales of her trip. Refreshments were served and more than $1,500 was raised to support P.E.O. philanthropies.

VIP B&B

The Master’s Golf Tournament every April in Augusta, Georgia, has provided four South Carolina chapters an opportunity to showcase their lovely area. Aiken and North Augusta are 18 or less miles from the Augusta National where the tournament is held. For the week’s activities, the Aiken/North Augusta chapters of B, P, Y, and AI offer VIP bed and breakfast accommodations. The chapters work together to assure placement for as many P.E.O.s and their families as possible. While B&B guests are welcome anytime during the year, Master’s week is special. With dozens of hostesses among the four chapters, the B&B chairmen match guests and hostesses based on interests and needs. Before arriving guests are provided with maps, literature on the area and insider tips to assist with their planning and to ensure an enjoyable stay. South Carolina sisters have made many friends from many states over the years. Some “regulars” have been enjoying the southern hospitality for more than a decade, and each year the four chapters look forward to meeting and assisting sisters and their families who are new to the Masters. These B&Bs have generated more than $15,000 for P.E.O. projects.

Chapter L, Delaware, Holds Benefit Concert

Chapter L, Lewes, Delaware, hosted a benefit concert called “Music Man to Madame Butterfly,” and raised more than $6,000 for P.E.O. projects. Sisters worked for three months in advance, pre-selling tickets and distributing f lyers and posters throughout the community. They wrote ads and articles for local newspapers and provided homemade baked goods that were served during intermission. The musicians presented a program of solos and duets from popular shows such as “The Music Man,” “Chicago,” “The Desert Song,” “Elixir of Love” and “Madame Butterfly” to the delight of all who attended. Through this community event, Chapter L raised awareness of P.E.O. and what we do to help women and their educational endeavors.

Putting Their Best Foot Forward

Since one of our country’s biggest challenges is our health, Chapter Q, Rapid City, South Dakota, decided to meet that challenge by hiking Black Hills. The chapter first biked Rapid City’s bike path, which is more than 17 miles long in one direction. Ten chapter members biked along Rapid Creek and through many city parks. Everyone enjoyed it so much they wanted to try hiking. The hardest decision was choosing which one of the 500 miles of trails to explore. Sixteen women met in the northern hills and hiked the Botanical Trail, through high canyon walls, bur oaks and birch trees. Sisters reveled so much in the fun and benefits of physical fitness that they challenged the chapter to another hike this summer. Fifteen women trekked through shallow caves and crevasses with overhangs, crossed a pristine creek, walked in wildflowers and took in the beauty of fall colors. Chapter Q learned the bonuses of physical activity, enjoyed getting to know each other better and became more aware of the world in their own backyard. All of the money charged for these excursions has gone into the chapter’s P.E.O. projects ways and means fund.

Information Sheet Yields Praise, Donations

The few times a year when chapter RC, Stockton, California, has a program presented by a non-P.E.O., the program committee sees that a brief information sheet is given to that person either prior to or immediately following the program.

The recipients are impressed when they learn more about the role our Philanthropic Educational Organization plays on local, state, national and international levels assisting thousands of women in realizing their educational goals through grants, awards, loans and scholarships.

The sheet includes a short paragraph about P.E.O.’s start in 1869 and its growth.

Two recent presenters returned the gift card received in appreciation for programs and insisted the chapter donate the money to one of projects.

Sister Chapters

You’ve heard of sister cities and sister schools, but have you ever heard of sister chapters? A chapter in Michigan and one in Virginia have taken that creative step and have become sister chapters.

The idea came about as a result of casual conversation. Joyce Darnton, BJ, Williamsburg, Virginia, spends the warmer months at a second home in northwest lower Michigan where she regularly attends meetings and functions of Chapter EM, Suttons Bay. In talking with the president of Michigan’s Chapter EM, Connie Eisenhart, they decided it might be fun to be sister chapters with each other. Connie consulted with EM’s board buddy Marty Walter, and Joyce talked with Dee Jones, Organizer, Virginia State Chapter. Both were very enthusiastic about the concept—two chapters sharing newletters, sharing ideas for fundraisers, programs, social activities, etc.

So the idea was born, accepted well by both chapters and has flourished for more than two years. Both of these chapters are large, and the idea of small groups within the chapter which had operated well for EM was successfully adopted by BJ. The two chapters have also exchanged small gifts at Christmas. Chapter BJ sent Virginia peanuts in the shell one year, and paperwhites as a hope for spring, while Chapter EM sent dried cherries, for which their region is well known. Chapter BJ sent a poem written by one of their published sisters, and this year Chapter EM made a contribution to one of the philanthropies in honor of their special friendship. The chapters also share yearbooks and believe that the idea is one that could be enjoyed by other chapters across the country. Good ideas are meant to be shared, and these sisters cherish the special bond of sharing, created by being sister chapters in P.E.O.