COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Last year, one of our most impactful programs was when Diane Britton told us about the Women’s and Children’s Crisis Shelter. Now the WCCS has reached out to share the news of their upcoming Strength Beyond Silence Gala. All are invited to this fundraiser for a very worthy cause. It will be held on October 2, 2025 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Los Angeles in Norwalk, 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650. You can find more information on the website at https://www.wccshope.org/get-involved/gala/
⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟
Marian Locke shared this heartfelt response to a recent tragedy. “Yesterday, my sister sent me a message that my home church, Mount Olivet Lutheran, in Minneapolis, MN, where I still belong, had the funeral on Sunday at 4 PM for the 8-year-old boy killed in the Catholic school shooting. The two churches are near each other, and both congregations are in disbelief. My church does not have a day school, but little Fletcher Merkel had been to their Cathedral of the Pines camp for the first time this summer on the North Shore. The shooting occurred only a few blocks from where I lived and grew up – a quiet, tree-shaded area where the colors are now changing.”
“The next day: Monday “Words to ponder, no matter what faith, organization, family or individual.”
The Pastor wrote,” one of the things I like about Mount Olivet is that we show up for each other. We are there to celebrate with each other when things are good. We are there to hold onto each other when things are hard. We volunteer because we want to help each other. We give knowing that our gifts are not made to an institution or organization, but to a community. We show up!
That’s what happened yesterday. We showed up for the Merkel family in one of the darkest times you can imagine a family ever experiencing. We showed up for our neighbors and friends of the Annunciation Church and School to walk with them through their grief. We showed up for our larger community to provide support, encouragement, and courage. And we showed up for each other, comforting one another, bearing each other’s burdens.
That’s what we did yesterday. That’s what we do regularly. I am so glad to be a part of this community and so proud of you for showing up. Thank you. “
⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟
Andrea Bellamy has shared these community events you might want to check out.
“Are you a reader? Join us for an informal monthly book exchange and conversation. It’s not a book club, and you aren’t required to bring a book. We meet at Panera Bread, 15629 Whittwood Lane (next to PetSmart), Whittier, on the last Friday of each month, 8:30 -10 AM. Drop by anytime; this is not a GWA-AAUW section and is open to all in the community who enjoy books and coffee. Stop by and bring a friend.”
“Friday Book Chat – Love to read? Looking for a no-pressure book group? Try Friday Book Chat on the first Friday of each month from 10 AM -11 AM at the Whittier Central Library, 7344 Washington Ave. Drop by, no registration required, and no assigned books. You can briefly share what you have been reading, or just listen and learn about some new books. The following month, the Librarian provides a list of the books that were discussed for your reference. This is not a GWA-AAUW section and is open to all in the community.
⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞ ⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟⸟⸞⸟⸟⸞⸟
This section includes community news as well as your personal news, tips, and stories. Send me yours so I can include them in our next newsletter.
Paula Ocampo, Newsletter Editor, pocampo@aol.com