Realtor Patti Camras modeling at a previous Festival of Trees fashion show. Mask added by Robert Murillo.
What could be better than gathering with friends on a pleasant fall day, bidding on amazing silent auction items, buying raffle tickets for great prizes, and enjoying a fabulous luncheon and inspiring fashion show – all for a $95 donation? That great experience is what the Orinda Woman’s Club has been presenting for the past 33 years – its annual fundraising event, The Festival of Trees.
For the first time, The Orinda Woman’s Club will not be holding the indoor festival. In the age of COVID-19, they do not want to jeopardize the safety of their supporters. Instead, they will be “FUNdraising” on-line and virtual. Not to be deterred from supporting their 2020 major beneficiaries, they are finding other ways to raise funds.
Last month, instead of sending invitations to the Festival of Trees, Orinda Woman’s Club members invited their guests to join socially distanced “FUNdraiser” by sending a check with their RSVP or by making a donation by credit card on their website, www.orindawomansclub.org.
Starting Sept. 7, the club will also begin offering an on-line auction (items sold to the highest bidder) and marketplace (set price items) accessed via their website. Holiday trees, wreaths and baskets of goodies will be available, along with items ranging from poster art and professional outdoor photo sessions to antique Mahjong sets, gift cards to local restaurants and stores, designer handbags, wine baskets, handmade quilts, homemade cookies and desserts, and much, much more. Items will be mailed, or larger items will be delivered within 30 miles of Orinda.
Proceeds go to (1) Trinity Center, which helps people who are homeless or living in poverty by providing a day shelter which meets their crucial needs for food, clothing, cleanliness, security, support, communication and healthcare; (2)Diablo Valley College Student Transition and Academic Retention Team (START), which is a Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI), supports program designed to increase access, retention and graduation rates for current or former foster youth at DVC; and (3)The Orinda Woman’s Club Community Service Committee, which donates funds to nonprofit groups locally, nationally and internationally and awards education grants to improve the lives of women, families and those aging out of the foster care system.
The Orinda Woman’s Club will accept donations through November 18. It hopes to present checks to beneficiaries soon thereafter. Fully tax deductible donations in any amount are appreciated and can be sent to Orinda Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 533, Orinda, CA 94563. Donations may be made online at www.orindawomansclub.org. The Orinda Woman’s Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
