P.E.O. Record
Virginia Chapters "Reach for the Star"
Right in the middle of the city is a small mountain named Mill Mountain. On the top of Mill Mountain stands the largest man-made star in the world.
The first annual "Reach for the Star" walk-a-thon took place on the third Sunday of October, 2009, in Roanoke, Virginia.
Roanoke is a beautiful city nestled in a long, deep valley between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains. Right in the middle of the city is a small mountain named Mill Mountain. On the top of Mill Mountain stands the largest man-made star in the world. Consequently, Roanoke is known as "The Star City of the South." This inspired the idea of the "Reach for the Star" walk-a-thon to benefit our newest project; the STAR Scholarship.
Sisters from Chapters P, Roanoke, and AU, Blacksburg, Virginia, participated by gathering sponsorships and walking to the top of Mill Mountain. There is a live-feed webcam embedded in the big Star, so the sponsors were alerted to check the link to see their walkers waving once the walk was completed! It seemed like a natural event: the P.E.O. Star, our new STAR Scholarship project, and the big Mill Mountain Star! A total of $1,736 was raised for the STAR Scholarship!
This will be an annual event and all sisters who would like to "Reach for the Star" on a beautiful fall afternoon in Roanoke are welcome to join us. The event will be repeated next year on the third Sunday afternoon in October.
Reaching Out to Grow Chapter
Chapter OH, Des Moines, Iowa, held a unique coffee in the home of one of its members last spring. Members invited their daughters and friends who were not P.E.O.s, P.E.O.s from disbanded chapters and friends from other P.E.O. chapters. Their goal was to introduce themselves to women they felt would make great P.E.O.s or who might need a new chapter home. Guests had a chance to ask questions and get a better sense of the Sisterhood and Chapter OH. The atmosphere was relaxed with fun and food, and members mingled with the nine guests and new friendships were formed.
Susan Voss, chapter member and past president of Iowa State Chapter, says the event worked toward their goal of "growing our chapter and the Sisterhood with women from all stages of life and situations who are looking for a group that truly makes a difference."
Purses for Profit
Chapter Q, Montevideo, Minnesota
Chapter Q, Montevideo, Minnesota, held a garage sale last summer with a unique twist. In addition to the regular garage sale items, the chapter set up a special section called “Purses for Profit.” It began by asking members, friends, neighbors, mothers, daughters and sisters to clean out their closets and donate their unused purses. More than 160 bags of all shapes, colors and sizes were collected. Purses were prepared for sale with fancy sales tags and paper stuffing to embellish their presentation. Items were organized on dress racks and shelves and reasonably priced.
The chapter utilized inexpensive advertising in their local paper, on cable television and on radio to publicize the event. The sale of purses alone netted Chapter Q $900. Total sales from the day were $2,400.
Winery Tour Fundraiser
Chapter UJ, Sacramento, California, held a November fundraiser where they sold tickets for a Wine Tour, Tasting and Lunch held at Carvalho Family Winery in Clarksburg, California. John Carvalho, owner of the winery, gave attendees a historical tour of the Old Sugar Mill and explained the process of making wine. Following the tour, guests were treated to a wine tasting and lunch.
Chapter UJ had a profit of over $500 for this event.
Adopt a Soldier
In the spring of 2009, Chapter AH, Denver, Colorado, adopted a soldier through www.adoptaussoldier.org They received the name of Lt. Jennifer Dobberstein who was stationed in Iraq. Lt. Jen is a National Guard member from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dividing into teams, the chapter sent letters, cards filled with cheerful and encouraging thoughts, clippings, lots of prayers and love. They sent monthly packages containing pretzels, drink mixes, Colorado picture books, reading materials, personal items, iTunes gift cards, trail mix and whatever original ideas and surprises each team had. We received amazing notes, cards and emails from Lt. Jen. In October, Lt. Jen returned to the states and, to the chapter’s complete joy, went to Colorado to visit. The chapter held an ice cream party where they presented Jen with a basket of Colorado goodies and more cards. She gave the chapter a flag that had flown over her base in Iraq and a certificate. Chapter president Fran Frey said, "There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Jen will be in the National Guard until at least 2013, so she expects another tour, probably in Afghanistan, and we’ll follow her there. We were told it's OK to talk about P.E.O., and Chapter AH took it all the way to Iraq!"
P.E.O. Day at Lyceum Theatre
Gloria Taylor, Chapter LM, Columbia, Missouri
One day each summer, hundreds of Missouri P.E.O. sisters flood the tiny town of Arrow Rock, Missouri, to attend a performance at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre—a professional regional theatre. This event, called P.E.O Day, provides a good dose of fun and entertainment and was started by Chapter BB, Sedalia, Missouri, 26 years ago. Gloria Taylor, LM, Columbia, Missouri, began assisting with the fundraiser in 2000. In 2001, she single-handedly took on the responsibility of organizing the event and has since taken on this major project each year. Each participating P.E.O. chapter brings cookies and treats for intermission refreshments. One dollar is added to the price of each ticket on P.E.O. Day with the proceeds benefitting Cottey College. Throughout the years, attendees have seen Mame, Oliver, Chicago, Aida, Bye-Bye Birdie, West Side Story and other well-known plays and musicals. Since 2001, this annual event has raised over $2,300 for Cottey College. P.E.O. Day at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre provides sisters throughout Missouri the opportunity to enjoy a great show and socialize with sisters from around the state while contributing to Cottey College.
Benefit Concert
From the left: Robert Honeysucker, Andrea Horner-Semels, Jill Steinle, Austin Haller
Chapter FK, Austin, Texas, held a benefit concert in November 2009, to raise money for P.E.O. projects. The featured performer was baritone Robert Honeysucker who is internationally recognized for his brilliant opera, concert and recital performances. Robert and accompanist Austin Haller earned rave reviews after performing a selection of show tunes, German lieder and spirituals. The concert raised almost $5,000.
Elves in Omaha
Chapter EF, Omaha, Nebraska
Every December two of Omaha Chapter EF's sisters turn into elves and assist in raising money for P.E.O. projects. This past year marked the chapter’s ten year anniversary of holding a Christmas oral auction with items donated by all the members. Since 1999, sisters Jan Falk and Sue Fisher dress as Santa's helpers and auction purchased trinkets and homemade specialty items ranging from cookies and candies, to a ready to fix Italian dinner. This annual event draws the interest of all members, and for five years has raised over $1,600 annually.