BWC learns about The White Rainbow Project

FALLBROOK – The Bonsall Woman's Club's September meeting normally kicks off the new club year with a special program. It is during this initial meeting, the incoming board, headed by the new president, Peggy Durling, sets the tempo for the coming year. And the updated 2020-2021 yearbooks are usually distributed to the membership. However, COVID restrictions prompted a virtual meeting, so the

special program was presented via video conferencing.

Program chairperson Laurie Criscenti introduced Linda Mandrayar, who started the nonprofit "The White Rainbow Project" to empower widowed women of India with a focus on deconstructing the stigma of widowhood by teaching them sustainable skills. The presentation explained how the widows of India are cast out of society after their husbands die.

The White Rainbow Project helps them earn a living and possibly reenter society as productive members. More information about this interesting and worthwhile project can be found at WhiteRainbowProject.org. Mandrayar is also a new member of the BWC.

The BWC had to find a method for handing out the yearbooks that would not involve the additional cost of mailing. Later in the month they created a "drive through" location in River Village near the La Sala Room. An area was designated where members could pull up curbside, and not only pick up their yearbook, but the yearbook for their "proxy."

Members had the option of entering the La Sala Room as long as they wore a mask and complied with social distancing guidelines. Colorful balloons and signs led the way for the members. In a couple of hours an amazing number of yearbooks were given out.

This unique situation allowed for the members to further take advantage of the opportunity to drop off donations for some of the club's sponsored charities: Critter Causes (dog and cat food, new toys, leashes, clean towels, and flat sheets), Oh Happy Baby (new baby items, gently used baskets or donation checks), and, Operation Gratitude (bags of Halloween candy to give to deployed troops, veterans, and first responders).

The La Sala Room provided an area for membership chair Sydne Gilbert to present a 25-year pin to Cindy Floyd for her dependable hands-on committed service to the club. Floyd is well known for and can be relied on to design and decorate the small Christmas trees raffled at the popular BWC Christmas fundraising event.

All funds raised by the BWC benefit local charities. For more information on BWC, visit bonsallwomansclub.org.

Submitted by the Bonsall Woman's Club.