President ’ s Message
Alone we can do so little ; together we can do so much .
– Helen Keller
The year ’ s end is always marked by a flurry of activity as we celebrate Thanksgiving with our AWCH family and friends , don festive clothes for our Holiday Party , and bake cookies for our annual Cookie Exchange … not to mention planning family gettogethers and making travel plans for the season . And these club events were only the frosting on top of an especially active fall season , as so many members were inspired to share and support their favorite place , hobby , interest , or charity by organizing events . A big thank-you to you all ! Please enjoy the photos of these many activities in this issue .
It is also a time to think about the past year : What have we accomplished ? Where are we going ? As my presidency comes to an end , these thoughts are especially relevant . A friend of mine recently asked , “ What have you learned over the past two years ?” I was at first puzzled by the question , and my response was a shrug of the shoulders . I could only think of my own personal frustrations at seeing the boundaries of what I alone could do — limits that I have known before . But it did not take me long to realize that I HAD learned much more , and that is how important , how valuable , and how special our club is … I mean , YOU all are !
Together we have continued to build , shape , and expand a club that is rich in its diversity , its warmth , its support . In the last two years we have transitioned from “ sheltering in place ” to an outgoing membership that just can ’ t seem to
Nicola and I learning the secret to making wontons from Stella . Photo courtesy of Stella Kwong-Reichmann
get enough . We missed that warmth , we missed that support . Our calendar has been full , our attendance rates high , and our fundraising events have hit record heights . Together we can move mountains .
Have we accomplished what we wanted ? Jein . There is still much we want to do , more people we want to help , more issues we want to change . There remains much to do — but we are moving forward .
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the fabulous women who have worked together with me this year on the board . It is through your energy , ideas , and stamina that we can now close the books on a successful year . But the board also cannot achieve anything without the support and dedication of the MANY who do so much “ behind the scenes ”— to you , also , a very sincere thank you .
Yes , I have learned how special AWCH and its members are . With best wishes for a joyous holiday season !
— Carol Harbers
4 AWCH Currents Winter Edition