RitzyToo! August-September 2014 | Page 7

in some cases. Needless to say, shrieks of joy are heard throughout this event. The San Antonio Bead Society was originally formed in September 1991. Peggy Mahan was the clubs first leader – she is shown above (left) with the current President, Sue Charette-Hood (right)! Then, SABS had only 10 bead enthusiast members. Peggy Mahan still regularly attends SABS meetings! Today, SABS has over 100 active members sharing the SABS vision and their beading enthusiasm with each other while actively contributing toward the well being of their local community by practicing a dynamic ‘givers gain’ philosophy. RitzyToo salutes SABS President, Sue Charette-Hood and the entire membership for setting a fine example for all those who love beading! Craft clubs, guilds, and societies have existed for many years. Like SABS, these groups offer many benefits such as companionship with one’s fellow artists and being a part of a community that is set apart by common interests or values. As it is collaborative, a society can enable its members to benefit in ways that would not otherwise be possible on an individual basis. These societies are usually an organized voluntary association of people for social purposes like quilting, needlework, stamp collecting, or beading. The purpose of the San Antonio Bead Society (SABS) is to enrich lives by sharing our enjoyment, knowledge, and appreciation for beads and creative beading techniques in a fun, supportive environment and through member involvement in community service activities. Our current membership enjoys all the social benefits of belonging to our bead society but they most enjoy the opportunity to make and donate jewelry to organizations in our community such as: San Antonio Food Bank “Silent Auction Fund Raiser Event” which feeds the hungry. Pause for Paws “Silent Auction Fund Raiser Event” which rescues abandoned or lost dogs. Child Protective Services “Project Prom Event“ which provides jewelry for youths in foster care to wear to their high school proms. SABS and the Hungry: For the past four years, SABS has donated many pieces of jewelry for the San Antonio Food Bank’s silent auction which has raised hundreds of meals to feed the hungry. Several SABS members attended the silent auction event and observed the bidding excitement. SABS and the Dogs: In early 2014, SABS donated jewelry for the Pause for Paws fund-raiser event and raised over $3000 to be used in the rescue process of abandoned and lost street dogs in our community. SABS members volunteered at this event helping the organizers and ma