Not too many people in the South Bay have heard of the Sweetwater Women’s Club. And that’s the way the 60 women in the club like it.
For more than a century, the philanthropic group has been impacting their community from giving high school students scholarships up to $1,000 for college or vocational training to assisting homeless families with finding shelter.
The contributions to the community do not end there. Recently they hosted a baby shower bingo event where the club collected baby shower like gifts for families with newborns.
They also finished hosting a Delightful Decadence event, an annual wine, cheese and chocolate fundraiser with contributions going to the South Bay Domestic Violence Shelter program and recovering military personnel in the San Diego area through the Warrior Foundation. The event raised about $2,200.
“Our goal is to provide help in the community wherever we can,” said Sheri Todus, a 27 year member of the club and the club’s treasurer.
Todus said the women give not for recognition but for the love of changing their community.
“The ladies really feel good about their contribution,” she said. “We try to do it on a very low-key basis so that we don’t expect Thank You’s in return. It’s just a good feeling to help someone along the lines.”
The women meet on the second Thursday of each month at their clubhouse on 3855 Sweetwater Road in Bonita to discuss how they will make the Chula Vista and Bonita communities better. They also rent out their clubhouse for weddings, parties and other events. Money collected from the rent goes back into the community, Todus said.
A staple event for them is their annual Bonita Holidays Home Tour and art/craft show sale. This event raises the most money for the group.
The club is part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and the California Federation of Women’s Club.
“It’s always amazing what women can do when we all come together,” she said.
