2021-2022 Cindy Richards I became president during a second wave of COVID-19 so getting the vaccine was the biggest topic. As of November 2021, San Antonio has low numbers and a low risk for COVID so we are now seeing many more members getting out to our 30+ interest groups, 1st Thursday of month luncheons and 3rd Thursday of the month coffees. Our current membership is 221. We are planning a cruise for 2022 and I cannot wait!!
I would love my legacy to be that we helped the physical and mental health of our members by encouraging outdoor physical activity via new Interest groups such as Pickleball and Hiking during a time when many members were a bit timid to gather indoors. Pickleball was unknown to most in San Antonio at the start of the pandemic and it has exploded!
I started the Blessing Bags Interest Group during the start of the pandemic because volunteer work to help the homeless was halted. We monthly donate Blessing bags of food and hygiene products to our city’s homeless. Newcomers truly love helping their new city and do so in many additional ways through Community Involvement by packing lunches via Mobile Loaves and Fishes, buying toys for our Christmas Toy Drive with SAMMinistries, and filling stockings for our military through Soldiers Angels.
I’ve made so many dear friends since I joined in 2019 and hope to encourage all to do the same. I highly recommend members join the board for at least 1 year!! Its where I’ve become closest to my dearest friends. I’m grateful to our founders and to every past president and their boards as well as all the leaders and members who encourage us to bloom where we are planted!