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44 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2026 | Because February is the month of love, it seems appropriate to let everyone know how the Garden Club expresses our love. Although we are a social club and not charity driven, the Garden Club members are very generous about showing our love for our community, Sun Lakes and beyond. Over the course of 2025, our budget designated $2,400 in donations to Beaumont High School Band Booster Club, Banning Senior Center, Sun Lakes Charitable Trust, Veterans Walk, and Penny Pines. Every month members make a donation toward the Penny Pines Project of our local National Forestry Service to replenish damaged forest areas. This year in addition to our budgeted donation of $500, $804.42 in monthly donations was collected from the members for a total of $1,304.42, equating to nearly 12 acres of replanted forest. Non- monetary support in time and items donated were also provided to The Banning Senior Center for their children's Christmas shopping spree, and the Ronald McDonald House that asked for aluminum can pull-tabs and toilet paper. Both organizations were amazed at the enthusiastic response from our members. Every month Sharon Mills collects toiletries that go to the Banning H.E.L.P. Center and eyeglasses that help provide clearer vision for those in need. As a social club, our focus is fun and a love for gardening. Every month we have an interesting guest speaker. In January, Raphael, the owner of Cherry Valley Nursery in Beaumont, was back and in his always entertaining way, educated us on the various and preferred methods of irrigation. If you love orchids and want to learn how to care for them, join us this month. We'll hear all about these glorious plants from Ron Lang, who is well-known for his expertise in this realm. Our membership drive started in January, so if you haven't already, now is the time to become a member or renew your membership for 2026. Membership is only $20 a year. President Barbara Maslowski (951) 845-9741 welcomes your questions. If you have membership questions, please call one of our membership Co-Chairs: Linda Powers (562) 400-0541 or Sherry Case (951)533- 3584. Pat Pennington, (951) 314-9229, is happy to answer vegetable gardening questions. And if you have a fruit tree(s) in need of picking, contact Joy Bailey (951) 845-5540; the produce will go to local charities. Garden Club