Challah for Gaza, mouth-off monologues, and postcards and pizza

Tucson Branch members. Courtesy Deborah Livingston.

Tucson, Des Moines, and Detroit Branches hold novel events to raise funds—and awareness.

Challah for Gaza
By Deborah Livingston, co-chair, Tucson WILPF

On Sunday, March 19, the Tucson Branch of the Woman’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the Tucson Raging Grannies hosted “Challah for Gaza and All of Palestine,” their ninth annual fundraiser for the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). All proceeds from the event, which was held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Tucson and which included a French toast brunch, go to MECA, an organization which organizes medical aid and emergency food relief for children and families in Palestine. The Tucson fundraiser supported MECA’s Maia Project, which builds water purification systems for the children and families of Palestine.

Learn more about MECA and the Maia Project

March Monologues
By Jan Corderman, Des Moines Branch

After enjoying homemade soup and all the trimmings, Des Moines members sat back and enjoyed “One-Minute Mouth-Off Political Monologues,” many of which were written by the member who presented the monologue. Subjects ranged from our new rogue state under a rogue president, corruption scandals, the big business of prisons, and the fight for $15. Members also perused silent auction items and raised close to $500 for our branch.

Our Fab Auction Organizer Joan Engler, the great cooks, and our Amazing Director Valerie Vivian delivered a great evening!

Postcards and Pizza Party
By Laura Dewey, Detroit Branch

The Detroit Branch held a “Postcards and Pizza Party” on February 13, as a follow-up to the Women’s March on Washington. Over 55 people gathered at the Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery in downtown Detroit and wrote 237 postcards to their US senators and representatives and state officials. While writing postcards on a variety of concerns, the participants heard about upcoming lobbying events and socialized and networked over pizza. A nearby pizzeria owner and immigrant donated several pizzas for the event.

Many attendees were protesters who traveled to Washington, DC, on two buses organized by the Detroit Branch with two other groups. Some had never been politically active before but are galvanized by the election and eager to do more. They were excited to be among like-minded people wanting to resist the new administration.
 

Inset photo 1: March Monologues. Credit: Mike Delaney.
Inset photo 2: Postcards and Pizza in Detroit. Courtesy Laura Dewey.