She Lives to Give

Connect the Generations
“Helping people is part of my nature. If I’d been another personality,
I’d probably have done something else.”
Peggy Stroud

Peggy Stroud (left) Betsy D'Arca

It takes a heroic effort to move, especially after 20 years in one location. One of San Clemente’s most beloved women is leaving this month to be with her family. I felt a bond with Peggy Stroud right away. We were both packing and in the midst of moving, but I am staying here in San Clemente. Her boxes will travel to Texas. Not all heroes stay around forever. Sometimes they’re off to other adventures.

You build a better community not just through buildings and organizations, but through its people. And Peggy’s specialty is building up people through the organizations she serves.

Peggy started volunteering very young, at age nine or ten. She followed her mother’s lead. Her mother did volunteer work for the Red Cross. Where do I begin to tell you what has she done for San Clemente? Let’s start with one of the organizations she’s been in involved with. One great project at a time.

SOROPTOMISTS
The goal of Soroptomists International is to work for the betterment of women worldwide. Peggy has been a longtime member. She’s held several offices, been President of the club twice, Vice President, and also Director. It was Peggy’s idea to start the Guild at the San Clemente hospital. “I knew other hospitals had a Guild and I brought it up to the Capistrano Bay Club. I suggested we take it on as my Presidential special project. The Club liked the idea, so we did it. The hospital needed all the help they could get. We got them two baby incubators and some heart monitors. We probably have donated at least $100,000.” This is from a group of women that started with about 35 members!

Their current project is helping emancipated women called Hearts to Hands. “We’re putting them through college,” said Peggy. A committee chooses which women to help. “We choose three women each year. Since I’ve been in for 33 years we’ve been able to influence and help a lot of lives,” Peggy stated. Jean Plowright, publicity chair said, “Peggy has a very good mind so she doesn’t get influenced by outside things. She will stay focused and won’t let herself be sidetracked. Her leadership has made our group.”

That’s just one example. Peggy moved on to other organizations who needed her. She is not afraid to venture out. It’s hereditary. Peggy got that adventuresome spirit from her ancestors. She is a direct descendant of famous adventurers. “My relatives were part of the Lewis and Clark expedition.”

LAURA’S HOUSE
Building Laura’s House was her favorite task. Peggy was asked to attend the first town hall meeting. She was on the original board and became the first Vice-Chairperson.

There are thousands of women Laura’s House has been able to serve, women who have become contributing citizens, women who can be proud of themselves. “It’s better for our community to have women who feel good about themselves,” Peggy said. “Initially, they are very traumatized and pretty broken up people with nothing except the clothes on their back and maybe their children with them.”

The women go into Laura’s House and come out with a life. Most of them stay 45 days. By that time, they are ready to face the world and get a job. Or they may go home to a parent or even sometimes to the men who really want to get things straightened out and become a family again.

The important work Peggy did at Laura’s House was with political people like Pete Wilson and his cabinet. Peggy knows how to get money for her projects and was instrumental in raising a $400,000 grant from the State. “I know a lot of people in town and talked to about 15 of them about becoming interested.”

SUSAN G. KOMAN
Peggy was there at the conception of the Susan G. Koman “Race For The Cure.” “There were 10 of us at the very beginning. We checked with the national organization in Dallas, Texas and met with them,” said Peggy. Why did she do it? “I have an interest in getting cancer under control.”

YOUNG PEOPLE“I am interested in making the community a better place,” Peggy states. Has she seen that happen? “I sure have!” she says. “The number of young families coming into San Clemente will keep the town vital and active. I’m very much a young people enthusiast. They need someone to cheer them on and encourage them. It gives them the incentive to go ahead and try things. If they have somebody take an interest in them, they will do a better job. We have so many older people here, (I can say that because I’m one of them!) and we can give so much to the young,” says Peggy.

Alyssa McMannes thinks of her as a grandma. Peggy often attended Alyssa’s softball games. “She came and cheered me on,” Alyssa says. “Did you win?” I asked her. “Yes! Of course.” Probably because Peggy was on her side. “She’s lots of fun to be with,” said Alyssa.

I learned that Peggy is also a sportswomen. It’s in her genes. From horseback riding to waterskiing, she did the real active sports, just like her active life doing volunteer work. She was also an avid duck hunter.” She’s a dead shot,” said Eileen Mauch. So when Peggy takes aim at a project - watch out!

“I’ve always been a very outdoors person. When we lived up in Yucca Valley where my husband had a Ford Dealership, I met a man at a horse race. He was with a group of 16 guys buying a piece of property where they could hunt ducks. They accepted me to be one of the members of the Ramona Duck Club. Right now I’m slowing down mainly because I’m moving.”

WOMEN
Most of the organizations she’s involved with, help women. Peggy gives this advice. “I’m old fashioned. Women are the heart of the family. The husband is the head.” Peggy wants to enlarge that heart.

“If there was a statistic, I really believe that when moms are home, you’ll find happy families.” says Peggy. “I’m not against women working outside the home. In fact, I’ve worked all my life since I was 18. But if mothers do take a job, remember that the kids need attention and regular attention. It’s a mom and dad team effort. Dad needs to give a lot of attention to family also. I don’t care if he says he’s really busy, he can help with the kids too. There is a way to have balance. Decent shelter doesn’t have to be a big house on the hill.”

How does she approach each day? “One thing is that I make an effort every day and wonder what my challenges for the day will be. Not problems, but challenges.” When I asked her for an example, again in that giving spirit of hers, she thought of others first, not herself. She said “When one of my friends is having a bad day or a rough time, I’m there to tell them, that if I can help them, let me know. If I can’t, I’ll say a prayer for them.”

SPIRITUALITY AND PURPOSE“If I didn’t have the spiritual part of my life, I’m sure things would have been much tougher. I believe there is always a way to have things work out if your faith is there. For me there is a thereafter and a God.”

HEROES
Ironically, she lists men as her heroes even though she now focuses mainly on helping women. But those women who benefit from her generosity, will undoubtedly influence many families. Building strong women makes strong families.

“My dad was my hero. If every child could have a father like mine there wouldn’t be an trouble in the world.” She adopted some of her qualities from her dad. “He was understanding and patient. (Sounds like what others have said about Peggy.) He worked in the medical field, so did her mom, which may have led to her work with the Guild at the hospital. She admires generosity. “My second husband, Gene’s generosity was unbelievable.”

Most of the women she helps, do not even know it was Peggy who helped them get a new lease on life. She watches them and she cheers, behind the scenes. “I’ve enjoyed it. That’s why I did it, to be able to influence people a little bit, making them happier.”

There comes a time to know when to pass on the torch. Fortunately, she has touched and influenced thousands of lives, maybe more. Now they should be able to able to take that torch and continue the work here in San Clemente.

She’s a hero to so many people. Sugarland, Texas has no idea what’s in store for them. Peggy lives a life packed with volunteering. The act of giving moves both things and people. Hopefully, Peggy Stroud’s gifts have been lovingly stored in the hearts she has touched here in San Clemente and beyond.

When she gets to Texas what will she do in her new adventure? “I’ll have to look it over back in Sugarland and see where they need something.” I don’t think that will be a problem for her. Jerry Gibbs said, “Peggy said she’s going to arrive in Texas at the right time. Her boots are in style now.”

We’ve been blessed to have had Peggy here for twenty special years. Now Texans will benefit from the heart and hands of this giving lady. Peggy already knows the secret. You can give anywhere.

Let us give a hand to Peggy. After those boxes are unpacked, and Peggy goes deep into that heart of Texas, they are in for a sweet surprise. Elsie White sums it up. “Watch out Texas, here comes Peggy!”

WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM PEGGY

• One Organization Can Help Another Organization
When Peggy was part of the group that started the Susan G. Koman “Race For The Cure,” she used her Soroptomists contacts to “man” the race. There are about 200 other Soroptomists Clubs in the major cities from San Diego to Norwalk. That’s 60 clubs with 20-50 members in each club. “We drew from that membership to do the race. That’s a lot of women together in one place!” said Peggy.

• There is a purpose for your life
“The young ones I see going to church seem to know they have a purpose,” Peggy said. When I asked Peggy her purpose in life, she said it was to be a mentor, to “show someone how to do something.” Her goal is to nurture the connection between generations. “Start at home with the grandchildren and children.”

• Give
“It doesn’t really take that much energy. When I get excited and start talking about a project, others get excited too,” said Peggy. That quiet, caring, beautiful attitude shows us we can all volunteer and contribute to the city and to the lives around us.

• Learn From Other Generations“If each generation would listen to the other generations and respect each other, we would have a pretty perfect world,” says Peggy.

• Don’t Badmouth Anyone“I’ve never heard her say something bad about someone,” said Jean Plowright. That positive influence can uplift the whole group.


• Get Your Friends Involved “It’s been interesting being her friend, because she’s always been involved in so many things. Because she was in all those groups, she got me into all them too,” said Elsie White.

• Give Children What They Need - Attention
You will influence them greatly when you focus on them. It shows them you care. “Let those kids know that mom and dad are there to give them attention,” said Peggy.

• Leave Good Memories
Sometimes you find out a lot about a person by interviewing their friends and co-workers. I found out Peggy was a darn good shot that way, something you would never guess by looking at her. The Soroptomists gave a going away brunch at the Dana Point Yacht Club to honor Peggy. She is both a true lady and a hero. So here they are, a few of the comments from her colleagues.

“She researches and knows her stuff before she speaks up,” said Eileen Mauch. “She’s a very calming influence when people are confused. One time at Soroptomists, we had to sit together and talk about ourselves. I got Peggy, and we talked about the adventure part and the duck hunting. It just blew me away.”

“We all just love her,” Betsy D’Arca, President

“Her greatest quality is her serenity,” Jean Plowright.

“She’s our cheerleader,” says Marla Lund.

“Peggy we’re going to miss you. You’ve been the best and longest Soroptomist I know. Have fun in your new location with your family,” cheered Diane Mathison.

That kind of Soroptomisim just warms your heart.

Terri Marie
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