Marina McBride wasn’t exactly looking for a group that offered social opportunities when she checked out a meeting of the Women’s White Rock & South Surrey Probus Club 10 years ago.
“But I thank God I found it,” the South Surrey resident said last week. “I went and I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it.”
The club is for retired and semi-retired businesswomen – there is a separate Probus club for men – who want to maintain a social network of people with similar interests.
Meeting monthly at the White Rock Baptist Church (1657 140 St.) for fellowship, entertainment and education, mini clubs within the group host other gatherings that cover a spectrum of interests – from craft-making and book clubs to theatre outings, poker and travel.
“They had everything,” McBride said. “Lots of activities, and it went along with just absolutely great, wonderful people.”
Part of an international organization, the local women’s Probus group was started by a White Rock resident and currently boasts 100 members.
McBride, who is past-president, said the women also support each other through tough times, including illness and loss.
“When you put a group of women together that like and care about one another, they are always there for one another, no matter what happens,” she said. “That’s what they’ll do.”
Despite the organization’s history – the first clubs were formed in the early 1920s, and there are now more than 4,000 worldwide – McBride said she is always surprised by how few people are aware of it.
“Whenever I mention Probus to people, they look at me blankly, but it’s a huge international group of people,” she said.
Noting March is National Probus Month, McBride encouraged any semi-retired or retired women to join them on the last Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m.
For information, call 604-538-0594; after March 31, call 604-535-6214.