"I'm so proud of the women working on this for their resourcefulness and resilience," member M'Jeanne Erwin said at the May 18 gathering at Radonich Ranch.

Members of the 40-woman club meet monthly to hear from guest speakers and plan fundraisers. An annual picnic raises most of the money, which is in turn passed on to local charities such as the Loma Prieta schools, volunteer fire and rescue teams, college scholarship funds and a women's crisis center.

Club president Barbara Perry said its history began Jan. 22, 1904.

"At that time, it was called the Friday Night Club," Perry said. "Then in March of 1905 it became the Santa Cruz Mountain Social and Improvement Club."

As that original title implies, the club is more than just a charitable organization.

"In the old days, it was the only way people had a social life," former president Jean Law said. Now, it's a good way for women no longer working or raising children to make some new friends and help local causes.

"People need friends, it's a fact," Law said. "These women care for each other."

While many of the current members have been involved for 10 or 15 years, the longest-standing one is 103-year-old Kate Radonich, who joined in 1930. Other notable past members include Gertrude Mulberry and first club president Sarah B. Smith.

In addition to the monthly meetings, Loma Prieta Club members have formed other subgroups that gather for golf, knitting and a number of other interests.

"It's a unique group of women with a great diversity of backgrounds," Erwin said. "I truly believe that there is not one woman in the group who could not do anything she really wanted to."

Other community members and friends joined the club at the 100th anniversary celebration to honor and support its cause. Laura Bajuk, Los Gatos Museum Association executive director; Henry Castaniada, Loma Prieta Joint Union School District superintendent; and Patti Hughes, former Los Gatos High School vice principal, were among others who braved the rain--light rain, thankfully--to eat lunch, listen to live music and chat with old friends.

Club member Robbie Norman said she has appreciated the companionship of fellow club members, but that the nature of mountain residency tends to breed friendship by necessity.

"During the fire in 1985, we got to know one another very well," she said. "It's strange, but catastrophe seems to draw people together."

Arlene Kruse agreed. "This is a true community," Kruse said. "A real community that raises kids. You know the 'It takes a village' concept? That's true."

Erwin said the club's social function is important, but the assistance to local groups is what really makes it worthwhile.

"There are always members that would like to do an incredible amount of good," she said.

Those kind of people certainly aren't going to let a few raindrops slow them down.