Soroptimist International of Clear Lake launched a gift card project to support Valley Fire survivors. Valued up to $250 each, most of the cards are generic and can be used where credit cards are accepted. To date, the project has raised more than $10,000 in gift cards. Clear Lake Soroptimists have formed a small committee to review requests and distribute the cards including members Fawn Williams, Wanda Harris and Olga Martin Steele.
The project was the inspiration of Founder Region Governor Elect Pam Parker and fully supported by Governor Bobbi Enderlin, who immediately sent out a call for donations to clubs in the region. According to Clear Lake Club President Olga Martin Steele, when Parker called about the idea, she knew the project was the answer to a lot of prayers.
“At the Moose Lodge and other shelters fire survivors didn’t have enough gas money to get to appointments and there wasn’t enough cash on hand to purchase personal items not being donated,” she said. “Even with all that was being done to help, some needs were not being met and people were suffering.”
Within a few days, the cards began rolling in.
The project started with about $2,000 in gift cards. More cards were expected, but at the October 3 District meeting in Santa Rosa, Clear Lake members were in for a very happy surprise, an additional $8,100 in cards had been collected.
“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house when our club members were called to the stage to receive a Soroptimist bag full of gift cards,” said Steele.
Steele thanked the club members present at the meeting and praised Governor Elect Parker and Governor Enderlin for their leadership. “We’ve all been touched by the devastating nature of the fire. Some of our members were evacuated and we all know someone dear who lost everything. Now, thanks to our Founder Region clubs we can reach out with a little help as fire survivors work through the long and difficult recovery ahead.”
The gift card project will go through June 30, 2016. Several clubs are planning fundraisers and clubs that had not heard about the project until the District meeting promised their support. With word of the project spreading to other clubs and Districts, the Clear Lake club expects to receive more cards in the coming weeks and months.
Before the meeting let out, several hundred dollars more were collected.
“Who knows how many cards we will ultimately receive in this remarkable outpouring of support for our community,” said Steele. “For now, we just want to get the cards in the hands of those in need.”
Soroptimist International includes 120 countries. The Clear Lake club is in Founder Region, a network of six districts and 55 clubs. The organization works to improve the lives of women and girls locally and internationally through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Anyone interested in becoming a member is welcome.
For more information about the gift card project or to find out more about our mission and programs, please contact President Olga Martin Steele at 707-998-1302 or send a private message via the clubs Facebook page, Soroptimist International of Clear Lake.
