Soroptimist International of Clear Lake is kicking off the New Year with an array of projects to support the community.
The club continues to distribute gift cards to Valley Fire survivors. More than $18,000 in gift cards and cash donations have been made to the Clear Lake Soroptimists in support of those displaced by the Valley fire.
The brainchild of Soroptimist International Governor Elect Pam Parker, this project is possible through the generosity of Soroptimist clubs all over Northern California and a few individuals.
While most of the donated gift cards come from Soroptimist clubs, a $2,000 cash donation from Jean and Jack Duncan, members of Soroptimist and Rotary clubs in Citrus Heights, arrived with a special request that the money be used to purchase cards from local businesses, in this way supporting businesses as well as those hit hard by the fire. Another cash donation of over $1,100 came from the Oakleaf Rebekah Lodge #74 of Santa Rosa, also to help with the project. These cash donations along with additional gift cards that arrived over the holidays are making it possible to continue distributing gift cards.
Requests for the cards may be made by phone (707-998-1302) or private message on the Soroptimist Facebook page.
On January 28, the club is hosting the annual awards luncheon at Aroma’s Café located on the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College (formerly known as Yuba College) to honor the recipients of two types of Soroptimist awards, Live Your Dream and Ruby. Two Live Your Dream awards of $2,000 each will be given to Lake County women who are primary wage earners working to improve their lives through education.
The Ruby award honors women who make significant contributions to women and girls and their communities. A cash award comes with the honor for distribution to a nonprofit organization selected by the award winner. Recipients will be announced at the awards luncheon.
Tickets are $12. Contact Arlene Grimes at 707-987-2917 to make reservations no later than January 22, 2016.
On March 12, the club’s annual signature fundraiser, the “Spring Fling,” will be held at the Twin Pine Casino Event Center in Middletown. This year’s featured speaker is Sandra Millers-Younger, author of “The Fire Outside My Window,” a true story about California’s epic Cedar Fire and her own narrow escape from a fire that took 2,200 homes, including hers, and many lives. Millers-Younger was featured in a March 2015 NBC Dateline Special: “Escape: The Great California Fire.” She was also recently the featured speaker at the National Association of Foresters.
“Spring Fling” tickets will go on sale in February. In the meantime, to sponsor a table, donate to the fund-raising event or for more information, please contact Brenda Crandall at 707-295-6591 or quik99ta@yahoo.com.
Other projects supported by the Club include, the Nest, a program that provides shelter and support for women with children; the Clothes Closet & Prom Dress project, a program that provides clothing for high school students; and the Mammogram Program, offering free mammograms for women.
New this year, the Club is working with the Lake County Office of Education to sponsor a leadership workshop for girls. Details are being worked out and announcements will be made later in the year.
Soroptimist International of Clear Lake is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. To attend a meeting, become a member, or for more information on any of our projects, please call Soroptimist President Olga Martin Steele at 707-998-1302.
