Soroptimist International of South Whidbey Island is having a fund raising event on Saturday June 19th. The event is called Shred-It and will take place from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at the Trinity Lutheran parking lot in Freeland.

The event is being sponsored by the Whidbey Island Bank and the proceeds will be used for programs and training.

In the age of identity theft shredding documents can be a very good safeguard; plus it frees up space in your home and office.

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community based and international projects that benefit women and girls.

Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.

I have been a South Whidbey Soroptimist for 24 years, and with that have come many close friendships, an increased sense of community, and a lot of FUN!!!  I would recommend becoming a Soroptimist to anyone who cares about their community and likes to have a good time.

You can click on the above photo to view a video on the Soroptimists.

Soroptimist members belong to local clubs, which determine the focus of volunteer work to their communities. Club projects range from renovating domestic violence shelters and providing mammograms to low-income women, to sponsoring self-esteem workshops for teenage girls.

Loosely translated, the word Soroptimist means “best for women.” Soroptimist International of South Whidbey Island is celebrating 25 years of dedication to making sure other women can do their best.

I’m going to highlight a couple of programs so that you can get a better feel for what the Soroptimists are dong on Whidbey Island. One youth program is called Island Girls “Live Their Dreams” Daycamp; you can get to the website for this program by clicking here.

The Heart of a Woman” program  provides heart-screening for hundreds of women in conjunction with Whidbey General Hospital’s Wellness Program, an effort that includes follow-up workshops for those at risk for heart disease.  If you click on the photo of Janie Keilwitz in the above photo you can view a video on the program.

Local Soroptimists also sponsor “Kicking and Screaming,” a self-defense training workshop for girls, as well as having begun the “S Club,” a commnuity service club at South Whidbey High School.

Another program that is high on the pride list for local Soroptimists is the Whidbey Island Share a Home program that began as a focus project for past Soroptimist president Karen Thomas. Here is a link to a post that we did on WISH.

Here is a list of presentations that were made at SISW’s 25th Grants and Awards Dinner at Useless Bay Golf and Country Club, May 6, 2010.

Scholarships:

Violet Richardson Award – presented to a young woman between the ages of 14 and 17 who through her volunteer efforts is committed to making the world a better place.

Our recipient was Michelle Young from South Whidbey H.S. who’s record of community service is exceptional, not only in our own community but also in the world community.  She has worked in Botswana with the Tshebe Outreach Project to reduce the effects of HIV/AIDS which she has documented in her own video.  In addition, Michelle has volunteered at Hammond House, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity and other community organizations.  Michelle was also selected over 74 applicants for the SIA Violet Ricardson Regional Award which was presented to her at the Regional Conference in Anchorage, Alaska for her exemplary volunteer activity.  She received a $500 Soroptimist club award along with $500 for her chosen charity and a $1000 award from SIA Region.  The award was presented by Soroptimist District Director, Lynn Bangston.

Mary Broderick Scholarship – named for the first SISW president, this $500 scholarship is given to South Whidbey H.S. students who’ve been members of the Soroptimist sponsored S-Club for 2 years.  The recipient must have plans to attend college or vocational school and have a 3.0 grade point average or better.  They must also document completion of 200 hours of community service, with 50 of those hours on S-club related projects.

Our recipients were Michelle Young (Pres. of S-Club), Katie Holt, and Natasha Kamps.  The awards were presented by former SISWclub president and S-Club advisor, Claudia Cox.

Professional/Technical Award – this $1000 award is granted to a high school student who will be enrolling in a community college or technical school and is seeking a professional or technical certificate.  Former club president Pam Bickel presented this award to Alexaundrea Soli, a graduating senior at Bayview H.S., who received impressive recommendations from her teachers and advisors.

Women’s Opportunity Award – is a signature program of SIA and was established in 1972 to assist women with primary education necessary to improve their employment status and standard of living for themselves and their family.  SIA gives more than $1 million each year to women who qualify for these awards in 19 different countries.  The award of $1000 can be used for any costs associated with educational efforts, including tuition, books, educational tools, child care and transportation.

A highly qualified applicant was chosen from the SIA Region.  The award was given to Mitzi Racine, Project Coordinator at the Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center in Billings, Montana where she works to empower tribal partners in developing public health services. She is, in addition, the sole provider for her three children.

Ruby Award for Women Helping Women – named for the SIA founder of this program honors women who, through their professional or personal efforts make extraordinary differences in the lives of women and girls.

This honorary award was presented to Wendi Barker by SISW president Gail Pierce.

Dorothy Cleveland Award – is given to honor an exceptional club member who’s made substantial contributions to improve the lives of women and girls in their professional or personal commitments.

SISW 2009 recipient, Joan Caldwell, presented the award to Kathy Habel who’s been a community volunteer for many years.  Besides serving as president for two terms, Kathy has served on the boards and volunteered with the Greenbank Farm, Good Cheer, South Whidbey Schools Readiness to Learn project, the American Cancer Society, WISH, Island Girls Day Camp, the Soroptimist International Human Trafficking awareness program, among others.

Good Cheer!