Soroptimist International Loomis Basin News
February 2021
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Education Awards Empower WomenOur club fundraises throughout the year to provide grants and scholarships that support our mission to help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realize their aspirations and lead their communities worldwide. SI Loomis Basin selected 2021 award winners for Soroptimist International (SI) Live Your Dream Award and Ruby Award as well as Del Oro Scholarship and teacher grants. Below is a brief summary; read more about our impact in the Education Inspires blog post.
Annamarie Coronel, a single mother of a four year old, won the $1000 SI Loomis Basin Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award that celebrates women committed to developing skills through education. She is enrolled in the Testlio Ignite software testing training program as well as online business and accounting courses with support from Acres of Hope.
Marena Feickert, Del Oro High School senior, won the Loomis Soroptimist Community Service Award of $1000. She demonstrated community service leadership through the Del Oro Pool Jump In campaign, Canine Companions for Independence and volunteering at UC Davis Hospital.
Allison Gorman, Project Coordinator, Koinonia Group Home for Teens, was the recipient of the Soroptimist Ruby Award for Women Helping Women. Mechelle Bertolucci-Sanchez, SI Loomis club member, says “With Allison’s insight, our club has been able to make things happen to improve students’ self-worth and their ability to dream of something bigger than their circumstances.”
The club also provided teacher grants for microscopes, Spanish readers, a loom for the makerspace, headphones for kindergartners, standing desk to improve distance learning, and current and classic books for middle school students at local schools including Loomis Basin Charter School, Loomis Grammar School, Penryn Elementary School, Placer Elementary School and Ophir STEAM Academy.
Thanks to the Awards Committee: Cyndie, Karin, Jenny, Sharon and Alaire, as well as the whole club for fundraising to make these awards possible. Tentative plans are being made to host the ceremony on May 19 if COVID restrictions are lifted.
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Your Friends Can Order St. Patrick’s Meal From Us
Craving a St. Patrick's Day meal for your family? Tell your family and friends that they can support the club and enjoy St. Patricks' Day because we'll do the cooking.
Pre-order meals for $15 each and then pick them up at the Blue Goose on March 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each meal includes Corn Beef, cabbage, potatoes, onions and carrots, soda bread & an oatmeal cookie.
Start talking it up with your friends, we'll be getting more details to you shortly. Thanks for Chris and Peggy for spearheading this project. We'll be needing volunteers to help.
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Share Information from Stand Up Placer
What can we do about domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking? “Let others know that they can call Stand Up Placer for help,” according to Chivas Mays, Operations Manager and Fany Aguilera, Human Trafficking Services Coordinator, Stand Up Placer, who presented to our club on February 17.
If you think someone needs help, Stand Up Placer staff can guide you in how to start the conversation with empathy rather than judgement. They explained that victims have to be ready to make the change and Stand Up Placer has many resources, including housing, to support them.
How can we help? Soroptimist of Loomis Basin is collecting items to donate to the Stand Up Placer thrift store. Any domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking survivor can shop at the thrift store for free.
Please contact neighbors, friends, family members, etc. to start gathering items. On March 19th, @ 12:00 we will meet at the Train Depot (outside in front sidewalk area), explained Rae. "We will bring our collected donated items to sort into Accepted Donation Categories," said Rae. "This way when items are dropped off at the Thrift store everything is organized and this helps the thrift store personal. We have a scheduled drop off March 19th @ 3:00 at the thrift store location. As many of us that would like to go to drop off would be wonderful."
- Collect Donations - ask Rae for their flyer, which indicates what is acceptable
- Meet on March 19th, 12 noon to sort donations into acceptable categories.
- Let's make our first collections drive for Stand-Up Placer a Success!
- Their Thrift Shop located at 1740 Santa Clara Dr. Suite 100-C, Roseville, between Hobby Lobby and Ross.
Our members can also start talking about this amazing program to help victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking and sharing this 24 hour helpline 800-575-5352 and Stand Up Placer website.
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Valentines for Koinonia Girls
To let the girls at Koinonia know we're thinking about them, Bev and Shari Lynn put together Valentine's Day gifts. Thanks to Bev who asked her employer, a Carl's Jr. franchise owner, to donate a free meal coupon for each girl. The coupon, a box of conversation hearts and a card were tied up with ribbon and presented to Koinonia. Usually, we’d be delivering the Soroptimist Dream It, Be It career exploration program at this time of year so this effort lets us keep in touch.
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Volunteers Needed - Senior LIFE Center St. Patrick's Meal
 Our club will be cooking the annual St. Patrick's Day meal for the Senior LIFE Center in Loomis on Wednesday, March 17. We will need volunteers in the morning to prep, cook and clean-up. We may also need some volunteers to deliver to home-bound seniors. Contact Jenny to volunteer.
The Senior LIFE Center is also holding a fundraiser with Tahoe Joe's on Thursday, March 25. Buy your tickets on Wednesday 3/3 or 3/17 from 11:30-1:30. Or contact Jim Gilbert at 916/792-5825. Not sure about dine in options at this point, but they do great take out! $20 includes a choice of three steak, chicken or ribs, 2 sides and soup or salad.
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Jackie is running for SIA President-Elect
Our club is so proud of Jackie who is running for president-elect of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA). Jackie has held many positions in our club and in the Sierra Nevada region. She is currently serving a one-year term as secretary/treasurer of the SIA Board of Directors. Read about the amazing candidates who are running to lead SIA as president-elect..
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Member Wins Chamber Award
Congratulations to Toni who was recognized by the Loomis Chamber of Commerce at February 18 Awards Ceremony. Sharla Caves, Chamber and Soroptimist member, presented the Business Hall of Fame award to Toni. “This award is given to a business whose contribution includes, but is not limited to, revenue-generated income for the Loomis Basin, outstanding beautification projects, and professional customer appeal in the Loomis Basin,” said Sharla. “It was with great pleasure that I present edthis award to Toni Zachary of Smithtonian Graphic Design for the creation of the Dine Local/ We Love Loomis marketing campaign during COVID-19. This campaign has been an outstanding benefit to our businesses.”
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Save the Date for SNR Conference
Our club is part of the Sierra Nevada Region which includes clubs in northern California and Nevada. The 46th Annual Region Conference will be held virtually April 29 - May 1, 2021, rather than in Reno. At the conference, policy votes are conducted, clubs are recognized, Live Your Dream winners are showcased, information from Soroptimist International of the Americas is shared and most of all we enjoy the comradery with other Soroptimist members. All club members are encouraged to attend so save these dates. More information will be delivered in March.
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Soroptimist International will be 100 in 2021
On October 3, 2021, clubs will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Soroptimist.
In 1921, women leaders led by President Violet Richardson launched the first Soroptimist Club in California. President Richardson said that she "envisioned it as worldwide and dedicated to all matters of justice and quality of life." Today, her vision has come to life in 121 countries around the world.
The anniversary theme is "Bright Past, Brilliant Future" to encapsulate the respect for and memory of those incredible women who had the foresight and courage to become Soroptimist members and pursue the best for women.
Look for more information on how we’ll be celebrating this year.
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Children’s Books Needed
Thanks to Rae and her husband, our club put up a Little Free Library at the Train Depot.
Now the project is being managed by Karin.
We are in need of children’s and teen books to keep up with the demand.
If you or your friends can donate some books, please contact Karin.
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Support the Targeted Business Fundraiser
Since the club has not been to conduct the It’s in the Bag or Tostado Bingo fundraisers, club member are reaching out to individual businesses, less affected by COVID, and asking for donations. These contributions will allow the club to continue to do good works in the community such as give out education awards, support Koinonia, replace books in the Little Free Library and support the senior LIFE Center. Contact Alaire for materials and information to support this effort.
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Switch to Amazon Smile - An Easy Fundraiser
Encourage your friends and family to switch to Amazon Smile program designating “Soroptimist International of Loomis Basin, CA,” as the recipient to help us raise funds. You use your same Amazon account and it works the same way. You just have to remember to go Smile.Amazon.com when you start shopping or set it as the default. Thanks in advance for supporting the club while you shop. Please contact Alaire if you have any questions about signing up--it doesn't cost you anything.
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Calendar
Our club meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month except in July and August.
March 2021 and beyond
- March 3rd-Business Meeting
- March 17th-Senior LIFE Center St. Patrick's Day lunch--help needed for prep! 9:00-noon
- March 17th-Drive Thru Corned Beef and Cabbage Fundraising Dinner--volunteers needed
- March 19th-Meet at the Train Depot at noon to sort and deliver donations for Stand Up Placer
- SNR Virtual Conference April 30-May 2
- SNR Retreat July 10-11
- SI International Convention in Dublin, Ireland July 27-29, 2023
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Our theme for 2020-21 is "We'll find a way!"
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Websites:
Loomis Basin Club
Sierra Nevada Region
Soroptimist International of the Americas
Facebook: @SILoomis
Instagram: @SILoomis
Officers:
Karen Fraser-Middleton, President
Rae DeGabriel, President-Elect
Shari Lynn Goodwin, Treasurer
Sharon O’Donnell, Secretary
Cyndie Whitefoot, Two-Year Delegate
Sheila Lee, One-Year Delegate
Newsletter editors: Submit your news items to Alaire and Karen.
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Copyright © 2020 Soroptimist International Loomis Basin, All rights reserved.
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