Club Anniversaries
eighty Year celebation
Soroptimist International of Eureka marks its 80th year with a party!
(Article in the Times Standard 5/30/2018)
Soroptimist International of Eureka is celebrating its eighth decade of service to the community this year.
“We are 80 years old and are still going strong by improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment,” said Dyann O’Brien, Founder Region District V director and a member of Soroptimist International of Eureka. “We continue to recognize women and girls that have gone far and beyond with their volunteer activities in the community. We still give awards to women that are the primary financial support for their families to obtain the education necessary to improve their employment status.”
With the support of community members and businesses, the organization is also able to assist other local nonprofits and work to increase awareness of women’s issues, in
Soroptimist International of Eureka is celebrating its eighth decade of service to the community this year.
“We are 80 years old and are still going strong by improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment,” said Dyann O’Brien, Founder Region District V director and a member of Soroptimist International of Eureka. “We continue to recognize women and girls that have gone far and beyond with their volunteer activities in the community. We still give awards to women that are the primary financial support for their families to obtain the education necessary to improve their employment status.”
With the support of community members and businesses, the organization is also able to assist other local nonprofits and work to increase awareness of women’s issues, in
addition to giving those scholarships to local women and girls. “In thanks and appreciation to our community, Soroptimist International of Eureka is hosting a birthday celebration to honor those that have supported and funded the programs that have allowed us to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in our community, said Soroptimist International of Eureka President Crystal Hull
In honor of the club’s birthday, Soroptimist International of Eureka recently donated 40 birthday cake kits to Food for People, the food bank for Humboldt County. Soroptimist members will be collecting more cake mix and/or frosting at the June 8 event so they can make another donation.
“For many years,” O’Brien said, “one of our club’s service projects (has been) creating ‘birthday bags’ for Food for People. This birthday bag contains a cake mix, frosting, cake pan, birthday card, candles, birthday decorations, plates and small gift. When a family is in need of food from Food for People, if there is a child’s birthday soon, they get a birthday bag. No child should go without a birthday celebration.” She added: “The items collected from the birthday party will be added to our other items to make a complete bag.”
The first Soroptimist club was formed in 1921 in Oakland by a group of 80 women. Today, Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization, with 74,000 members in over 121 countries and territories, all working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
“Soroptimist is the oldest and largest women’s service organization in the world,” O’Brien said. “We all are changing lives by helping people while having fun.”
Soroptimist International of Eureka — one of 1,275 clubs in North and South America — began serving the community in 1938 after a group of Soroptimist members from Alameda County traveled to Humboldt County to offer a training session. Over the years, many things have remained the same for the organization, though several things have changed. Up until about 20 years ago, for instance, only women in business could be a member and there could not be two of the same business types in a club, O’Brien said.
“Times have changed — anyone can be a Soroptimist today as long as they pay their dues and contribute some way in leadership, fundraising, service projects and/or any special event,” she said.
O’Brien added: “Back in the day, they would ask members to bring one pound of flour and/or one pound of rice to a meeting to give to charity. Over the years, our club has raised more money than ever to support women and girls … We have come up with more creative ways to raise money by hosting spaghetti dinners and raffles, runway fashion shows, women health fairs, craft shows and street fairs and too many more to list.”
To mark the club’s 80th birthday, Soroptimist International of Eureka members have also put together a display of memorabilia that’s featured this month in the Community Case at the Clarke Historical Museum, 240 E St. in Eureka.
In honor of the club’s birthday, Soroptimist International of Eureka recently donated 40 birthday cake kits to Food for People, the food bank for Humboldt County. Soroptimist members will be collecting more cake mix and/or frosting at the June 8 event so they can make another donation.
“For many years,” O’Brien said, “one of our club’s service projects (has been) creating ‘birthday bags’ for Food for People. This birthday bag contains a cake mix, frosting, cake pan, birthday card, candles, birthday decorations, plates and small gift. When a family is in need of food from Food for People, if there is a child’s birthday soon, they get a birthday bag. No child should go without a birthday celebration.” She added: “The items collected from the birthday party will be added to our other items to make a complete bag.”
The first Soroptimist club was formed in 1921 in Oakland by a group of 80 women. Today, Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization, with 74,000 members in over 121 countries and territories, all working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
“Soroptimist is the oldest and largest women’s service organization in the world,” O’Brien said. “We all are changing lives by helping people while having fun.”
Soroptimist International of Eureka — one of 1,275 clubs in North and South America — began serving the community in 1938 after a group of Soroptimist members from Alameda County traveled to Humboldt County to offer a training session. Over the years, many things have remained the same for the organization, though several things have changed. Up until about 20 years ago, for instance, only women in business could be a member and there could not be two of the same business types in a club, O’Brien said.
“Times have changed — anyone can be a Soroptimist today as long as they pay their dues and contribute some way in leadership, fundraising, service projects and/or any special event,” she said.
O’Brien added: “Back in the day, they would ask members to bring one pound of flour and/or one pound of rice to a meeting to give to charity. Over the years, our club has raised more money than ever to support women and girls … We have come up with more creative ways to raise money by hosting spaghetti dinners and raffles, runway fashion shows, women health fairs, craft shows and street fairs and too many more to list.”
To mark the club’s 80th birthday, Soroptimist International of Eureka members have also put together a display of memorabilia that’s featured this month in the Community Case at the Clarke Historical Museum, 240 E St. in Eureka.
