Soroptimists award $40,000 in grants

Staff Reports

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley gave out more than $40,000 at their fifth annual awards luncheon at the Carson Valley Inn on Oct. 28.

President Alicia Main welcomed more than 39 guests and explained the goals of Soroptimist International, an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who strive to improve the lives of women and children in our community and worldwide.

The funds for all of the grants awarded during the year came from fundraising events sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Carson Valley during the 2007-08 fiscal year. Among the fundraisers are Savor the Flavor food and wine tasting, Carson Valley Days button sales and other projects.

Education chair Carolyn Emr presented grants to:

Douglas County Sheriff's Office youth programs,

Project School Days program providing books for qualifying children,

Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley,

Partnership of Community Resources leadership training for Students Taking On Prevention,

Student Achiever/Student of the Month,

Violet Richardson Award recognition for young women community volunteers,

Women of Opportunity Award, training program for women with primary financial responsibility for their families,

Landis Scholarship Award for two single women to pursue professional degrees.

Environment committee chair Bronwyn Mason presented grants the River Wranglers and Douglas Animal Welfare Group.

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley forms a partnership with the River Wranglers to support Carson River Education Day for Douglas County students on Nov. 18,

Douglas Animal Welfare Group is supported by Soroptimist members in the collection of aluminum cans and ink cartridges for recycling.

Health committee chair Somer Lyons presented grants for:

Health Committee's Scholarship Program for an individual entering the health care field. The club applies for matching grants to give more than one scholarship,

Stroke Cards, to provide funds to print cards with the signs and symptoms of a stroke placed in businesses that provide services to people with risk factors.

Liz Bricker, chair of human rights/status of women/social development/international goodwill and understanding, presented grants to:

Abbey Crossing and Family Support Council in support of the women's shelter for domestic violence victims with an emergency fund for clothing, medical expense and transportation costs,

China Springs/Aurora Pines for the Girls Circle and KIDS Journals programs,

Douglas County TRIAD in support of enhancing the lives of senior citizens,

Douglas County Senior Center-Meals on Wheels to make Christmas a little merrier for seniors,

Carson Valley Community Food Closet to make monthly donations,

Project Santa Claus where members provide gifts to children at Christmas,

Purple Ribbon Coalition which is seven service clubs and the Family Support Council that strive bring an end to domestic violence in Douglas County.

President Alicia Main presented a grant to Pam Graber, executive director of Carson Tahoe Regional Health Care Foundation for Carson Tahoe Cancer Center to support the Soroptimists long-term project, Carson-Tahoe Cancer Center.

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley pledged $100,000, over a five-year period, ending fall 2009. A total of $82,540 has be raised to date, with $17,550 remaining to finish the pledge.