Soroptimist International of Chico strives to support and promote the ideals and service. Through dedication, vision and innovative ideas, SI Chico is a catalyst for change that addresses the current needs of the community.
Recipients of the club’s fundraising efforts include a wide variety of local individuals and organizations, as well as several international causes that benefit women and children.
Annual fundraising activities are now concentrated into one major community event held in the spring: the Home, Garden and Antique Show. Smaller club fundraisers for family and friends are also held occasionally.
Weekly club meetings center on informative programs and camaraderie, but it’s at the committee level where the real work of a Soroptimist is done—each member’s efforts are pooled into the club’s service activities to make a difference locally and in the world.
75th Anniversary Project
In celebration of the Chico club’s 75th Anniversary, a substantial three-year grant was presented to two organizations for local projects that the club felt best expressed the Soroptimist ideals.
$75,000 award was presented to the Salvation Army for their project of a women’s wing at their Chico Adult Rehabilitation Facility and to the Chico Friends of the Library toward their Discovery and Media Center.
Volunteer Hours
SI Chico members provided volunteer hours and hands on service to the following local organizations and purposes:
- The Work Training Center Thanksgiving Dinner
- The Salvation Army Bell Ringing
- The Northern California Independent Living Services Gift Wrap Booth
- The Chico Science Fair
- Christmas Basket distribution to the elderly residents in assisted living and in homebound situations.
- Adopt-A-Family for Christmas (Christmas gifts)
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
SI Chico purchased a canteen (mobile kitchen) for the Chico Salvation Army as one of their major projects several years ago. The canteen, which bears the Soroptimist logo and our Chico name, has been frequently used locally in Northern California but is currently helping to meet the ongoing national emergency in Texas. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, all available Eastern canteens were assembled there.
When Hurricane Rita struck Beaumont Texas September 26th a call went out to the West. The Red Bluff office of the Salvation Army borrowed the Chico canteen, and it was on site in Beaumont within 48 hours, and is continuing to serve 1800 meals per day to the devastated victims.
Partial list of other service activities:
Donated to the Sacramento River Preservation Trust for completion of a mural on a sound barrier wall in Chico
Helped Las Plumas High School to purchase recycling containers to be used in environmental education program
Purchased seedling trees in logged and bare area through the Penny Pines Reforestation Project (California & Nevada)
Purchased benches in Bidwell Park
Helped sponsor the Chico High School Science Fair
Donated to Chico Friends of the Library for bilingual Asian/English children’s books
Donated to Little Chico Creek School to develop book collection in school library
Sponsored five groups of Chico Unified School District students to attend performances at California State University, Chico
Donated a Power Point projector to a junior high school | Donated to Butte County Independent Livinging Program to aid foster youth
Provided scholarships for Sunshine Kids Bicycle Camp
Donated to Salvation Army Food Pantry
Provided Christmas Baskets for the elderly and homebound in Chico
Supported North Valley Catholic Social Services “Adopt a Family” program and their “Pregnant and Parenting Teens” programs
Donated to Salvation Army’s new drug treatment and rehabilitation center in Chico
Supported a facility for orphans and the elderly in Zambia
Helped refurbish rooms for Chico’s Catalyst safe house for women
Purchased Chico Clipper bus passes for Peg Taylor Center
Provided Camperships to the Ronald McDonald House for children with catastrophic illnesses
Donated to Butte County Search and Rescue for rescue equipment in vehicles
Provided money for Newborn Baby Caps at Enloe Hospital
Donated to Passages Respite Program to pay cost of respite care hours for caregivers
Supported the American Heart Association
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