SPRINGTIME - SOROPTIMISTS BLOOM!

AREA MEETING

This year the meeting is in White Salmon, Washington on Saturday April 5, 2014 from 10am - 3pm.  Raffle drawing for the benefit of Programs for Peaceful Living (domestic & sexual abuse prevention provider).  Bring a donation of women's sanitary products, disposable diapers, toothbrushes, personal care items would be greatly appreciated.  Meeting fee is $14 per person.  Raffle prizes include Gorge Goodies and Wine basket and a nights stay at the White Salmon Inn.  See Heidi for tickets and additional details.

WINE TASTING EVENT

Our newest fund raising event for 2014 is coming up March 16, from 2 - 5 pm.  Are you a wine connoisseur or someone who likes a glass of wine once in awhile?

No matter your level of wine appreciation, you will enjoy tasting the large variety of wines made from Oregon vineyards.  Experts will be on hand to explain all about the kinds of wine, how they are created and why they have distinctive tastes.

St. Johns Cellars will present Chardonay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Merlot, Marechal Foch, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Blanc wines.

Tickets are $20 which includes complimentary appetizers and your choice of 5 wine tastings - or - a glass of wine.  St. Johns Cellars are at 6635 N. Baltimore, #102

See the flyer for this event on the pages list to the right.   

CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our members enjoyed a wonderful evening at Heidi's home. The annual Christmas Party for members continues to get better each and every year!  The club purchased a ham and members brought many different dishes to sample. Our hostess provided liquid refreshments and a warm inviting home to enjoy ourselves.  Part of the evening was a voluntary gift exchange which included a game of passing the wrapped gifts back and forth.  In the picture we have completed the swapping of packages and are opening them to be surprised by what can be had for under $10.

HOT CHOCOLATE OR COFFEE?

Again this year, SIPN Members were in the "hospitality booth" at the Optimist Christmas Tree Lot dispensing smiles, hot chocolate and coffee.  Tree customers were happy to get a free cup of their choice to enjoy while selecting a fresh cut tree for their home or business.

Club members, Joe, Evie, Kathy and Margaret are seen here at the change of shifts.  Other members volunteering their time this year to earn money for the club were; Carole, Kristine, Babs, Tina, Leslie and Faye

Thanks to all our great helpers for their personal efforts and willingness to get out of their comfort zone to brave some of the freezing weather that made hot coffee and chocolate so appealing!

DECEMBER FUND RAISING AND ACTIVIES

Members have been great in supporting our biggest fund raiser of the year - Wreath & Greenery Sale.  A number of helpful suggestions went to members this year to maximize our efforts on this project. 

This is one project where every member can help out by just buying a wreath or basket for their own personal use.   

The fun started with the delivery of 260 items by Ms. Engle of Engel's Evergreens.  As the photo above shows, the truck was nearly half full with just our order.  

Fortunately on the day of the delivery help was on hand to move the items from the truck to the staging area in President Evie's back yard.  Granddaughter Desi took several loads to the destination at the "studio plaza" for members to pick up their orders.

Babs has plans to be our top seller next year, but for this year our top three member sellers were:

President Evie (90+)
Member Babs (30+)
Vice President Carole  (30+)

Thank You! to all the members who took part in our biggest annual fund raiser and made it successful!  When everyone helps out it makes a big project much easier.

SUPPORTING MEALS ON WHEELS

SIPN supports the Meals on Wheels program in N. Portland by member volunteers driving meals to seniors and shut-ins every Tuesday.  

Vice President Carole has been closely involved with this effort for several years.  As with many other programs, funding is always a challenge and MOW is no different.  

To raise money for the local operation a Spaghetti Dinner fund raiser was held at the center.  Several of our SIPN members supported the dinner as shown here.  

NOVEMBER NEWS

Have a look at the Friendship Link page to see the letter, at the bottom of the page, we received from our friends in Toyama, Japan.  They included pictures of their recent concert fund raiser that made possible a project of renovating two pianos that were given to a school, in the disaster area.

Our Wreath and Greenery fund raiser has ended with a total of 236 pieces being sold this year!  Items will be delivered to the my house on November 25th for members to pick up and distribute to their individual customers.  

The Silpada Party hosted by Margaret was a success as members and friends chose fashion jewelry while enjoying light refreshments.  Thanks to each of you that supported this fund raiser!

Your support of these activities are the reason we can fund the club's outreach programs to the many needy and deserving women and girls in our community. 

Thanks SIPN Members for all your hard work in these fund raisers, and your individual club tasks, over the past few months. Working together we will make a difference!

 - President Evie