Soroptimists Grants, June 19

The Soroptimists International of the Coos Bay Area recently awarded over $5000 to local community projects and educational scholarships at their annual awards dinner in Coos Bay. Community recipients of the awards for 2015 included the Maslow Project, Oregon Coast Community Action Share Bear Snack program, the MOMS program at Bay Area Hospital, Camp Millennium, and North Bend and Marshfield High Schools for their clothes closets. The Soroptimists also give awards to individual women and girls based on their community participation and goals. The Violet Richardson Award for outstanding young women aged 14 to 17 engaged in volunteer action in their community was given to Sarah Wall (North Bend High School) and Sierra Yunkherr (Marshfield High School). Karla Sherman received the Live Your Dream award, given to assist a woman head of household in improving her economic status through education or training. Finally, the Professional-Technical Award, to assist a woman in completing a professional or technical program, was awarded to Sonia Garcia, a student at SWOCC. Community member Tracie Skinner was honored as the 2015 “Women Helping Women ‘Ruby’ Award” recipient in recognition of her outstanding work in this community to improve the lives of women and girls through her long and devoted volunteer activity. “We feel really fortunate to be able to give back to our communities through these awards. It makes all our hard work of raising the funding worthwhile” said Cheryl Crockett, president of the club. “People here do such great things, big and small, to make this area a better place for everyone”. These awards are made possible by the Club’s annual fundraisers, to include; theater events and the November Carnation Sale which are generously supported by members of our community. SICBA also stocks the Community Baby Closet at the Newmark Center and collects and assembles backpacks for children that are removed from their homes in emergencies. SICBA is the local chapter of the international women’s womens’ service organization and raises money locally to support projects benefiting women and girls. If you are interested in more information about Soroptimists please visit our Facebook page, email to SICoosBayArea@soroptimist.net, or write to PO Box 654, Coos Bay, OR 97420.