Making an Impact

Our Live Your Dream Fashion Show and Silent Auction was a huge success. We had over 100 in attendance, and after expenses our net profit was $8,122! Wow!

One of the most rewarding things about raising money for Soroptimist is the impact the funds we raise have on women and girls in our communities and throughout the world. The following is a exerpt of the message I gave at our fashion show – why we were there:

• Little children dream of sugarplums – especially on Christmas Eve. The single mothers of these little children dream of being able to provide Christmas to their children and still pay their utility bills. Through our Single Moms’ Breakfast with Santa, Salt Lake Soroptimists provide warm clothing and toys to over 100 single moms and over 200 children each year.
• Victims of domestic violence dream of a world where they, and their children, will be safe. Through our Crop ‘til it Stops scrapbooking fundraiser, Salt Lake Soroptimists raised $1700.00 for the Utah Domestic Violence LinkLine – the first contact for domestic violence victims.
• Single women heads-of-household dream of the financial security that an education provides. Through our Women’s Opportunity Award, three women annually are granted cash awards to help them pursue the education that will enable them to support their children.
• Teenage girls – pregnant or with small babies – dream of being able to finish high school, and yes, even to go on to college. Through our Possibilities project with the Horizonte Young Parents Program, Salt Lake Soroptimists provide life skills to these girls and upon graduation will pay for their college books.
• School-age girls in Kenya dream of being able to go to school. Period. Through a recent partnership with Kenya Keys, Salt Lake Soroptimists contributed to the building of a dormitory that will allow 80 girls to go to school.
• Women in war-torn Sierra Leone dream of rebuilding their lives, rebuilding their homes, and providing for their children. Through Soroptimist International’s Project Sierra, Soroptimists all over the world hope to raise 2 million dollars to provide health care, education, small business training, and life skills to these women and children.
• Orphans in Vietnam dream of a caring home where they will be loved and nurtured. Through the Rocky Mountain Region’s support of Children of Peace International, Soroptimists in six western states have built orphanages and schools and continue to provide for women and children in Vietnam.

And WE dream. We dream of making a difference for women and girls. Let’s keep dreaming!