Soroptimist International of Sequim • Programs we Sponsor

Medical Loan Closet | VIP Luncheon | Kids Kloset
Salvation Army Bell Ringing |
Rose House | Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign

MEDICAL LOAN CLOSET

One of the many ways SI Sequim is Making A Difference is through our Medical Loan Closet. We loan new and used medical equipment to those in need. The medical equipment is free of charge to whoever needs it, however donations are welcome.

When the need for medical equipment arises finding and getting the equipment may be only one of the challenges the person is facing. Sometimes the need is for a short time – perhaps an ankle was broken or sprained and crutches are needed. Instead of purchasing the crutches, that person could get them from SI Sequim’s Medical Loan Closet. Sometimes the need is for a longer period of time – perhaps someone has broken a hip and a wheelchair is needed.

Obtaining medical equipment through the Medical Loan Closet also helps relieve the financial burden on an individual and family. It would be difficult to count the number of people the SI Sequim Medical Loan Closet has helped. What a joy to be a part of that healing!

Members of the community can be a part of it too. For example, if the person mentioned above had purchased the crutches, they could then be donated to the Medical Loan Closet after the person had recuperated – giving someone else the chance to walk.

The monies we receive – through direct donations and through our various fundraisers – are used for purchase of new and used equipment and to pay for rental of the facility that houses our equipment.

Marcia Beggs lovingly handled the Medical Loan Closet for years. Her dedication and service is a symbol of what SI Sequim is all about. At times, Marcia had been known to receive six calls a day. Our Medical Loan Committee members are ready to help. Just call us at 360-504-0231.

The Medical Loan Committee is "on call" to provide assistance when the need arises.
SI Sequim
PO Box 126
Sequim, WA 98382
360-504-0231

VIP LUNCHEON

One might think that a town in the Great Northwest (USA) would have all the water it needs. The truth is, irrigation is necessary to keep our crops and animals (and ourselves) nurtured and growing. Irrigation is so important that for the last 113 years Sequim has celebrated the blessings of irrigation by having a Festival.

Over the first two weeks of May there are many functions and special events scheduled including a Parade. Local young women transform from mere high school students into the Irrigation Festival Queen and her Court. They trade in their baggie jeans and sweatshirts and clunky shoes – or whatever the current fashion is – for fancy dresses and often, special hairdos.

Sequim Float 2007	Sequim Royalty 2007

Royalty from other towns are invited to join our festivities. SI Sequim plays an important role here. For many years SI Sequim has sponsored the VIP Luncheon. We provide food and drink, shelter and a place for local and visiting royalty (family and visitors) to get ready for the Parade. Last year Key Bank became the Luncheon setting. The VIP Luncheon is just one more way we work together to Make A Difference.

Some Soroptimist Workers of Sequim

RINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS

One way we participate in the community is through bell ringing over the holidays. One Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas members of the club ring bells for the Salvation Army. It is a good way to give back to the community while getting to know sister Soroptimists.

THE STORY OF ROSE HOUSE
ROSE HOUSE – (Healthy Families of Clallam County) is a century-old treasure renovated to serve as a safe and supportive transitional home for women and children escaping domestic violence – and moving toward a peaceful independence. Healthy Families is a tax-exempt, non-profit United Way agency that is our community's primary provider of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse prevention and treatment, and chemical dependency services. In 1992 the City of Port Angeles purchased the two houses located on the corner of 5th and Peabody with the intention of removing them to expand parking for the Vern Burton Community Convention Center. One of these homes, The Crumb house, had a rich history as a family home and as the first location of Hospice. A Transition House had long been the personal dream of Laurey Hansen-Carl. Thanks to the efforts of three Soroptimist Clubs (Soroptimist International of Sequim, Soroptimist International of Port Angeles, and Soroptimist International of Port Angeles – Jet Set) her dream became a reality when the newly renovated Crumb house opened as the Rose House on September 10, 1995. These three clubs initiated an extraordinary and unprecedented collaborative effort to complete the Rose House project with the help of the community. These three clubs worked tirelessly and with great enthusiasm in order to give women and children a place to live that will help them grow into responsible citizens in a nurturing environment. The members are so involved in the community that they were able to enlist the help of other organizations and individuals. Many times, the necessary help came from one of the members knowing someone else. The success is that the home now houses families. Children are living in a home that is safe and wonderful. Mothers are going to school, are working, are learning to budget, how to be a responsible and caring parent, manage their anger, and to be a part of the community.
THE ROSE HOUSE DINING ROOM SI/Sequim - Club members contributed $3,400 "seed money" to assist Laurey in her funding quest, so that what was to become Healthy Families could indeed be a reality. They sponsored the complete furnishings of the dining room. The SI members earned the funds from various fund raisers - they had a barn dance, a lottery, and sold advertising for their community's annual festival brochure. The members themselves spent in excess of 100 hours on this project. They also spent an additional $3,000 on furnishings for the dining room from the club service budget. This $3,000 figure is quite deceiving because the furnishings are worth more than three times that amount. The Soroptimists are good shoppers. The members were out in the community getting "deals" on the purchased items, and because of their continuing association with the community, people cheerfully donated services and furnishings - from designers and florists to wallpaper hangers.
THE ROSE HOUSE BEDROOMS SI PORT ANGELES – One member was able to obtain the serves of a painter who painted a most beautiful mural in their adopted room – a bedroom – and other paintings throughout the house. Members donated over $1,000 from their service budget and, as with the Sequim Club, were able to secure another $1,500 in donated furnishings because of their continuing involvement throughout the Port Angeles community. The time spent by SI of Port Angeles was in excess of 150 hours. Their fund-raiser was the sale of a coupon book, "The Elegant Gourmet" offering discounts on meals and services throughout the county. and other paintings throughout the house. SI PORT ANGELES – JET SET –They sponsored the complete furnishings for one of the bedrooms. These members donated over $2,500 from their service budget, and also were able to secure another $1,500 in donated furnishings. This club spent over 75 hours painting, wallpapering, decorating, making floral arrangements, and purchasing furniture. Their fundraisers were a salmon bake, a garage sale, a cookbook sale and a concessions stand at an athletic event. <Back to Top>

KIDS KLOSET

Imagine, if you will, that you are a child who has been put into a foster home unexpectedly. All you have are the clothes you are wearing.

The reasons why you are in this new environment are confusing and emotional. You want to fit in. You want to be loved. You want something normal. Now imagine that you are taken to a place where you can pick out an outfit to wear. It is YOUR decision. YOU get to choose. It can be a step in the direction to a normal life.

The Foster Parents Association has a local exchange closet which provides clothing for boys and girls sizes 4-16. The clothing is available at no charge to foster children (and foster parents). How is the Foster Parent Exchange Closet possible? It is because caring people in our community donate clothing.

Children are placed in foster homes daily, so the need for clothing is on-going. Sherry Schubert, one of our sister Soroptimists, has been a foster parent for over 30 years. She brought this need to our attention at a recent club meeting.

A suggestion was made that a collection of clothing be taken at the beginning of each season. Individual members of the club who choose to participate can go shopping to purchase an outfit for a child; the new clothing would go into the closet.

Members of the club were excited about the idea. We get the joy of looking for and purchasing new clothing and the kids get the joy of choosing what they want to wear. It's a win-win situation! We call this new project: Kids Kloset. Many members brought kids Summer clothes to our recent Soroptimist meetings. Members will be reminded about the Kids Kloset in the fall and interested members can purchase a new "Fall" outfit for the kids.

This is just one area in which we can participate. There are many things that can be done to help such as becoming a foster parent, or a respite for a foster parent. If you would like to learn more, just contact the local DSHS.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

In 1994, Soroptimist International of the Americas formally adopted the prevention of domestic violence as a major focus. Each year, on November 25 (the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women), Soroptimist club members distribute thousands of purple cards (the color associated with domestic violence) containing domestic abuse prevention information and hotline numbers.

Members of Soroptimist of Sequim will once again participate in this campaign by handing out hotline cards and information sheets about the Soroptimist Workplace Campaign. We have also had a quilt raffle to raise money to support this life saving project. The beautiful (purple) handmade quilt is made by a 94-year young friend of one of our members. Last year we raised over $250.00 for this program from the generous and concerned Sequim community.

Our purpose is to inform the public about this often neglected topic and emphasize our involvement in this significant issue that affects thousands of women. The Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to end Domestic Violence is an on-going effort to raise awareness about a seldom-addressed violent problem.

Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign

Local hotline: 360-452 4357
or call: 1-800:799-SAFE (7233)