RESTORING LIVES…the 2004 President’s Appeal

Every year the President of Soroptimist International selects a project that provides direct assistance to women and children in extreme need. Soroptimist is partnering with Children of Peace International this year to restore life to those living in the Ho Chi Minh Youth Shelter. All monies collected from our surprise raffle will be forwarded by December 10th. This date was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and is recognized today as the United Nations’ Human Rights Day.

We have an opportunity to help assure that these individuals are treated with compassion and respect, free from abusive caretakers. There are over 500 abandoned Vietnamese children (ranging in age from 8 to 18) in orphanages; eleven schools have established to help them embrace self-sufficient positions. Since the Children of Peace was established, they have helped more than 4,500 children and young women. We have an opportunity to help provide primary and vocational education, medical care and healthy lifestyles. We can help restore a sense of self-worth and foster these forgotten Vietnamese to realize healthy vocations and find life as contributing members of society.

This year we added a new dimension to the President’s Appeal. A basket was put together (by Colleen Blazier) with international items such as coffee, chocolate and many international surprises. It also included a coffee pot which was a gift to our club for our participation in last year’s Relay for Life. Raffle tickets were sold, the prize being the International basket. We collected and sent in over $300!

         

The winning ticket was pulled at our holiday party; however the winner, Penny Wolf, was not able to attend. The basket was hand delivered to Penny by Jane Manzer.

At our first regular meeting in January Penny told us an interesting thing that happened with the basket. She does not drink coffee. A friend had come to visit and commented on the lovely basket on her counter. Penny asked her friend if she liked coffee. She said yes, adding that her coffee maker was in disrepair and she was going to have to purchase a new one. Penny gave her the basket. The woman’s son, who was an exchange student, was thrilled with all the European treats. Penny said she kept the chocolate to sample and enjoy herself. What a great example of the cycle of giving!

Thank you all who participated.
Colleen Blazier


  


SWEETS FOR THE SWEET
  


What a sweet opportunity for Soroptimist to participate in the First annual Chocolate Festival at the Boys & Girls Club on April 16th. We only need four members to make this a success. We can promote Soroptimist of Sequim and let everyone know that See’s candy is available at the sweetest little bookstore in Sequim. What a win, win event.

See's Candy is sold year-round at Pacific Mist Books - the Sweetest Little Bookstore in Sequim. When you stop in to purchase See's you can see the sweet owner - our very own sister Soroptimist, Marti McAllister Wolf!
 
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