Women’s Opportunity Award – this is our club’s major service project. The funds aid women seeking to improve their economic status by gaining additional skills, training, and education. Women must be the primary wage earner for their family and submit an application. A Committee of non-Soroptimists select winners based on the programs criteria. Our club awarded $3,000 - $2,000 to our grand prize winner and $1,000 to our runner up. The women who are awarded the grand prize from each club are submitted for Regional consideration. Our grand prize winner won an additional $3,000 from Region in 2008.
Dress for Success – The club collects women’s business clothes and on a Saturday in September holds “Dress for Success”. The club contacts various organizations who might benefit from this event. Women who are returning to the workforce or need clothing are allowed to shop for their needs. Clothing is sold at a very low cost, for example a suit could go for $1.
Making a difference for Women – $200 - awarded to a woman in our community for their work to improve conditions of women and children through their personal or volunteer efforts. This year our club awarded this award to Mary Ferrell from Medford School District and the Maslow Project.
Violet Richardson Award - $200 – awarded to a young women between the ages of 14 to 17 who make the world a better place through volunteer efforts. The Club’s 2008 winner was Mary Struckmeier, a student at North Medford High School.
Kids Unlimited - $200/month – Kids Unlimited homeless program that offers food and supplies to homeless and runaway teens. The club contacts the director each month and shops for the goods that are in need for the month.
Pear Blossom - $1,500 – the club provides these funds for the Pear Blossom scholarship fund.
KidSpree – $1,648 Community project - Southern Oregon KidSpree with J C Penny’s provides back to school clothing and school supplies to qualifying children.
Senior Family – Christmas - $375 – The club contacted Access and provided gifts to 3 senior families. Members shopped, wrapped, and delivered the gifts. The families were very grateful for the gifts and the company.
Christmas Family - $375 – The club gave the funds to Kids Unlimited. The funds were used for Kid’s Unlimited Christmas Party. Members attended the party and passed out sweatshirts to each child.
Community Health Center - $750 – funds to be used at the discretion of the organization.
Casting for Recovery - $500 – An organization that provides weekend fly fishing retreats to Breast Cancer survivors.
Circle of Friends - $250 – Provides grants for preschool tuition for underprivileged children so their Moms can work and/or attend school.
Consumer Credit Counseling - $900 - These funds will sponsor the Money Management Program for elderly clients. The service matches a client to a volunteer who helps pay bills and resolve financial problems.
Family Nurturing Center - $500 – This organization is committed to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Funds are used to provide a safe and secure environment for abused children. Supports parents in rebuilding lives, and offers mental health services to families.
Cancer Awareness Project - $1,000 – An organization that provides free mammograms to women who do not have insurance or the funds for this procedure.
Jackson County’s Library Outreach to Childcare - $250 - Works with child care providers to improve early literacy skills. Bags of books are delivered to about 45 sites each month in Jackson County. Over 400 children receive benefits from this program.
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