SIFC--Fall Fundraisers Allow Community Participation

Nuts, Candy and Butter Braids

Interested in helping Soroptimist by purchasing Nuts, Candy, and/or Butter Braids? Ask a member, or Email sifortcollins@hotmail.com to request an order form. Butter Braid order deadline is November 3 with delivery to Fort Collins scheduled for November 10. Nut and Candy orders are due November 3 & December 1 with delivery to Fort Collins one week after order deadline. Purchases help SI Fort Collins support women and girls in our community and throughout the world.

Our members hope friends and associates will purchase from Soroptimist what they might have purchased from grocery or specialty stores. Our prices are competitive and the products are very fresh. Supporters get great products; proceeds help SIFC improve the lives of women and girls locally and internationally.

Funds raised in the past year helped SIFC:

• Participate in Soroptimist International of America’s signature program, The Live Your Dream Award, which provides financial assistance to women head of households. Our local Soroptimist club proudly grants educational funds to deserving local women each year. Last year Soroptimist of Americas provided 1.6 million in educational awards through this program.

• Support very impressive global service projects through our international affiliations. We support women and girls through Children of Peace, International efforts in Vietnam and See Solar/Cook Solar initiatives in Zambia and Fiji, providing light at night so that young girls in developing countries can do homework and women can cook without using coal or wood.

• Purchase needed baby items for students in Poudre School District’s Teen Parent Program

• Assist with prevention and recovery initiatives offered by Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocacy

• Provide scholarships to the Women’s Warrior Project at Hearts and Horses and 

• Help a family achieve self-sufficiency with basic furnishings for a newly earned apartment. 

Pampered Chef Parties Raise Funds for SIFC

SIFC hosted two Pampered Chef parties this fall--sharing yummy food, healthy recipes and handy cooking ideas. Thanks to Jen Saibel, local Pampered Chef consultant, for 2 fun parties! Thanks to friends & associates for purchases resulting in approximately $300 (15% of party sales) to help SI Fort Collins support women and girls in our community and throughout the world.

Members cook up a storm at Robanette's during our Tuesday Evening Party

Carol cooks up a storm at Cheryl's during our Saturday Afternoon party

Soroptimist International of Fort Collins strives to provide local and global service donations (including Live Your Dream--educational grants) without nickel and diming our members. We DO NOT expect our members to "simply" write checks to support women and girls. We share information regarding product availability with our friends and associates. Thank you for supporting Soroptimist fundraisers

when and where appropriate. 

SIFC Kicks off 2015-16 Year

President Cheryl invites you to join her in efforts to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.

Business Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm, Allnutt Community Center.

Program Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm, Marriott Fort Collins.

SIFC thrives as a result of a healthy combination of fundraising, membership, program and public awareness. How will you help?

SIFC has a new website. Find us at http://sifortcollins.weebly.com
Contact us by email via sifortcollins@hotmail.com

Book Sale and Beyond...SIFC Efforts from April into July

SIFC found April into July to be a whirlwind "quarter" for accomplishing the Soroptimist mission through program, membership, fundraising, and public awareness. Check out a few of SIFC’s highlights, below,

Fundraising and Environmental Stewardship:

AAUW/SIFC Used Book Sale SIFC and AAUW-Fort Collins Chapter marketed good-quality, used books during the nonprofits’ annual Used Book Sale. 

Service funds were raised while keeping gently used books out of the landfill.



All books were recycled through the sale, donations to needy, and/or environmentally friendly means.

Financial Grants to Partners:
Soroptimist of Fort Collins' shared service funds with some deserving partners.

Grants were presented to:
Michele Kane - Hearts & Horses’ Women’s Warrior Project (upper right)
binh rybacki—Children of Peace, International (below, left)

Jennifer Jones - SAVA Young Women's Support Group (below, center)
Melissa Schaefer - PSD Teen Parent Program (below, right)

Leadership Transition and Recognition:
Installation of 2015-16 Board and presentation of SIFC's 2015 Spirit of Soroptimist.
2015-16's Rhythm Band Board
President Cheryl, Vice-president Sally, Secretary Paula, Treasurer Judy, Directors Pat and Abby
Life is Music.  Music is Life.  Every aspect of life can be idealized in music.  Music can be heard in the swishing sound of pine trees, in the lapping of the ocean waves, in the rustling of leaves, in the songs of birds and in the laughter of children.  As incoming officers for the coming year, you should explore melodies that will vibrate all over our community touching the lives of those around you and those who are far away.

Below left:  President Cheryl thanks 2014-15 President JD

Below right:  Peggy and Judy present Donna as SIFC's 2015 Spirit of Soroptimist

Awareness, Advocacy and Action:

Efforts to prevent violence against women and girls

Dignity Dresses for Girls in Vietnam

During the 2010-11 club year, SI of Fort Collins members learned that, “Young girls are less apt to be raped when wearing dresses; In many cultures dresses indicate a level of status and thus security through dignity.” Many girls in underprivileged living environments have access to only minimal clothing. SIFChas an international service goal to provide an element of dignity for underprivileged girls and thus lesson the potential for domestic violence by crafting simple dresses. 

Every Dignity Dress crafted by SIFC is bright and colorful, has a pocket and decorative button and/or bow.

Dignity dresses are hand delivered to Vietnamese orphans by Children of Peace, International's binh rybacki.

Walking in the Loveland Liberty 5K

Soroptimists Lucinda, Carolyn, Ann, binh, JD, Kay, Amber, Peggy, Paula, Gloria, and Judy walked in the Loveland Liberty 5K! Money raised in the event will be used to help Life for the Innocent's domestic initiative to rescue, restore and renew those affected by human trafficking.