Soroptimist International clubs in many countries have been spreading some festive cheer to women and children who might otherwise miss out, including those in prison, recovering from addiction, escaping domestic violence, or living in poverty. Here are just a few examples of the work being done by Soroptimists around the world (if you cannot see the slideshow of photos below, click here).
In Australia, SI Brisbane (Australia) are sending presents to 350 women who will be spending Christmas in prison, part of the support that the club has given women prisoners for the past 15 years.
SI Los Gatos-Saratoga (USA) supported a local drug and alcohol treatment facility for women with children by making donations to purchase Christmas gifts for residents, then helping staff to wrap the nineteen bags of presents! SI Kachinas (USA) welcomed their Women of Achievement award runner-up Angela to their meeting on 18 December and while hearing about her life, kids and schooling, members wrapped up presents for local families who receive their support.
In the UK, SI Winchester have donated wrapped food and gifts to their local women’s refuge, for children to give to their mothers.
Many clubs have a long tradition of helping people in need over Christmas. In Modesto, California (USA) more than 3000 young people will get holiday gifts thanks to the Soroptimist Community Christmas tree, part of a twenty-seven year tradition. Shoppers at the Vintage Faire Mall are invited to stop by, sign out a tag and then purchase gifts for the child it represents. The Soroptimists wrap the gifts and deliver them through the schools and service agencies they work with to identify needy children.
SI Prishtina (Kosovo) give presents to local children each year; in 2011, 40 children with Downs Syndrome who attend special schools were the lucky recipients. In Norway, SI Molde invited refugees and immigrants, who often lack a local network, for an evening of food, friendship and Norwegian traditions, baking traditional Christmas gingerbreads and ending the evening with a meal.
SI Bangalore (India) introduced children to Christmas traditions at the after-school English conversation classes that they run twice a week at the Gopal Ramnarayan Government Model Primary school in Sanjaynagar. "Stars of Tomorrow" is an education initiative of SI Bangalore based on the belief that children of all income groups have an equal right to learn and express themselves.
SI Medway (UK) have been collecting gifts and food to brighten up Christmas for women and children at their local women’s refuges, as well as sending presents to people in need in Eastern Europe, India and Pakistan.
SI Asaba (Nigeria) organized a christmas party for the inmates of Pro Labore Dei orphanage home and some physically challenged people in the Grand Hotel, Asaba. The invitees were treated to sumptuous meals and also went home with Christmas gifts.
SI of the Tri Cities, (Canada) celebrated Christmas at our "Warm Place for Women", a dinner that the club hosts each month in two different locations, providing a hot meal, donated clothing, and toiletries for women in need in our community. This location sees a lot of immigrant and refugee families. For Christmas club members gave the children toys donated by the employees of a local company.
If you’d like to add in news of what your local club is doing, please email photos and information to rosi.jack@soroptimistinternational.org.