Club News
Christmas Boxes
Operation Christmas child is an initiative of Samaritans Purse, a Christian relief and development organisation which has been working through churches, schools and other organisations since 1990. The Shoebox Appeal is for girls or boys from 2 to 14 and each is filled with a selection of educational supplies, hygiene and sports items, warm clothing, games, toys and sweets. The boxes will go to Kyrgyzstan and after Christmas a team including our Club member Christine will visit Kyrgyzstan to distribute the boxes. With the help of the Friends of Guildford House, SI Guildford and District were able to fill 46 boxes to give a child a little joy and excitement.
5 December 2011 – Haslemere Christmas Fair
As in previous years, members supplied homemade chutneys, mincemeat, Christmas puddings and biscuits for sale at the Haslemere Christmas Fair. Members worked by rota on the stall and £369 was raised for Club projects including TALK ( a Surrey based chairty which helps those who have had a stroke communicate again), Guildford Action and the Soroptimists’ own Emergency Relief Fund.
Hospital packs – June 2011
Guildford Club is delighted to continue its support for the Royal Surrey Hospital by supplying packs of toiletries for use by parents accompanying their children to the emergency ward. Concerned about their children, these parents arrive at the Hospital without any provision for themselves but the Club provides emergency packs including flannels, shower gel, toothpaste and toothbrushes (razors and shaving foam if required). A typical pack is shown below:
This work is organised by our founder member Pat and member Valerie and is largely funded by a raffle held amongst members at Club meetings. All members, however, contribute to the contents. A further 17 packs have recently been delivered to the ward at the ward’s request.
Guildford Festival – June 2011
Members manned a stall on Guildford High Street during the annual Festival. Approximately £300 was raised for Club funds.
Visit to SI Zagreb – May 2011
During the Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations, a Friendship Link was formed with SI Zagreb, assisted by member Marta, herself a former member of SI Zagreb. Members of the Club were delighted to be invited to Zagreb recently to learn more about the work of Soroptimists in Croatia. Guildford members attended a meeting of the Zagreb Club and toured the district with their hosts. Below: member Maria attends Zagreb Club meeting.
