Diary Of The Month—August 2021
Phrase of the Month- Believe to Achieve- We Stand up for Women.
We have no official meetings this month, a welcome break, holiday time. Less pressure but saying that- charity doesn’t stop! The hard work that continually goes on behind the scenes doesn’t just stop – it can’t. People need help whether the sun is out or not!
Our volunteers at the food bank for instance. They are there week in and week out, rain or shine as people need help feeding their families. Such a credit to our club.
Homestart- Families need support all year round- mentally and physically. This fabulous charity which we support with donations of clothing etc., continually contacted their allocated families throughout COVID – giving daily advice and comfort and above all, friendship.
Nightstop- Another brilliant local charity that gives a much-needed lifeline to young homeless people. A place to talk, to find comfort and a listening ear. So important when lonely or lost. They never close- always there- ready to help and guide.
We have a member who volunteered to give COVID19 injections. This brave lady has given up so much of her time these last months to help this pandemic. We are in awe at her commitment and unselfishness. So proud to call her a friend.
We have another member who sells second hand or unwanted bras on the internet and has done this for some time. She has raised a great amount for the club and charities from this activity. Another example of time well spent quietly but productively all year round. You know who you are – take a bow!
We have a lady in our club who arranges lunches for a local charity for children with learning difficulties and car boot sales too. All year round she works quietly but effectively for this cause and has raised hundreds of pounds in the process.
Our group of sewing ladies are always making clothes – birthing sheets, dresses, shorts, blankets for babies and children in Africa where we have a contact in a hospital. Babies are born every day and always need a helping hand.
Look at these goals in this picture. This is what Soroptimists work towards- trying to make this world a better place to live. But don’t think it’s all about work, there’s a lot of fun and laughter in what we do too.
5TH – Centenary Meeting- The Centenary Team met over Zoom to organise and plan the next event at Kidderminster Library in October. An Art Exhibition covering many crafts and skills all around the Theme of Women. Security and display of items is being discussed and also length of time. A visit to the library was scheduled and contact needed for Artists taking part.
8th– Nightstop held an open gardens day and raised nearly one thousand pounds which was fund matched so a real success for the charity.
14TH – A very pleasant afternoon spent in S I Stourbridge’s President Linda’s garden. Karala Foundation in Western India benefited from this fundraiser and the food especially made from that region was excellent- delicious. Several Kidderminster members attended and although the rain joined us it was a great success. Well done Stourbridge, lovely for all to get together again.
17th-At this meeting dates were decided for the Art Exhibition in October, and rotas arranged for club members to supervise the area. Publicity will be in local papers and there are leaflets to distribute.
19th Homestart Afternoon. Members attended this event to help keep families entertained for the afternoon. Held at Stourport Sports Centre on a warm and dry August afternoon. Homestart put on a lovely afternoon for their families, treating them to games and pizza, chips and ice cream. We occupied a craft table where we helped the children make windmills and paint ornaments for their bedroom windows. A real treat for them all. We were happy to present the Chairman with a cheque for £300.
21st Lunch at The Brasserie in Kidderminster for a couple of members to organise the return of our supper meetings there every month. We agreed to start again on October as a lot of members seemed to be on holiday in September. It will be so good to sit down together again for a lovely meal.