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How do Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists Remember Catherine Broughton?

How do Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists Remember Catherine Broughton?

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We were saddened to learn that Catherine Broughton, a former Regional President and former member of SI Ashford and SI Maidstone passed away at the end of September 2020. Catherine was married to Tom Broughton, who was a Toastmaster and they had twin daughters and three grandchildren.  She lost her hearing during her 40s and when she was a Soroptimist, she had assistance from a Hearing Dog, Athena. Catherine was an active Soroptimist (member of SI Ashford) and South East England Regional President in 1995-96.  Soon afterwards, she transferred to SI Maidstone as she was living nearby at Boughton Monchelsea. First impressions of Catherine were of her professionalism, wisdom, and her gentle sense of humour, which resulted in many smiles and lots of laughter.  Athena was a great icebreaker and wherever they went, Catherine was always warm, caring, and helpful and acted as an advocate for

Soroptimists Toast New Year Dec 31
How did Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists Celebrate the New Year?

How did Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists Celebrate the New Year?

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Members of SI Medway and Maidstone got together this evening to start early with the celebrations for seeing in the New Year safely from our own homes (as we are in Tier 4)...best wishes to all our Soroptimist sisters and friends throughout the world for a Safe and Healthy 2021 as we all look forward to our SI Centennial.
Shoeboxes being handed out in Kosovo
Where did the Soroptimists clock up 100 hours volunteering?

Where did the Soroptimists clock up 100 hours volunteering?

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In early October, Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists were contacted by the Blythswood Care Organisers to say the Christmas Shoebox Appeal Collection Point for London and South East would be based in Gillingham again this year and would be open from 26 October – 12 December and they were looking for volunteers.  Assurance was given that all precautions would be put in place to ensure full compliance with government regulations to provide a safe working environment for all volunteers.   Five members, Janet, Julia, Jane, Sue and Wanda volunteered to work at the Collection Point initially helping set up the Covid-compliant workstations and then were assigned where they would work each shift either checking the filled shoeboxes or packing the cartons with shoeboxes ready to be transported by lorry to their final destinations in Moldova, Romania and Serbia.  Between the 5 members they provided a total
Soroptimist badge Says No
What was the key message from Soroptimists on Day 1 of 16 Days of Activism?

What was the key message from Soroptimists on Day 1 of 16 Days of Activism?

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International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists Believe to Achieve a collective global effort on International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. This is the first day of #16DaysofActivism.Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, violence against women has intensified. A Shadow Pandemic of domestic violence is growing and we need to stem the tide. Everyone has a role to play in this -What’s Yours? Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists ‘Say No to Violence Against Women'. The demand on refuges during the COVID pandemic has increased and Soroptimists have offered support to maintain these vital services throughout 2020.
Delivering 116 shoeboxes to Collection Point Nov 2020
How did the Soroptimists break their own record for filling Christmas shoeboxes?

How did the Soroptimists break their own record for filling Christmas shoeboxes?

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Little did we know when starting our preparations early on in lockdown and doing things differently that the Medway and Maidstone Soroptimists would manage to break our own record and fill an amazing 116 shoeboxes this year for the Blythswood Care Shoebox Appeal. Back in September when we met for the first time since lockdown for our Memory Walk , we took advantage to distribute wrapped shoeboxes for filling plus scarves, hats and gloves that one of our members and family supporters had been busy knitting for members to take away and fill safely at home. Other members unable to get out due to shielding, donated monies for essential items as fillers for the boxes.  Another member acted as a Personal Shopper purchasing the filler items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and other toiletries, underwear, small toys, sweets, stationery, clothes, and other items. The combined efforts