Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters,
HELLO! Yesterday was WORLD HELLO DAY, so I am greeting you with hello in some other languages:
SALUT, KONNICHIWA, GUTEN TAG, OLA, CIAO, YASSOU, NAMASTE, SALAAM!
So here we are in the the third week of the second Lockdown and the eighth month of the Coronavirus Pandemic. I extend my very best wishes to all members of SINE and especially to those who are unwell, either at home or in hospital at this time.
On the plus side, there has been much promising news in the media this week, of several vaccines becoming ready, which gives us some hope there may be light at the end of a long tunnel!
CLUB NEWS
Joint President Christine and I were invited to attend the Business Meeting of SI Durham on Monday last. We were impressed with the amount of Programme activities being undertaken, which included completion of six New Start Bags for use by Durham Police, twelve Toilet Bags delivered to their local Women’s Refuge and their plans for the 16 Days of Activism. During this current Lockdown, members have set this challenge – RIDE JOG RAMBLE and AMBLE and want collectively to achieve 1000 miles with sponsorship money donated to one of their chosen charities – BRIGHT RED. This is a North of England charity supporting Hematology treatment and research within the Region since 1988 and based at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. The Club has set up a Just Giving page:
http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ds/1000milechallenge
and to date, the total raised is £949!
During the second part of the meeting, Christine and I answered questions posed by members on fundraising, raising awareness of Soroptimism, celebrating the Centenary of SI in the Region and President Johanna’s plans. We both enjoyed seeing an enthusiastic club, brimming with good ideas and anxious to put them into action.
SI Stockton-on-Tees began supporting a small local charity A WAY OUT earlier this year – in fact the last donation made just days before Lockdown was to their HQ. A Way Out is a charity established to reach out, support and rescue women, young people and families trapped in poverty, abuse, addiction and exploitation in the area of Stockton. We recently contacted them again to ascertain their current needs, one of which was woolly hats. Julie Everson was able to supply these great examples which she had been busily knitting during Lockdown. Further collections of requested items are being made for delivery before Christmas.
SI Newcastle upon Tyne set their members many challenges in celebration of our SI Centenary and one of them was completed last week. The combined weight loss of members reached 100 lbs with a little help from SI Durham and SI Stockton-on-Tees! As I know very well, losing weight is not easy and I send congratulations to all those who participated.
This colourful consignment of toys from SI Newcastle, is waiting to be transported to the East End Food Bank in the city. Members have extended the use of Trauma Teddies as, for many children, this has been a traumatic year. They each travel in their own bag, so hopefully, will be a comfort to those children who will have little this Christmas. A further delivery is planned for another Food Bank in the city.
Some messages ago, I told you about SI Darlington’s Soroptimist Strollers – their walking group set up so that at least 6 members could walk socially distanced and maintain contact with each other in conversation. The Stroller’s last walk took place the day before the second Lockdown began. Led by Carole Sobkoviak, they walked in the historic parkland around Blackwell Grange Hotel; land which dates back to the 18th century and used earlier for medieval farming. A large part of it was recently saved from developers and it is hoped that the last section under threat can be saved also. Carole pointed out the ridge and furrow pattern which indicates how it was formed in the Middle Ages. The parkland, based on designs by 18th century architect, Capability Brown, looked beautiful on a sunny Autumn day. Please note, Elspeth Robinson was armed with a litter picker and a bag for rubbish, combining service to the community with healthy exercise. Thank you to Barbara Brown who took the photographs and supplied the details.
Next Saturday, 28 November will be our Regional Council Meeting on GoTo from 10am until 12,30pm.
If you have not registered with Joan Heckels, Regional Secretary, there is still time, but not much.
I hope that those of you who are joining us will enjoy what we have planned. I will be wearing ORANGE following the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence and I am looking forward to hearing what our clubs have been doing to publicise this.
Also another reminder of the SOROPTIPET competition – a photo of your pet, wearing orange.
I conclude with this quote from Seamus Heaney, made in 1972 when the Northern Ireland troubles were at their most deadly, but which is just as relevant for today:
‘If we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere!’
Until next week, STAY SAFE, KEEP WELL.
In Friendship,
Joyce
JOINT PRESIDENT
SINE