Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters,
I have been reflecting on the past twelve months and remembering that this time last year, we were looking forward and making preparations for the festive season, much as we are now, but how different is the world today? How innocent we were then, not knowing what we were to face in a few short months? New words and phrases entered our everyday vocabulary, like ‘flattening the curve’, ‘reducing the R rate’, ‘lockdown’, ‘PPE’, ‘social distancing’, ‘herd immunity’ and every message ended with the words – Stay Safe!
How we have been compelled to quickly learn new ways of communicating online – ZOOM, SKYPE, GoTo and TEAMS so that we could continue to exist as Soroptimist Clubs. I am proud that all of our Clubs are now meeting in one or other of these platforms and have been able to produce all of the amazing work which I have been privileged to report in these messages.
CLUB NEWS
Further tree planting to report – this time from SI Penrith who took part in the planting of 230 trees alongside Ladybeck and Tirril. This was a joint project with Sockbridge and Tirril Footpath Scheme and Eden Rivers Trust. Three members began planting on a very wet Saturday morning [Photo 1] with 13 other volunteers. Later the sun appeared, and it was very enjoyable, even considering all the mud!
Trees planted were Alder, Willow, Aspen, Oak, Birch, Cherry, Hazel and Hawthorn. The first three are particularly good for wetter areas.
SI Middlesbrough continue their excellent work supporting The Bungalow Project which I have reported on previously. They have donated canned and dried foods plus colouring books and pencils [Photo 2] for clients. Delivered by Geraldine Nuttal, they were gratefully received by Lyn, the Business Manager, who said they would make a massive difference to their families. This was followed up by a further four bags after the photograph was taken. Shirley Bond completed her promised supply of Teddies adding 24 to make a total of 42 for Christmas gifts. [Photo 3] shows The Tower of Temptation containing sparkling wines and three types of chocolates. Other items are beautiful little toys, bags, appliqued face cloths donated by Helen, the owner of a local shop – Tilly’s Barn. This was a single quite large donation, and the Bungalow Project can decide whether to raffle or split into individual boxes.
I have just heard on television news, that Middlesbrough has some of the most deprived areas in the UK according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, so the work
SI Middlesbrough members are doing is so important.
You may remember my news about Kathy Warrick [also SI Middlesbrough] and the 75 Orange Trauma Bears she knitted to mark the Club’s 75 years. I can now tell you that the bears have been displayed in My Sister’s Place Charity Shop window, in Captain Cook Square for the 16 Days of Action to end Violence Against Women and Girls. From there, the bears will go My Sister’s Place, an independent specialist ‘One Stop Shop’ for women 16 years and over who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence, where they will be put to good use. More from SI Middlesbrough next week.
Christine Lowthian – SI Newcastle upon Tyne – has purchased from funds the contents of these beautiful Gift Bags, wrapped and gift tagged,[Photo 4] 25 of them are ready to hand over to the Joseph Cowan Health Care Centre in Newcastle. They will go into quarantine before they are distributed to homeless women in Newcastle just before Christmas. Members of SI Newcastle have been supporting JCHC for twenty two years.
As another of their centenary challenges, members have been collecting packs of toilet rolls – very essential items – and 100 have been delivered to their local Food Bank.
More news of impressive donations – this time from SI South Shields – this montage of photographs [Photo 5] shows the delivery of fifteen bags of groceries and gifts to Hospitality and Hope, the charity which the club has supported for 14 years and for which their work was rewarded with the Connie Dawson Plate at our Reach for the Skies Awards in September. I think I can see Susan Dixon behind the mask! The Club also donated over £300 worth of toiletry sets aimed at teenagers to the Salvation Army.
News from SI Darlington and District who had a Zoom Executive meeting this week at which it was decided to give a substantial donation to Family Help, Darlington’s Women’s Refuge. It was appropriate to choose to support the Refuge during the 16 Days. A further donation will be made to the Kumi Community Fund in Uganda to purchase a wheelchair to enable a disabled child to go back to school, get an education and become independent. Early plans for tree planting are being discussed for next year.
What more can I say about all of these amazing actions except that the work you are all doing is staggering and that I am so proud of our Northern England Region Clubs.
Finally, belated greetings to Christine Cottingham, Linked member of SI Newcastle upon Tyne and a former SINE President. Christine celebrated a very special birthday last Sunday and had a ZOOM call between New Zealand, West Berkshire, East Boldon and Whickham with all of her family. Her sister Hilary Clavering took the photograph [Photo 6] as they brought her gifts, socially distanced of course!
An early New Year message from Four Quartets by T S Eliot:
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language.
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
Until next week – STAY SAFE, KEEP WELL
In Friendship,
JOYCE
Joint Regional President
SINE
