We held our June meeting at Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner on a very warm evening. Sadly, our guest speaker from the Richmond & Hambleton Palliative Care Team, had been taken ill and could not be with us. However, our newest member, Sara-Louise offered to stand up and speak to us about her life and work. Sara is a real local, having been born in Northallerton, and lived all her life in Richmond. She works as a senior member of a Chartered Accountancy firm in Richmond. Her main focus is supporting new clients, especially those setting up new businesses, as well as supporting the women on her team. She discovered Soroptimism when her Godmother Lin (our past President and current club Secretary) nominated her for our ‘Women of Richmond Exhibition’ for International Women’s Day. Sara received a very warm welcome from club members.
Our Programme Action officer reported back on recent donations of tote bags to North Yorkshire Voice, and clothing to SmartWorks. She also reported on recent loans to a team of ladies in Togo through our ongoing microfinancing via Lend With Care. She is currently corresponding with our Friendship Club SI Harare about the best way to send them the money we have earmarked to help them with their work.
We were reminded of Angie Dale’s work at Colburn Community Centre. We meet there in November, and in the past have contributed to the Christmas hampers that Angie and her helpers send out to those in need. She likes to add a gift for families with children, but has found that gifts for teenage girls are not always donated. She has asked the club to donate suitable gifts for these girls such as make-up sets, nail polish, fluffy socks, jewellery, pyjamas, emery boards, body lotion, perfume or body spray. We will bring suitable donations in November!
Members also signed up to volunteer at our next fundraising coffee morning being held at the Town Hall in July. Members man the door and stalls, and make and serve beverages, as well as bringing donations for the tombola and raffle.