Soroptimists celebrate 100 years of service
CHICO » Soroptimist International of Chico is honoring its parent organization, Soroptimist International, with a generous donation to the Girls Scouts of Northern California.
“They have a mission very similar to ours — working with young girls in supporting and furthering their education and leadership roles,” said Sara Beacham, president.
The local club’s “100-years legacy project,” included the $20,000 donation for the construction of an outdoor pavilion and bathroom at Girl Scouts of Northern California Floral Avenue location.
“We were out there for the ground breaking on Oct. 2,” said Beacham.
Soroptimist International was founded in Oakland in 1921. The Chico chapter was founded in 1930. The global organization consists of more than 72,000 members in 121 countries. The Chico Soroptimists chapter has 62 members and is the largest in the region, according to Beacham.
Through the years several local notables including Emma Wilson and Hester Patrick have been members of the group with Patrick serving as its seventh president. Additionally, the chapter has multiple legacy members, those whose mothers, aunts or grandmothers have been members before them. Beacham is one such member.
“We have a couple of mother-daughter pairs. My mom and aunt were both members and I’m the third in our family to serve as president. I think we’re a super fun group, and we do a lot for girls and women and our community,” said Beacham.
Soroptimist International of Chico awards numerous scholarships every year including the Live Your Dream awards which assists women who provide the primary source of financial support
for their families by giving them resources to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. Other scholarships provided by the philanthropic group include Faye Bedford Tech Trek Award, Soroptimist Graduate Student Scholarship, Soroptimist Goodwill and Understanding Scholarship, Soroptimist Aging and Gerontology Education Award and Butte College scholarships.
“Our giving efforts include distributing between $35,000 and $51,000 annually depending on our fundraising efforts the year before. In 2018, after the Camp Fire started, our club raised $146,246, which all has since been distributed to individuals effected by the devastating Camp Fire,” said Beacham.
The group also provides community grants and has donated to Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, the Jesus Center, the rebuilding efforts for the Honey Run Covered Bridge, the Peg Taylor Center and Catalyst Domestic Violence Services among others.
“We also do hands on projects in the community where help is needed,” said Beacham.
Members of the group have volunteered as course monitors for the annual Girls on the Run 5k run and at the bounce house for the Butte Humane Society’s grand opening earlier this month.
“It’s good to give back to the community as a volunteer. We meet great people and the membership is a great group that supports each other socially and in service,” said Beacham.