DESERVING AWARDS
Soroptimist International of Saratoga County presents awards and grants
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> On Wednesday, April 12 Soroptimist International of Saratoga County held its annual Fund Distribution and Awards Ceremony – awarding nearly $60,000 to individuals and organizations throughout the Capital Region that are committed to improving the quality of life for women and children, a news release said.
The Awards and Fund Distribution Committee, headed by co-chairs Andrea Newman and Marianne Needham, invited Soroptimists, honored guest Mayor Joanne Yepsen, award recipients and many representatives from the local organizations receiving the funding grants to attend the ceremony at Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant and Conference Center.
During the event, SISC, a volunteer organization bringing together women of all ages, cultures and ethnic groups, presented three awards – the Violet Richardson Award, the SLYDA Live Your Dreams Award and the Saratoga Soroptimist Inspirational Training Award – and 22 Community Funding Grants.
The $1,000 Violet Richardson Award, which recognizes a young woman age 14-17 who makes the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts, was awarded to Amaya Kilinski for her volunteer efforts with Girl Talk, Inc., an international, non-profit that creates peer-topeer mentoring relationships between high school and middle school girls. As a group leader, Amaya is tasked with helping local girls build their self-esteem, develop leadership skills and recognize the value of community service.
The $5,000 SLYDA Live Your Dreams Award, designed to assist women who are overcoming personal difficulties and who provide the primary source of financial support for their families, was awarded to Sarah Liedel. Liedel has been faced with challenge after challenge throughout her life including financial and personal hardships, the release said. Despite her situation, Liedel has managed to make a safe place for her children, is working and is going to school on and off to become a parole officer. Liedel wishes to change the life course of young people and help them become vital members of the community, the release said.
New this year, the Saratoga Soroptimist Inspirational Training Award was created to help women who may not meet the criteria for the SLYDA award, but do meet criteria which include supporting at least one other person in addition to herself. The $3,000 award will help awardees overcome their hardships and encourage them in their quest for empowerment and fulfillment.
The Community Funding Grants were awarded to Saratoga County-based organizations working in a variety of ways to improve the quality of life for women and children in the region. The organizations include
Adult and Senior Center of Saratoga, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council, Ballston Area Community Center, Bridging People and Places, Camp Abilities, Dance Alliance (MOVE), Fast Break Fund, Franklin Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, Jr Achievement, Literacy NENY, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, Saratoga Center for the Family, Saratoga County EOC, Saratoga Foundation for Innovative Learning, Saratoga Regional YMCA, Saratoga War Horse, Shelters of Saratoga, Soul Saving Station, To Life! Inc., Wellspring, and Wilton Wildlife Preserve. The 22 grants amounted to $45,090, which is the most ever awarded by SISC to date.
SISC holds two annual fundraising events including Cabin Fever in January and the Secret Gardens Tour in July, which allow the organization to continue to provide these awards and grants.
The group encourages individuals to look for qualified candidates throughout the year to nominate for these awards and grants to help recognize the extraordinary women and girls in our community.
To learn more about the local chapter of Soroptimist International, please visit www.soroptimistsaratoga.org, or consider learning about their mission while participating in one of its upcoming events – “Garden Treasures and Other Pleasures” on Friday, May 12 or The Secret Gardens Tour on Sunday, July 9.
Information for both events can be found on the website www.soroptimistsaratoga.org and on the group’s Facebook page.