New Member

Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island is proud to welcome Kathy Caldwell to our club (pictured with Co-President Marge Thomas.)

Things That We Do... cont.

 Finishing up with our Spring Community Baby Shower by using the monetary contributions for books for the Prenatal Care Center.  Yay!

AND presenting $1262 to the Skagit County Coalition Against Trafficking. The funds will be used to defray start-up costs and to produce a future seminar that will be tentatively scheduled for February. Double Yay!!

The Women of SI Fidalgo Island - We Have Families

I am honored to be a member of SIFI.  It is important to me that all children are provided a healthy foundation with support from the communities that they call home.  I work at City Hall and every afternoon look forward to the bus dropping off kids.  The basement quickly fills with the sounds of rambunctious kids.  I appreciate that we have the Boys and Girls Club in our communities to provide a safe, supportive environment.  I am proud that SIFI is a partner in ensuring the success and financial stability of the Boys and Girls Club."

Emily Schuh - member

The Women of SI Fidalgo Island - We Give Blood

"During the last 28 years of living in Anacortes with my husband and raising our two daughters I have been involved in many kinds of non-profit and volunteer work; some state but mostly local, and mostly related to arts education.  I also play in a recorder quartet, am in a book group, enjoy sewing, gardening & cooking.  Prompted by one of my daughters' battle with and survival of leukemia which entailed the use of countless blood products and a stem cell transplant, I am a regular blood donor and am in the national bone marrow donor bank.

I was raised in a family that valued community service, with my mom a very special and dedicated role model. When our girls got older and moved on to lives on their own, Soroptimist seemed a natural fit for me.  The women of our club are the best - talented, smart, compassionate and energetic.  I have found use for both the business  and non-profit skills gained through my lifetime, especially in helping with the clerical organization of one of our main fundraising events - HalloWine.  It's a joy to work with a bunch of gals who easily choose causes to support, mostly local, but also national and international,  figure out the best ways to raise funds for them,  roll up their sleeves and pitch in until each job is beautifully done.  All to improve the lives of women and girls."

Annette B. Woolsey - member

Newest Women of SI Fidalgo Island

 At our regular meeting on March 18th, we were happy to induct our newest members into SI Fidalgo Island.  Meet Alex Gallardo, mom of our illustrious Violet Richardson Award winner, Karen. (Pictured here with Co-Presidents Marge Thomas and Diane Goetz.)

Carol Olsen also joined our little club, after winning our Ruby Award for outstanding community service with Days for Girls.  Welcome ladies!  We're proud to have you with us!

Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Award Gets New Name!

Off to the Area Meeting!

On March 8, International Womens Day, about 140 members of the Island/Skagit area met in beautiful Friday Harbor.  Well, beautiful if damp, Friday Harbor. Clubs represented were from Anacortes, Burlington, Coupeville, Everett, Fidalgo Island, Friday Harbor, LaConner, Marysville, Mt. Vernon, Oak Harbor and Sedro Woolley.  These women didn't let a little rain slow them down as they hopped on an early ferry for San Juan Island.

With the theme "Inspiring Change," the tone was set for a good day reporting successes and brainstorming ways to improve our communication and move forward with the Soroptimist Mission to improve the lives of women and girls through programs fostering social and economic empowerment.  The SI Fidalgo Island delegates were Michelle Hawkins, Mary Kiel, Trish Rodriguez and Lynette Setmire. Michelle won a beautiful basket of wine and chocolate in a raffle that raised more than $1500; $1000 of which will go to the Laurel Society with the remainder going to the Island County Sexual Assault Services safe house program.