Live Your Dream

You are eligible if you are a woman who:

• Provides the primary financial support for yourself    and your dependents. Dependents can include            children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.

• Has financial need.

• Is enrolled in or has been accepted to

   a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

• Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.

• Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream     Award.

• Does not have a graduate degree.

• Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or                    immediate family of either.

• Has a Social Security number or Tax ID number. (This is required for tax purposes and is only            necessary if you are a resident of the United States. You will not be asked to share this information    unless you have been given an award.)

Applications are being accepted through December 1st.  For application form, click here.  For references form, click here.  If you need more information, send us an email with your name and phone number and we'll be quick to give you a call.  Money is currently available from a number of Skagit Valley clubs.  Please, please, please pass this information on to anyone who may be eligible.

Hallowine 2015

While we're still rubbing our sore feet, we need to crow a little about our 11th Annual Hallowine Auction!  October 17th saw 217 generous souls join us at the Swinomish Lodge Ballroom for an evening of fun and frivolity - with wine(!) tasting courtesy of  Frank and Priscilla (The Store Grocery.)

The evening began with an enormous silent auction and our infamous Gift Card Boards circulating the room with some tasty hors d'oeuvres. When the silent auction finished, guests enjoyed a wonderful full buffet dinner before the live auction opened with some spectacular desserts!

We're happy to report that our Raise the Paddle raised $12, 950 for the Merle Cancer Center Fund, and as always, we can't do a thing without the support of the generous merchants, sponsors and guests who attend our one and only fund raising event.  Thank you all so much!

Skagit River Salmon Festival

SIFI was proud to once again help out at the Skagit River Salmon Festival on Sept. 12th.  As always everyone had a blast as we manned one of many craft booths for the kiddies!

Hallowine 2015!

Every year it just gets bigger and better!

Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island is proud to present our 11th annual Hallowine Auction and Wine Tasting - October 17th  at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge Ballroom.  Doors open at 5:30 for a fun ongoing silent auction, delicious hors d'oeuvres, fabulous wines courtesy of The Store Grocery and a spirited live auction hosted by the delightful Mr. Patrick Grant!

This is our one and only fundraiser and all proceeds fund scholarships and community projects. Tickets are $40 presale, $45 at the door and you may reserve a table for eight for $320. Click here to send us an email and order your tickets today!

The Women of SI Fidalgo Island - We Teach Our Children

My name is Trish Rodriguez and I was one of the charter members of  SIFI and a former member of SI Anacortes before that.  When people ask me why I choose to be a Soroptimist, so many good reasons come to mind. But none would be more important than the lovely young woman that stands with me among the tulips in this photo.  That beauty is my daughter, Amanda.  I was blessed with the care and feeding of two great kids; a responsibility I've rarely felt up to.  I wanted to teach them two things most of all - that they were loved and that happiness only comes in showing love to others.

Here's another picture of Amanda, taken this week in Haiti.  She is participating in travel with a purpose, volunteering a vacation with the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children. In this photo she is taking vital signs for a diabetes clinic. Words will never be able to express the fierce pride I feel as she emails me these photos, and the deep feeling that wow, did I do something right.  If belonging to a service club has demonstrated to my kids that giving back is the rent we pay to live in a country where we have so much, it is worth all the dues, all the efforts, all the time I was never really sure I had.

Being a Soroptimist has given far more to me than I'll ever be able to give back.

Area Meeting

The 2015 Area Meeting will take place Saturday, February 21 at Maple Center in La Conner, the corner of 1st and Commercial, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Our area includes clubs from Anacortes, Burlington, Coupleville, Everett, Fidalgo Island, Friday Harbor, La Conner, Marysville, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Sedro-Woolley and South Whidbey.

Join us for a day "Blooming with Possibilities" for learning, friendship, fun and shopping.  Registration deadline is Feb. 9.