Live Your Dream 2017

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.Liv  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.

Marge Thomas ( 5/20/42 - 7/20/17)

There are no words. Marge was the heart of Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island. She was mentor, teacher, guru, friend, president and the true soul of altruism. She gave us vision. She gave us optimism. She selflessly tried to feed the world and was boundless in her generosity. She often gave us a needed kick in the butt. Saying "no" to Marge was a Herculean feat. She kept us going.

To say she will be missed is a horrific understatement. No one will come close to the place she holds in our hearts.

Link to Evans Obit here.

Northwestern Regional Conference

Our Co-Presidents Marge Thomas and Diane Goetz were proud to attend the 99th Northwestern Regional Conference in Vancouver, WA. 

Diane and other members who signed up for monthly giving to the Laurel Society.

Laurel Society gifts fund all of the Live Your Dream scholarships.

Anacortes School District Breakfast

Our Co-Presidents, Diane Goetz and Marge Thomas attended the breakfast celebration on April 26th thanking the Anacortes School District volunteers and service clubs for their contributions. This school year we raised the paddle for Rachel's Closet at our Hallowine Fundraiser and partnered with SI Anacortes to take middle school girls to a STEM conference as part of our "Dream It - Be It" goals.

New and Exciting

 New members Kathy Parker and Barbara Atterberry were inducted in April. We're so glad you've joined us!

Co-President Marge Thomas was nominated by SI Anacortes as a Woman Making a Difference.
Congratulations!

Soroptimist 16th Annual Area Awards Reception

Leslie Pazskowski

On March 28, 2017, Soroptimists gathered once again to honor the women in our communities who received awards through our signature program of Live Your Dream. Six area clubs representing Anacortes, Burlington, Fidalgo Island, La Conner, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley presented their honorees with roses and certificates at the Swinomish Lodge Banquet room.

We were proud to present our award to Leslie Pazskowski who is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.  In addition, SIFI presented Jessie Arroyo-Sanchez with the Violet Richardson Award for a young woman in high school improving the world through volunteering and a Ruby Award to Sue Monaghan and Kristen Phillips, founders of A Simple Gesture. The Ruby Award honors women who have worked for the betterment of women and girls professionally or through volunteer efforts.

The Honorees

The members of Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island salute all of the winners of these scholarships and awards and commend these women for striving to better themselves, our communities and the world.  Well done.

2017 Live Your Dream

Michelle Hawkins, Leslie Paszkowski, Trish Rodriguez

Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island is proud to announce our 2017 Live Your Dream Winner, Leslie Paszkowski.

Leslie is not a stranger to Anacortes. She was married at an early age and as a young mother, her heart was always set on continually learning. She took correspondence courses and was certified in the fitness industry. She has been a tireless volunteer in our community working with many organizations including the American Red Cross, Anacortes School District, Reading is Fundamental, the Salvation Army and AmeriCorps, as well as coaching for Parks and Recreation.

Despite finding herself left alone with a son in Anacortes High School and two daughters still in college, Leslie continues to strive to better herself and is enrolled at Skagit Valley College working toward a degree in civil engineering. We are delighted to support Leslie in her continuing goal of a Civil Engineering Degree and wish her luck at the Regional and National level.

Hallowine 2016

It's that time again... The air is cooler, the leaves are starting to turn, and everyone's thoughts start to turn to ...  wine!

Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island is proud to present our 12th annual Hallowine Auction and Wine Tasting - October 15th 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!

Dream It, Be It

Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls will help girls grow up to be strong, successful, happy adults. Dream It, Be It targets girls in secondary school who face obstacles to their future success. It provides girls with access to professional role models, career education and the resources to live their dreams.


A combined workshop sponsored by both Anacortes and Fidalgo Island Soroptimist Clubs.

WHO: 7th and 8th Grade girls from Fidalgo Island


WHEN: Saturday, May 14

TIME: 9:30-4:00


WHERE: Methodist Church
2201 H Avenue


FYI: All girls in the the 7th and 8th grades have been mailed invitations and registration forms. The forms are to be returned to the Middle School Main office no later than Friday, May 6. This one-day FREE and fun workshop is for girls to talk about their dreams and how to go about setting goals to achieve these dreams.

Live Your Dream 2015-2016 Awardee

Linda Rose Bevins

Rose is a single mother with two children to support;  a 28 year old daughter with disabilities and an 8 year old son. Rose left a good job and home in Oregon and moved back to Washington State three years ago to obtain the educational program to meet the needs of her son. Upon arriving in Sedro Woolley, Rose applied for state assistance and was given the opportunity to return to school. She enrolled in the Medical Secretary Certification program at Skagit Valley College.

Rose works 18 hours a week at the college and also supplements her income by selling plasma twice a week. We are proud to support Rose in her persistent efforts to complete her courses at the college and support her children. As a recipient of the Live Your Dream Award from Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island, Rose has a chance for additional scholarship money at the Regional and International level.  Congratulations to Rose from SIFI and good luck to her on her journey to live her dream.

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.

Early Childhood Education

Co-Presidents Marge Thomas and Diane Goetz were happy to present Mark Wenzel, Anacortes School District Superintendent,  with a check for $8850 this month courtesy of our Hallowine fundraiser. Guests at the event  were asked to  Raise the Paddle  to provide scholarships for needy families to enroll children in preschool programs.

Our most exciting Hallowine yet!

Our 10th Annual Hallowine was an unprecedented success and we're all still a little giddy!  On October 18th we were proud to host 250 guests from our community at the Swinomish Lodge Ballroom for a little wine, food and merriment and a super exciting auction.

We're delighted to say that our guests were generous to a fault and were happy to "raise the paddle" to the tune of $8800 for the Early Childhood Education program in Anacortes. This money will fund scholarships to allow families in need to send their kids to preschool. All other money raised will contribute to club operation and fund our other scholarships and projects, including the Live Your Dream Award and anti-trafficking education in cooperation with the Skagit County Coalition Against Trafficking.

We wish to offer our heartfelt thanks for the generosity of all our guests and sponsors. Thanks to all of you for helping to make this community and event AMAZING!

Live Your Dream Awards

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards (formerly the Women’s Opportunity Awards) assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Each year, more than $1.6 million in education grants are awarded to more than 1,200 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence and/or drug and alcohol abuse. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation.

In addition to providing the primary financial support for their families, eligible applicants must be enrolled in, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program and must demonstrate financial need. Also, please note only residents of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries and territories are eligible to apply for the educational grants.

The Live Your Dream Awards involves three levels of cash awards. The program begins at the local Soroptimist club-level, where award amounts vary. Local-level award recipients become eligible for region-level awards of either $3,000 or $5,000. Region-level award recipients then become eligible to receive one of three international-level awards of $10,000.

Since the Live Your Dream Awards program began in 1972, about $30 million in education grants have been disbursed to assist tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. In 2007, the program received the Associations Advance America Summit Award—ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership's highest level of recognition.

Interested in applying for the Live Your Dream Awards?  Click here for the application and here for the reference forms.  All applications are due no later than November 15th.

The 10th Annual Hallowine Auction and Wine Tasting

It's that time again! Soroptimist International of Fidalgo Island is proud to present our 10th annual Hallowine Auction and Wine Tasting - October 18th, 6 PM, at the Swinomish Lodge Ballroom. Every year it just gets bigger and better - with 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 $35 presale and you may reserve a table for eight for $280. Click here to send us an email and order your tickets today!