SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL of LODI SUNRISE HISTORY

SI Lodi Sunrise has had an eventful existence since it was chartered on July 7, 1989, at Angelina’s Restaurant. That year started the Mother’s Day Basket Raffle as our first fundraiser event. Gifts for Moms also started in 1989, and has continued to be a popular and successful project; combined last year (2002–2003) with a fun Christmas social.

The first Classic Clothing Sale was held in the spring of 1992, at the Eagles Lodge. In 96–97 the Friday Night Preview was added. This continues to be our major fundraiser with the proceeds going to the Women’s Center and Vine House and a variety of other local organizations, as well as funding our WOA and Violet Richardson Awards

Our members have always been busy, actively involved in several projects supporting worthy causes. Other early fundraisers included Teddy Bear Festivals (90–91, 91–92, 93–94, 94–95, 95–96); scooping ice cream at the Lodi Street Faire, and operating booths at the Ooh-Aah Festival, Arts and Rec at the Lake (93–94). Club members made violence toward women a major focus, beginning in the 98–99 year. We have co-hosted events with the Noon club, among which included Antiques Appraisal (started 98–99), with proceeds benefiting the VINE House. In addition to the Women’s Center, other recipients of fundraising efforts include play ground equipment for the Dorothy Mahin School (98–2000), Baby-Think-It-Over dolls for Tokay and Lodi High Schools (2000-01); Wheelchairs for Life (01–02), American Cancer Society Relay for Life (01–02, 02–03), National Federation for the Blind Children's Camp (01–02).

In addition to local activities and fundraisers, the Lodi Sunrise Club has been represented at annual conventions, conferences, leadership summits, and district meetings, starting in 1992–93 with the Federation Convention in Phoenix, AZ. In 94–95, five members attended the International Conference in San Francisco, and in the summer of 2002 six of our members attended the Federation Convention in San Diego. The 96–97 year began with a visit from our Friendship Link with five Soroptimist International members from Wakayama-Kihoku, Japan. This friendship continues, and in 2002 our club sent beautiful black T-shirts from the Lodi Obon festival for our sisters in Japan. The T-shirts displayed a colorful painted picture of children on them.

In 2003 we joined other San Joaquin County Soroptimist clubs in a Saturday of Service project and spent a morning at Mary Graham Hall, doing crafts and playing games with the children. Each child received a new book to keep and we ended the morning with a pizza party. It was a fun service project for Soroptimists and kids.

Maxine Crow was president from 2002–2004. During that time the club continued to hold its annual Classic Clothing Sale as the major fundraiser. We also did the Gifts for Moms in December, providing gifts for mothers of some of the children at Heritage School. In order to avoid duplication, all second graders would have a gift each year to take home to his or her mother. Members decided to hold a second fundraiser in the fall, and in November 2004, our first Finery at the Winery was hold at Vino Piazza, with wine tasting; desserts and other nibbles from various caterers and bakeries; and informal fashion show of Holiday clothing from Dillards, with the Lodi Firefighters modeling; and a silent auction. We were able to donate of $4,000 to Blakely Park as a result of this new fundraiser, which we hope will be an annual event.

Another significant thing that happened is that our club became a 501(c)3 organization, making it possible to receive more donations Our Saturday of Service project was to staff the Annual Yard Sale for the Lodi Women’s Center. Our first Membership Tea yielded two new Sunrise Soroptimists.

We enjoy providing recognition and scholarships for Violet Richardson Awards, WOA, and Women Helping Women. We’ve also presented the Women of Distinction Award several times, to individuals both within the ranks of Soroptimists, and in the community at large. We continue to recruit special women who find helping others a positive experience.

And the adventure (and fun) continues….

Revised November 29,2006