One of the first service projects in the early 1970’s was to plant trees in Rusch Park.  A pine tree for every member of the club (about 30 at the time) was planted in Pine Grove.  Over the years we have partnered with Rusch Park to establish the Soroptimist Rose Garden there as well. 

Also in the 1970’s,  in conjunction with the Citrus Heights Fire Department, SICH funded the Blue Dot Program.  This program provided markers in the street identifying the locations of fire hydrants.  This made it easier to locate the fire hydrants during an emergency.

 

Soroptimist International of Citrus Heights was instrumental in the 1980’s in bringing a branch of the Blood Bank to the Citrus Heights community.  One of the original members, Pansy Carrick, was a medical professional and spearheaded many, many blood drives in conjunction with the Citrus Heights Fire Department.  In 1988 the Pansy Carrick Scholarship Fund was established in her honor to help young women entering the medical field.

 

Our most current service project for 2009 entails working with the Sacramento Crisis Nursery to refurbish a room into a “Baby Boutique”.  SICH provided not only monetary support for materials, but also hands-on physical labor under the direction of a local contractor who donated his time and some materials.  In addition, we provided Christmas dinner and Easter baskets for all the residents (about 40-50 at any one time).

In 1986, SICH initiated its first Box Lunch fundraiser.  We are now in our 23rd year of this very successful fundraiser.  In 2008, we made and sold approximately 1300 box lunches and netted about $7000.  Our other fundraiser during the year is a Crabfeed co-sponsored with the Kiwanis of Citrus Heights.  Profits from these two fundraisers are used to fund our service projects for the following year.

 

Over the years, SICH has been involved in a variety of other projects serving the Citrus Heights community.  Here are just a few examples:

 of some of our projects for those in need:

         

     Purchase and delivery of Baby Think It Over Infant Simulators to local high schools

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                                            Annual participation in the Citrus Heights Red, White & Blue Parade.

          

                     

                                                                             

Valentine, Easter, and Halloween baskets for the Children’s Receiving Home   

Ongoing support to the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Citrus Heights.

Furnishings for the “Soft Interview Room” in the new Citrus Heights Police Department to make victims of violent crimes and their families more comfortable when telling their stories.

Partnership with Mercy Center for Breast Health in funding mammograms for those in need.

Sponsorship of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life/Citrus Heights.

Adoption of local families at Thanksgiving and Christmas, providing food and gifts

Grants and scholarships to women seeking a higher education before reentering the work force.

Scholarships to deserving high school students.

 

If you are interested in contributing your talents and time to a worthwhile service organization that focuses on helping women and children, please contact our Membership Chair, Sue Green.  She can be reached at 916.965.6846 or info@soroptimistcitrusheights.org.  We would love to have you visit us at one of our meetings! 

        

Historical Pictures