Butler County Soroptimists honored
Soroptimist International of Butler County was recently honored for its program, “A Place to Lay My Head,” and received a $5,000 grant supporting its work.
According to Marianne Hill, county chapter president, the group was awarded the Celebrating Success Award certificate for A Place to Lay My Head at the Soroptimist 2018 Spring Conference in Cape May, N.J.
The county chapter also was presented the 2018-2019 Soroptimist Club Grant for Women and Girls from Soroptimist International of the Americas for $5,000.
“A Place to Lay My Head is our program that assists women who are head of household in their journey to a new lifestyle,” Hill said.
“We partner with Butler County Human Services and the Lighthouse Foundation to provide everyday living items and furnishings for a female head of household who is transitioning into independent living from homelessness,” said Hill.
Soroptimist, which means best for women, is made up of business and professional women whose mission is to “improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and around the world.”
The club tries to assist women who have dependent children and sometimes a spouse who may be disabled by providing many of the comforts of home.
“We also work in conjunction with VOICe (Victim Outreach and Intervention Center),” Hill said. “To date we have furnished 18 apartments.”
The women raise funds through two events to support A Place to Lay My Head, scholarships for non-traditional women working to improve their lives with education and a number of other projects that support the community, such as making blankets for chemotherapy patients and sponsoring a Girl Scout troop.
The group is currently selling tickets for its January lottery fundraiser. Tickets are available from any Soroptimist member.
On April 6, the club will host its annual Spring Fling fundraising event at the Butler Country Club. In addition to a basket auction and lunch to raise money, the group honors a woman from the community for her service and a club member for her service work and presents its scholarship winners.
According to Hill, scholarship applications will soon be available for the coming year. Applicants must already be enrolled in an educational program.
In addition to its community service projects, the Butler group also will host the Soroptimist International's North Atlantic Region convention May 3 to 5 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Cranberry Township. More than 200 women from clubs in Delaware, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are expected.
The Butler chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Butler YMCA. Those interested in becoming a member should contact Hill at 724-321-1309.
