On June 9, Soroptimist International of Sequim named Beverly Hoffman of Diamond Point as its 2015 Ruby Award winner.

In addition to receiving the award, Hoffman was given a check for $500 for Healthy Families of Clallam County.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who, through their professional or personal efforts, are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women or girls. Their work has had a significant impact and also inspires and encourages other women. Soroptimists say Hoffman is such a woman.

In 2007, Hoffman and her friend Judy Palumbo-Gates approached Healthy Families of Clallam County inquiring about sponsoring a family for Christmas. They received generic information — one boy, a teen-aged girl, a mom — nothing that helped them select special presents based on the needs or desires of the individuals. Hoffman began Holiday Joy the following year.

To make the program match individuals, Holiday Joy helpers make significant efforts to get more than 100 families (selected by the personnel of Happy Families) to fill out lists of desirable gifts, sizes and colors as well as a “dream present” for children and parents.

Central to the program is a Family Day where school-aged children would have a “store” with specific items for their moms (or dads). At the same event, moms or dads could pick out specific gifts for their children.

Since Holiday Joy began in 2007:

• 888 clients and children have been helped

• $88,854.98 worth of presents has been given

• More than 8,500 hours of community support have been donated.

Soroptimist International of Sequim has participated in Holiday Joy since 2009.