Soroptimists and their family and friends continue to find ways to support Ukrainian refugees through sister Soroptimist International organizations.
On March 10, Sequim club members wired $30,000 to the Soroptimist International Europe – Poland to help refugees with $10,000 coming from the Sequim club’s general fund and $20,000 from individual members.
As of April 25, the United Nations reports 5.2 million refugees fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion with nearly 3 million going to Poland since Feb. 24.
Cat Xander, president of the Sequim group, said after sending support donations, more community members said they didn’t donate in time, so club members considered another wire transfer.
“So our members and others were talking to friends and one of our members suggested a ‘10-by-10’ where 10 women give $10 bucks each, that’s another $100 bucks,” she said.
“Low and behold we came up with another 12,000 and we sent out a second wire for $12,730 on April 14.”
Xander said the response has been “absolutely amazing.”
“I reached out to friends and family in California, and pretty much everyone wanted to donate,” she said. “A lot of people have said ‘I wanted to donate but I didn’t know where.’”
Xander said they received a response from the Poland club that they’ve been using the funds.
“(Helping) reminded us we are an international organization,” she said.
“As much as we focus on supporting local women and girls, and with the medical loan closet here in Sequim, it’s also important to support international efforts.”
According to the Soroptimist’s website, the Poland campaign supports mostly women and children refugees with food, essential items, finding housing, and access to psychological, legal, and interpreter assistance. Read more about the group’s efforts at soroptimist-projects.org.
Back home
Soroptimist International of Sequim continues to support women and girls in Clallam County through scholarships and awards for teens and adults totaling more than $350,000.
Its Virtual Garden Show continues through May 1 with webinars and an auction at Sequimgardenshow.com.
The club’s medical loan closet has reopened with appointments made by leaving a message at 360-504-0231.
An exhibit on the club’s 75 year history is on display at the Sequim Museum and Art building, 544 N. Sequim Ave., too.
Read more about the Soroptimist International of Sequim at sisequim.org.
