Details
For almost 80 years, members of Richmond Soroptimist have worked to help women and girls in our community and beyond, while building lifelong friendships and having fun.
We invite you to give us a hand by joining us as an active member, a one-time volunteer, a guest at one of our events or as a donor.
Our group meets on Thursdays at the historic Rockefeller Lodge, 2640 Market Avenue, San Pablo, California. We meet the first four Thursdays each month at noon, from September through June. Lunch is served before the meeting commences. Each month, there is one business meeting. The other meetings include planning for events and enriching, educational programs.
Currently, we hold two fundraisers during the year; the Teddy Bear Tea in November and the Culinary Caper, Chef Show and Wine Tasting in April. The funds raised by these events are distributed to local community groups through a grant application process. In addition, annual awards are given to a woman who is sole support of her family and is furthering her education, a young woman who volunteers in the community and high school graduates who are heading to college.
Learn More about SI/Richmond
The Teddy Bear Tea
The Teddy Bear Tea on November 4 was wonderul! Rain disappeared and the sun came out to brighten the day. Adults and children were dressed in their finest tea party attire and enjoyed all of the acitivities of the day. We want to thank our guests for their generous support. Proceeds of this fundraiser will support the projects of groups in our community who work hard to provide important services.
26th Annual Culinary Caper
The 26th Annual Culinary Caper, Chef Show and Wine Tasting was a resounding success. Food selections were delicious, the auctions lively and the liquid refreshment - wine, craft beer and sparkling waters - pleased all. Guests enthusiastically enjoyed themselves and showed their generous support when participating in the live and silent auctions. We want to thank those food and beverage vendors that lavishly supplied us with their delicious contributions. Soroptimist International of Richmond members also want to thank all of our guests who supported this fundraiser. Through their generosity, we will be able to fund grants to community organizations to serve those in need. We are grateful for family and friends who are kind enough to help us with all the tasks it takes for an event like this to occur.
Lives We Impact
Over the years our fundraising efforts have allowed us to give grants to local community organizations that help people in need. Some of the groups which have recently received grants from us are: Bay Area Rescue Mission, Community Alliance for Learning (Writer Coach Connection), Contra Costa Family Justice Alliance, Dirt World (Bay Area BMXers), Early Childhood Mental Health, Pinole Community Players, The Quinan Street Project, Read Aloud Program, Richmond Art Center, Rosie The Riveter Trust, San Pablo Committee on Aging, West Contra Costa Salesian Boys and Girls Club, West County Adult Day/Alzheimer Respite Care Center, West County Reads, West Contra Costa YMCA/YMCA of the East Bay.
Awards
In addition to the grants we give out to community groups, there are three individual awards.
VIOLET RICHARDSON AWARD: A teenager (14-18 ) is honored for community service. Both she and the organization with which she is involved are awarded $1,000 each.
LIVE YOUR DREAM: This $5,000 award given by the SI/Richmond club assists a woman, who has the primary financial responsibility for her family, to obtain the skills, training and education necessary to improve her employment status and standard of living.
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS: In the spring, we will give four $5,000 scholarships to local high school graduating seniors who are heading to college.
Service Awards Luncheon November 15, 2018
At the Service Awards Luncheon, grant awards were given to local non-profits serving our community that were nominated and voted on by our members. After all of our fundraising hard work, it was very rewarding to hear the recipients share their plans for their grants. This year we awarded over $40,000 to 15 community organizations.
OUR CLUB
Soroptimist International of Richmond was founded in 1939, sponsored by Soroptimist of Berkeley, and led by Charter President Christina Cameron, who was the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. There were 18 charter members. Currently we have 28 members. Our club is part of Founder Region of Soroptimist International of the Americas.