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Soroptimist International of Redding January 2014—Volume 14
Issue 2
Mardi Gras 2014
January 25th from 7-11pm
Redding Civic Auditorum
Meet this year’s King and Queen Nominees
Chris Gomez, KRCR News Channel 7
Chris has lived in Shasta County for 24 of his
31 years. Most notably recognized for being in local television commercials, he is also
active in local theater and
has been a member of the
Redding Improv Players for
five years. He is a talented
writer who has written for
both radio and stage productions. He has
made a career in broadcast media for 14
years, starting first in radio and currently
with KRCR News Channel 7. Chris enjoys
working with charities such as The American
Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Soroptimist International of Redding’s annual Mardi
Gras. He is most proud of his work with One
Safe Place and their annual Dancing With
The Stars Shasta County Style, where he has
served as stage manager for the past five
years, with the exception of 2012 when he
competed in the show as a Star himself.
Thank you Chris for accepting the nomination
for Mardi Gras King in 2014 and for all you do
in our community.
Kim Gelms, current President of the
Active 20-30 Club
Kim serves on the GNRM
steering committee. She
was recently nominated
for the Record Searchlight’s 2014 “20 under
40” class. Kim earned
her BA degree in Business Admn. with a minor in Health Care Admn., while working as a
cosmetologist at Beaux Cheveux Day Salon.
She also mentors other cosmetology students.
As a Redding resident, Kim enjoys many of
the outdoor activities found in our north
state. She is looking forward to the 6th annual Redding Active 20-30 Sundial Film Festival. Thank you Kim for your acceptance as
2014 Mardi Gras Queen nominee.
Mike Quinn, KLXR Radio, 1230 AM
Mike has owned KLXR for 14
years. Mike works hard to
support several non-profits in
our community, “Think Pink”,
“Relay for life”, continued pg 2
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SOROPTOPICS
Soroptimist of Redding’s Breast Cancer
Awareness Luncheon, Mardi Gras, Older
Adult Council, Sierra Cascade Logging Conference, One Safe Place, Good News Rescue
Mission, “Kool April Nights”, Turtle Bay, The
Asphalt Cowboys, and the Redding Rodeo Association. Mike enjoys being the Master of
Ceremonies for “The Soup Kitchen”; a fundraiser (Power to the Seniors) that raises
funds to pay senior’s power bills who otherwise couldn’t afford. Power to the Seniors
also encourages and educates seniors how to
best insulate their home to lower the cost of
heating and cooling.
Thank you Mike for joining the fun by accepting our 2014 Mardi Gras King nomination.
Mimi Moseley, Moseley Family Cellars, “The
Tasting Room”
Mimi in her own words is
“Crazy about Redding”. Since
she and her husband moved
to the North State, Mimi has
been actively involved in
striving to better her community. She serves on the executive board of the
Downtown Redding Business Association.
She volunteers and sponsors many charitable
institutions. Mimi has been involved in several projects that help better the lives of women and girls through “Once Safe Place” as
their head chef for the first “Camp Hope” to
helping spread the word to stop “Human
Trafficking “ on the I5 corridor. Thanks Mimi
for your participation in our 2014 Mardi Gras
celebration. We appreciate you!
Vote now at
SoroptimistRedding.com
Voting ends at midnight January 24th
Buy your tickets early and attend the
2014 Mardi Gras January 25th!
January 2014
Ken White, Director of Development, One Safe Place
Ken White has been actively
involved in the Redding and
Shasta County community
during his 35 years
here. Ken’s passion for
our area encouraged his engagement with organizations
such as the Rotary Club of
Redding, Shasta County
Young Farmers and Ranchers, Youth for
Christ, CareNet and Providence International. Ken’s career in politics and financial services led to stints with companies such as
Charles Schwab and Morgan Stanley and political positions with two California State Senators, a U.S. Congressman and the Director of
the Governor’s Policy Council on Drug and
Alcohol Abuse. In 2008 Ken became the Director of Development for the Good News Rescue Mission and in 2012 assumed the same
role with One SAFE Place, formerly known as
the Shasta Women’s Refuge and Family Justice
Center. Thank you Ken for accepting the 2014
Mardi Gras King nomination and for your
dedication to our community.
Jan Skipitis, Entrepreneur
Jan moved to Redding in 1982.
She became part of the Redding community by joining
Medical Alliance and becoming their president 3 years later and went on to becoming
district counselor, with an emphasis on a program that still exists today,
“Smoke-free California “ Jan’s fundraising
skills came in handy helping various causes,
Coats for Christmas, Kids Kingdom, the Pencil
Project,, et.. “Hat’s, Heels, and Handbags,
which benefits the victims of domestic violence, is very dear to her heart. Her mission
statement is “Empowering women and girls
through education and self-reliance”. Her
first children’s book, “Goats in the Kitchen”
will be published this year. Thank you Jan
for being a 2014 Mardi Gras Queen nominee.
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SOROPTOPICS
January 2014
Marie’s Auction!
WalMart Project!
SIR hosted another successful “Marie’s Auction on November 12th. Each year we set
aside one Tuesday Luncheon in November to
raise funds for club service projects and funds
for our members to travel to the annual Regional Conference held in Reno, Nevada. Our
lovely auctioneer, Leslie Morgan is assisted by
Jennifer Harris in
displaying the items
and soliciting the
highest bid. It’s a
fun way to spend an
hour raising money!
Items purchased by
club members benefit the travel fund while
items purchased by guests benefit our service
projects. The
room was
filled to capacity with
willing bidders. The
auction items
are donated by members and/or guests. Many
left with smiles for
being the winning
bidder on their
favorite items.
This past summer the SI Downtown Redding
Club decided to offer their
famed WalMart project to us.
We have worked out a fantastic relationship whereby both
clubs can do the project together for a win/win outcome. Rose Worthington
heads up the committee and
makes sure there are members available to pick
up the merchandise and that it is being distributed to non-profit agencies. Pick ups are twice
weekly in the early AM. Goods are packed in
member vehicles and taken to a sorting location.
Once sorted, they are delivered or picked up by
the agencies. It is a very worthwhile project and
a huge commitment for the clubs. We are very
fortunate to have members who are willing to
step up and make sure projects like this will continue. During the holidays it was not uncommon
to have up to 11 shopping carts in one day that
needed to be sorted and transported to the end
users. Thank you Rose and your committee for
your dedication to Soroptimist and this project!
Thank you WalMart for your generousity towards those in need within our community!
Others remained friends
after a friendly bidding war for the prized rum
cake! At the end
of the event, all
agreed it was a
great time of fun
and fundraising.
Here’s to you Marie as your tradition lives on! Thanks to all who attended and
participated in the event.
January SOROPTOPICS
We have an Honorary Member!
Reserve Specialist, Medic Tammy
Walker was inducted into SIR as an
Honorary Member for the 2013-2014 year. This is in
response to the Women Honoring Women Who
Serve campaign which has been embraced by our
Region. Tammy is a single military mom. This project focuses on our appreciation of service women
and holds them out as examples for others. Historically the military, especially women, have been underappreciated. Members of the Sierra Nevada Region believe recognition of this
particular group of women to be
worthwhile on so many levels.
This is part of a yearlong celebration recognizing active or retired
servicewomen in our communities.
Welcome Tammy!
Editor Cherrel Kirkland
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SOROPTOPICS
And we have more new members!
Also on December 3rd we inducted our new
member Jaime Taylor. Jaime is married with a
daughter. She enjoys
bike riding, hiking and
going to shows. She is
an Assistant Vice President and loan officer at
Redding Bank of Commerce. She was born
and raised in Shasta County. She is a 2010
Leadership Redding graduate and has established and directed a new Girl Scout group.
She has joined our group to become more involved and make a difference in a positive
manner for the community. Welcome Jaime!
On December 17th two more new members
were inducted
into SIR by
Vice President
Rose
Worthington.
On the right is Emilie Reedy who sponsored
Laurie Alexander. Laurie is married with
one daughter. She enjoys making jewelry,
barrel racing and horses. She is in direct
marketing with Super Nutrient Company.
Laurie has lived in Shasta Co for 28 years
and came here from Sacramento. She was
the 1st chairperson for Chic' s and Chaps
and is also active in NorCal Think Pink and
the Redding Rodeo Association. Laurie has
joined our group to be more involved in our
community and help those in need. Welcome Laurie!
On the left is Connie Strohmayer who sponsored Pam Mize. Pam has a daughter and
enjoys traveling and reading. She has lived
in Shasta County for 19 years. Pam is the
City Clerk for the City of Redding. She is a
member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Pam admires the work we do for
the community especially Breast Cancer
Awareness. Welcome Pam!
January 2014
President Sherry accepts a
check from Chris Brea of the
Tierra Oaks Pink Ball Golf
Tournament in the amount
of $14,500 for our mammogram fund. Thank you so
much for helping us provide
mammograms for those who
cannot otherwise afford this vital screening.
Early detection and treatment does save
lives!
Message from President Sherry Hoyer
Happy New Year to my fellow Sisters. We are half way
through my whirlwind term as President! We’ve had a
successful 16th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon. In addition to our luncheon, The Pink Ball Golf
Tournament raised $14,500 to continue
to advertise and supplement the Mammogram Fund. For the first time ever
we “womaned” the Think Pink Booth at
the Sundial Bridge Event. Thanks to
chairs Lorraine, Cherrel and Connie.
Another First, under direction of event
chair, Linda Jee, was making the holidays the best possible for our families in Domestic Violence. The First Camp Hope 2013 Holiday Party, held at
the Redding Elks Lodge, featured lunch, games, clowns,
balloons, presents, and a Blue Santa (Policeman Dan
Kupsky and past Mardi Gras 2012 King). More than 200
attendees including 85 Camp Hope campers and their
families made for a spectacular season event. Many families left with giant bags of presents and were intent on
sharing their new bounty of gifts with their neighbors.
We are Fast and Furious in planning and coordinating
our 42nd Annual Mardi Gras at the Redding Civic Auditorium on January 25. Event Chair, Christy Wright,
and her committee are making great strides toward success. King and Queen candidates have been introduced
and the race has begun. The crowning of the winners
will be at 8:30 PM on the center stage. Please plan to
attend this fabulous event and bring ALL of your friends.
I sincerely appreciate all members who have stepped up
to chair an event and/or committee. We welcome four
new members; Veronica Johnson, Jaime Taylor, Pamela
Mize, and Laurie Alexander. I guarantee we will utilize
your efforts in making a Difference in the lives of women
and girls.
Thank you for Sharing your Time and Talents.
Sherry Hoyer, President 2013-2014
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SOROPTOPICS
SIR Celebrates the
holidays with our annual Christmas Party!
Linda Jee and Polly
Yount Smidt put together a wonderful Christmas luncheon party and
gift exchange for SIR
members at Marie
Callendar’s on December 10th. After a lovely
lunch complete with pie,
we happily picked, exchanged and stole the gifts
brought by members. Lyn
Brophy shows off her gift
and hopes no one decides
to steal it away from her!
We took advantage of
a group Christmas
photo before heading
off for more shopping!
Happy Holidays!
January 2014
Thanks To Our Advertisers
Sherry Hoyer, President
Lorraine Ramsden, Store Manager
1894 Churn Creek Rd, Redding
530-221-9898
Theresa M Nachman
Financial Advisor
530-246-8134
Care Net Executive Director Shelly Gibbs
visits SIR on December 17th
Shelly and Advocate Director
Karen Hofer brought us important information about their
local non-profit agency. Care
Net is a volunteer based organization which offers assistance to
women, men and families who
are experiencing unplanned pregnancies. They
have many programs and services including
classes in nutrition, parenting, finance and other
life skills. They offer counseling, mentoring,
referrals for medical care, social services and
adoption to name a few. Shelly has a 10 year
history with the Redding Care Net as a former
client, volunteer and board member. She is a
single mother and is passionate about her desire
to steward this generation to get their needs met
in heathy ways and t live life abundantly. For
more information about this vital organization
visit them on the web at www.carenetnorcal.org
www.EdwardJones.com
BRE 01011716
www.CherrelKirkland.com
530-510-9988
“Striving for your successful real
estate transaction”
Jaime Taylor
Assistant Vice President
Loan Officer NMLSR#810625
530-244-8129
jaimet@reddingbankofcommerce.com
Soroptimist International of Redding
P.O. Box 990762
Redding, CA. 96099-0762
(530) 243-6684
sirdist6@hotmail.com
www.SoroptimistRedding.com
US Postage
Please Deliver to:
“Improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world!”
2013/2014 Board of Directors
For current events and information about
our scholarships, projects and events
Sherry Hoyer, President
Rose Worthington, President Elect
Rhonda Franklin, Vice President
Christy Wright, Recording Secretary
Jennifer Harris, Corresponding Secretary
Taen Saetuern, Treasurer
Linda Haines, Treasurer Elect
Polly Yount Smidt, Director 1 Year
Linda Jee, Director 2 Year
Lorraine Ramsden, Immediate Past Pres.
Be Sure To Visit Us on The Web
Meetings are held each Tuesday at Noon at
the Red Lion Inn
1830 Hilltop Dr., Redding
Meetings include lunch and program unless
the scheduled meeting is a business meeting
Prospective members are encouraged to
join us. Lunch cost is $17. Please call Rose
Worthington at 243-7961 and visit us soon!
www.SoroptimistRedding.com
January 7
January 14
January 21
January 25
January 28
February 4
February 11
February 18
February 25
Calendar
Business Meeting
Stop Human Trafficking
Mardi Gras Wrap Up
Mardi Gras!
Damsels in Distress
Business Meeting
SOLT Meeting
Evening Awards Dinner
Black History
Newsletter Editor, Cherrel Kirkland
sirdist6@hotmail.com