Soroptimist International of Quincy continues its holiday See’s Candies sale
By Roni Java
Special to Plumas News
Warm wishes and holiday cheer will ring out loud and clear this season in Plumas County and some of the happiest voices will be your local Soroptimist International of Quincy (SIQ) ladies.
Candy sales happening now
The club is holding its traditional See’s Candies fundraiser sale now through mid-December. All purchases benefit a variety of community services and events provided by local SIQ members.
Beginning Nov. 17, those delicious soft chocolates, nuts and chews, candy pops, nut brittles, holiday mints and much more are available at Quincy’s downtown Plumas Bank branch and the Great Northern Hair Company, 117 Redberg Avenue in East Quincy.
Some sale days may also take place at the Quincy Safeway over the next few weeks.
And you can always purchase your treats directly from local Soroptimist members or call SIQ candy coordinator Totsy at 283-0966 or Jo Ann at 283- 3302. Please place all pre-orders for Christmas by Dec. 3.
All sales benefit SIQ’s community causes
As many organizations have had to do to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus this year, the Soroptimist club members have held virtual meetings and temporarily suspended community activities that bring out large crowds.
However, the club is still organizing its scholarship programs and looking forward to resuming public events when it becomes safe to do so.
SIQ member Totsy Beck said the club misses holding its regular programs and celebrations for the community and the See’s Candies fundraiser will provide much-needed monies to move forward with the group’s planned benefits in the coming year. It will be the SIQ’s only 2020 fundraiser, she explained.
Wide range of community service projects benefit Plumas families thanks to SIQ
Members of the Soroptimist International of Quincy are loved throughout Plumas County for devoting themselves to public service projects. SIQ is best known for philanthropic efforts, sponsorships and scholarships including:
– Plumas County’s Annual Community Christmas Sing, held for 49 years as of December 2019. This program has also been co-sponsored by Feather Publishing Co., Inc. and is on hiatus this year due to the pandemic.
– The spring Local Women Making a Local Difference awards for community service.
– Live Your Dream scholarship program that awards a $1,000 cash grant to one local woman who is head of her household and working to further her education and/or training. This program allows winners to advance to regional and national levels for further awards. Since 1972, the program has disbursed more than $25 million to tens of thousands of women, helping them achieve their educational goals.
– Violet Richardson Service Award annually honors a young woman in grades 9 through 12 who attends high school in either Quincy or Portola (including public, private and charter schools). The award recognizes volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment; changing attitudes such as reducing bullying; or working to end discrimination and poverty.
– The wildly popular Easter Egg Hunt for children from toddlers through sixth grade at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds.
– Summer’s genteel Solstice Wine and Garden Tours.
– The Penny Pines memorial recognitions, garden maintenance and beautification at the downtown Triangle and many more local efforts.
Soroptimist, a great way to give back and new members are always welcome
SIQ members come from all walks of life and work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The club membership has also grown in recent years, especially before the pandemic emerged, and more new members are always welcome.
The Quincy group is a chapter of Soroptimist International of the Americas that is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1942. The organization (and its worldwide chapters) is a 501(c)(3) entity that relies upon charitable donations to support its programs.
Current Quincy Soroptimist officers include:
Julie Hagwood, President
Tracey Wixted, President-Elect
Michele Cruz, Recording Secretary
Ceci Reynolds, Correspondence Secretary
Susan Peters, Treasurer
Julie White, Assistant Treasurer
Sara Holman, First Director
Kimberly Pilkington, Second Director and
Mara Beatty, Delegate
Speaking at a past event prior to the pandemic, longtime SIQ member and former President Kris Miravalle said, “Our mission emphasizes service to women and children and we appreciate the support that the Plumas community gives us to help us hold our events, especially the awards and scholarships.”
“We are active women who represent a cross-section of the business, professional and economic life of our area,” she added. “We are women at their best, helping other women to be their best, and we sincerely appreciate the dedication of our volunteers and all those whom we will honor.”
For membership and other information, please “like” the https://www.facebook.com/soroptimistquincy/page and post a message. A club representative will get in touch with you soon.
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