Local Women's Organization Continues 75th Anniversary Celebration By Donating 75 Care Bags

Soroptimist International Peterborough (SIP) kept its 75th anniversary rolling by donating 75 care bags to One Roof Community Centre (ORCC) on Monday.

One Roof staff member (left) and Marnie Horton (right) unload the care bags at ORCC. SIP has roughly 40 members to empower and aid women all over Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The bags contain socks, underwear, personal grooming items, gift cards and feminine products. Some of the donated clothing were hand-knit from SIP members.

The organization chose items that would help women with basic needs according to Dorothy Macdonald, SIP club president.

"There's a good range of choices in there and hopefully there are ladies who will receive the bags will have some enjoyment out of them,” she said.”

Andrew MacGregor expressed his gratitude for the donation after being with the ORCC for less than a month.

"We're very grateful for the Soroptimists, the community and the extended community are always showing this amazing display of generosity," he said. "We're very grateful that they're able to support us this way."

Bags are received visiting ORCC and buzzing the front door. They are kept until all bags have been given out.

SIP also made donations to PARN and The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough on the same day.

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Soroptimist International Peterborough Donates to Five Community Partners on 75th Anniversary

It may be the 75th anniversary of Soroptimist International Peterborough (SIP) but they gave presents out by donating $1,000 cheques each to five organizations on Friday.

Soroptimist International of Peterborough (SIP) was chartered on November 17, 1945. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The donations went towards community partners of SIP to help women’s and girls’ lives through programs leading to economic and social empowerment.

Cameron House (Brock Mission), Elizabeth Fry Society, The Daughter Project Girls’ Home, YWCA Crossroads and Homeward Bound were the recipients of the donations including a commemorative plaque.

Joyce Fee, former SIP president said she was “certainly proud” of the organization to fund the five recipients.

The money acquired was possible through fundraising efforts such as special dinners, fashion shows and an affiliation with the local bingo hall according to Fee.

Mayor Diane Therrien has proclaimed the week of Oct. 3rd as ‘Soroptimist Week’ in Peterborough to acknowledge the 75th Anniversary of SIP and the 100th Anniversary of Soroptimist International.

SIP has over 40 members who work to make a difference in the lives of women and girls in our own community and around the world.

“We are mediators for then for the girls,” said Fee. “We give them tools to achieve their education and career goals. Empower them to break cycles, poverty, violence and abuse.”

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