Soroptimists Raise Thousands for Drogheda Charities

The Drogheda Soroptimists have raised nearly €6,000 for local charities over the past 12 months. Donations from the local branch have gone to the Drogheda Women’s and Children’s Refuge, the Drogheda Irish Wheelchair Association, and the Mosney Women’s Africa Appeal. Further money was also raised for international initiatives in Sierra Leone and Haiti.

Through holiday wreath making, coffee mornings, bag packing, and participating in the Women’s Mini Marathon – all members of the Drogheda Soroptimists contributed to giving back to their community.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. Soroptimists are committed to service for local, national, and international communities.

L-R: Dorothy Collins, incoming President of Drogheda Soroptimists and Geraldine Piggott, outgoing President of Drogheda Soroptimists, March 2011

Dorothy Collins, incoming President of Drogheda Soroptimists says “Soroptimists International is a vibrant, dynamic organisation for today’s professional women. We are committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide. However, this must first start locally. We are delighted that we have been able to give back to our own community.”

“We want to thank everyone who has contributed to the Drogheda Soroptimists’ efforts in helping to raise much needed funds for these inspiring local organisations. Together we can make a difference.”

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Pictures from International Women’s Day 2011

Senator David Norris in deep discussion with Breda Earley and Olive Maher, Drogheda Soroptimist members, at the Network Louth International Women’s Day lunch on International Women’s Day (8th March).

Senator David Norris with Breda Earley and Olive Maher, at the Network Louth International Women’s Day lunch on International Women’s Day (8th March).

SOROPTIMIST FUNDRAISING FOR WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION

Oliver Murphy, Wheelchair Association of Ireland, accepted a cheque for €1000 from Geraldine Piggott, President of Drogheda Soroptimists, at their meeting on Tuesday night last.

Making the presentation, Geraldine said that the Soroptimists were delighted make a contribution towards the current half-million euro fundraising effort of the Association and also to recognise Oliver as one its founder members.

The photograph shows Geraldine Piggott, with Oliver Murphy and (back row) Margaret Geraghty, Maria Callaghan and Mary Hession.

SOROPTIMIST PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

Students from several local schools participated last Saturday in the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition.

In this, the 29th year of the Competition, speakers were asked to consider topics of local and international importance in the development of women in our society. Topics such as the European Union, International Goodwill and Understanding, Education and the Status of Women in modern society were all addressed by the participants, who had carefully prepared their speeches to persuade the audience to their point of view.

The two winners to go forward from this round to the Regional Competition, which will be held in Ballinasloe in February, are Caitlyn Paclibar, from our Lady’s College, Greenhills and Emma Cooke, Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan.

Soroptimist AGM on 16th March 2010

Soroptimists AGM was held on 16th March 2010.

Out going President Margaret Geraghty thanked the members for their dedication and commitment to the club during the year. She welcomed In coming President Ger Piggott and Presented her with the Chain of Office.
President Ger will hold this office until the AGM in March 2011.

7 members of the Drogheda club joined their new Friendship club SI Lisburn and District on a visit to Aras an Uachtaran on 14th April where they met President Mary Mc Aleese. The President congratulated the Soroptimists on their achievements over the years and their ability to reach out to others at local, national and international level. She was especially pleased that we had formed a cross border link with Lisburn.

At present we are preparing for the Flora Womens Mini Marathon.

Successful bag pack in Tesco

Drogheda Soroptimists did a bag pack in Tesco, Donore Road on 13th March.
This was their first Fund Raising event for their National Charity Cystic Fibrosis.
The event raised €650.00. 90% of this will be returned to the local charity.

Money Raised in Christmas Wreath Appeal 2009

Money raised through the Soroptimist Annual Christmas Wreath Appeal was donated to the recipient charities on 16th February 2010.

Wreaths are made each year by the Soroptimists in their own homes and, in 2009, reflecting the Soroptimist international focus, some wreaths were also made in the Reception Centre in Mosney.

Sold directly to returning customers, and through the kind support of Our Lady of Lourdes’ Hospital and local retailers, a total of €2500 was raised, with €1000 being donated to Drogheda Women’s Refuge, €1000 to the Soroptimist Haiti Appeal and €500 being donated on behalf of the women in Mosney to their charity in Ethiopia.

Cheques were presented to Sara McAllister and Kevin Callan on behalf of Women’s Refuge, to the National President of Soroptimist International, Pat Braiden and to Jane Spearman and Yamina, Sarah, Jaqueline, Sohalia and Khalida from the women’s group in Mosney.

Local Public Speaking Winners 2010

With the objective of a trip to the European Parliament for the National winner firmly in their sights, seven young women competed in the local heats of the  Soroptimist Public Speaking competition in Drogheda this weekend.  This stage of the  competition was hosted, as usual, by Our Lady’s College, Greenhills.

It was a most enjoyable afternoon with seven speakers and their enthusiastic supporters and families making up a very lively audience.

Public Speaking Competition 2010 - Local Winners

Representatives from five schools in the area, these speakers had researched and presented thoughtful speeches on topics, crucial to the development of women in the modern world and supported through the work of Soroptimism –  Education, the Environment, the European Union, Health and Human Rights.

Caitlyn Elisha Paclibar from Our Lady’s College, Greenhills and Lindsay Pulsford from Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan are the two winners who will go forward to represent this region in the next stage of the competition, to be held in Mullingar early in February.

Public Speaking Competition 2010

Local Final
When: 23rd January 2010
Where: Our Lady’s Secondary School, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Regional Final
When: 6th February 2010
Where: Bloomfield House, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

National Final
When: 6th March 2010
Where: Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Calendar of Events – 1st Quarter 2010

The calendar of events for January to May 2010 are:

• SI Wexford Luncheon – 17th January (Ferrycarraig Hotel)
• SI Dublin Coffee Morning – 23rd January
• Public Speaking Competition – 23rd January (this is the starting date for the finals)
• Soroptimists 2nd National Association Meeting – 30th January (Aisling Hotel, Parkgate St., Dublin 8 )
• Carers Weekend – 26th – 28th February (Radisson Hotel, Galway)
• Public Speaking Final – 6th March (Tralee)
• Club AGM – 16th March 2010 (Venue TBC)
• Soroptimists 3rd National Association Meeting – 27th March (Aisling Hotel, Parkgate St., Dublin 8 )
• SI Dublin President’s ‘Late Luncheon’ – 25th April (Howth Yacht Club)
• Joint North/South Conference – 7th to 9th May (Shamrock Lodge Country House Hotel, Athlone)