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Bell Ringing for The Salvation Army
Since 1986, SIGS has rung the bell to support The Salvation Army and its relentless efforts to help communities locally, domestically and worldwide. This is our longest running service project to date. We are proud of our association with the Red Kettle movement and look forward to sharing the spirit of the holiday season for many years to come!
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| Women's Empowerment
Women's Empowerment educates and empowers women who are homeless with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children. SIGS has a very close, long standing relationship with this organization. Their community services embody everything that Sorpotimist stands for. Our proactive efforts to promote Women's Empowerment is accomplished by our annual holiday stocking program, co-hosting the annual Women's Empowerment Crafts Party, SIGS own unique Hidden Support for their "Job Readiness" graduates and other various volunteer opportunities. We even helped Women's Empowerment move to their new location in February 2013! Women's Empowerment is determined to "Stamp out Homelessness!" and SIGS is right beside them to help find the solution that will make this a reality!
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Other Community Service Projects
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Snack-n-Sew:
SIGS involves itself with other community service and outreach programs by utilizing the sewing talents of our membership. SIGS donates handmade sacks to the Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento. Our purpose is to provide the children with something unique to pack their few belongings in as opposed to a plastic trash bag. To date, SIGS has donated over 500 handmade sacks and we're just getting started. Imagine the possibilities in the years to come!
SIGS Snack-n-Sew also provides Hidden Support, another SIGS community service project, with handmade totes used for presenting new undergarments to the "Job Readiness" graduates of Women's Empowerment. To date, these garment filled totes have been handed out to over 400 graduates. For every graduate that compleates the "Job Readiness" program, a little Hidden Support will be waiting for them on the other side. Additionally, Snack-n-Sew provides handmade holiday stockings and precut fleece scarves of various sizes for the Women's Empowerment Crafts Party. The holiday stockings are fillled with donated gifts for both the graduates and their children. The precut fleece scarves represent one of many craft stations that the graduates and their families can create unique and special gifts for one another. To date, SIGS has prepared nearly 300 precut scarves and over 400 holiday stockings.
The Snack-n-Sew team makes these precious sacks, totes, stockings and scarves based on one's availability throughout year. While sewing skills are welcome, it is certainly not required. SIGS' Snack-n-Sew is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our community. Last year, we collected gently used holiday cards and repurposed them to make gift tags for the Women's Empowerment Crafts Party gift wrapping station.
Whether you have a flare for crafty projects or simply wish to get your feet wet with an at-home project, feel free to inquire about Snack-n-Sew by contacting our Service Chair at: service@sacramentosoroptimists.org. Let's 'Have Fun, Get It Done!'
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Hidden Support:
SIGS Hidden Support project was created as an extension of the Women's Empowerment "Job Readiness" program. Once a graduate completes the eight week re-entry course, she is given a voucher to the local thrift store to buy clothes appropriate for job interviews. Since thrift stores do not carry bras and panties, SIGS Hidden Support provides new undergarments to each graduate. These new undergarments are presented discreetly in handmade tote bags made by Snack-n-Sew; another SIGS community service project. Our purpose is to help the graduates' new clothes both look and fit nicely.
One graduate, upon receiving her Hidden Support, admitted very emotionally, “this is the first new bra I have had in ten years!”
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Luncheons for Crisis Nursery (North):
SIGS is honored to host luncheons for the children at the Crisis Nursery (North).
By providing a well balanced meal to these children, SIGS hopes to promote awareness for the benefits of healthy eating.
Lunch is served!
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Valentines Brunch for Mustard Seed:
SIGS gives from the heart by hosting a Valentines brunch for the children at Mustard Seed. In addition to brunch, Valentines inspired goodies and crafts are provided giving the children an opportunity to make special Valentines for family and friends.
If you only have one smile in you give it to the people you love. ~Maya Angelou
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Bra Recycling:
This community service project, which originated last year as a collaborative project among the entire Sierra Nevada Region, is literally close to the chest. Have you ever considered the amount of foam, plastic, metal and fabric that occupies our landfills? Honestly, neither did we. This year, we will continue collecting new and gently used bras for women and young girls and offer them to Women's Empowerment and St. John's Shelter as both organizations support women in their transition and re-entry into a self-sufficient lifestyle.
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