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FYI News Quarterly Edition 1: July 2024
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor | | | |
Welcome to our first newsletter: Follow Your Investment News highlighting projects made possible by your generosity. | |
We are the local club of a world-wide service organization whose mission provides women and girls with access to the education and training needed to achieve economic empowerment. We also provide ferry tickets through our Cancer Treatment Transportation Fund and contribute to food security and women safe haven initiatives plus other programs. | |
2024 Cancer Treatment Transportation Fund | |
The Cancer Treatment Transportation Fund has become one of Soroptimists' signature projects.
Because islanders with cancer struggle to get to the mainland for treatment, Soroptimists began buying ferry tickets in 2018 for those individuals and their caregivers. This provides one less worry and one less barrier to get the medical attention they need. We are also fortunate to partner with the San Juan Eagles who fly cancer patients to their appointments. | | | |
We have been chosen to participate in the upcoming SJI Cares grant campaign with the goal to raise $5000. Funds raised will cover increased program costs (based on the last 5-year trend) and allow us to expand the program to patients seeking treatment at PeaceHealth-Friday Harbor from the other San Juan islands.
See SJI Cares button for details on how to support our campaign. SJICF will match the first $1000 we raise! | | | |
FYI: when we started the program in March 2018, 215 car/driver (c/d) ferry passes were used (plus a caregiver passenger most of the time). The 2019 ridership increased 19% from our debut year. The pandemic significantly reduced travel in 2020/2021 but then jumped back to 230 c/d passes used in 2022. 2023 experienced a huge 38% surge to 308 c/d passes being used. 2024 ridership is on track to surpass last year; we're estimating 330 c/d passes based on the current rate of 165 passes used through June 2024. Total program cost from March 2018 through June 2024 is approximately $79K. | |
2024 Educational Opportunity Award Recipients | |
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In March, we announced the recipients of the 2024 Educational Award. A total of $3000 was awarded between these two deserving young women. | |
Ana Rivera is studying towards a Bachelor of Science in psychology through online classes at Grand Canyon University. She is working with students at Friday Harbor Elementary School and has a long-term goal of working with children in a therapy or counseling setting.
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Juliet Livingston is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and Development to keep preschools open or reopen the ones that closed. Juliet loves working with children and watching them grow and learn. With this degree, she wants to continue to watch children's minds develop and nurture their curiosity. | | | |
2024 Fellowship Award Recipient | |
Also in March, Frankie Thomas was awarded the $3000 Fellowship Award. She currently works for the San Juan Island Library as the Adult Programs Associate, planning enrichment programs such as cultural presentations, film screenings and more for no cost to community members. She is passionate about the role that libraries play in fostering connected, resilient communities and is planning to attain her Master's degree in Library and Information Studies. | | | |
2024 High School Scholarships Recipients | |
At the Friday Harbor High School Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, June 8, 2024, Soroptimists awarded four $2000 awards and one $3000 award.
The award winners are Adriana Guerrero, Ava Martin, Ella Raichlen, Grace Eltinge & Maria Magana-Navarro (listed alphabetically).
We are very proud of these young women and know they will make the world a better place as they pursue their goals. | |
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In early 2024, Soroptimist Int'l of Friday Harbor partnered with the Rotary Club of San Juan Island and contributed $10,500 to support their 36 Weekends program.
This program offers meals for weekends to children who receive free or partially funded lunches during the school year out of concern for these children who miss those meals on weekends and school holidays. | | | |
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Fresh Bucks is a San Juan Island program (sponsored by Nourish to Flourish) that helps those who are income qualified to buy more nutritious food. Those eligible receive $40 in Fresh Bucks to spend on locally grown fresh produce, meat, eggs, and other SNAP-eligible foods when shopping at the San Juan Island Farmers Market. A win-win situation for island residents and farmers. The program was paused in 2022 and 2023. Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor contributed $6,000 to help the program resume on Memorial Weekend. | | | |
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SPONSORS of Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor | |
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Your generosity has greatly benefited our community. Thank you sponsors, donors, and patrons! | |
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Contact Us: supporting@sifri.org | |
You are receiving this email because you participated in past fundraising events and/or contributed funds to our online support site. | |
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