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Soroptimist International of Kona
Projects Through the Years 1971-2005
1971-1981 The club sponsored a Festival of Trees at the Kona Surf for ten years. During that time they raised funds totaling over $80,000. The monies were used in the community for several projects, including furnishing an ambulance and providing additional auxiliary equipment, purchasing several pieces of equipment for Kona Hospital (including a transport incubator and an infant respirator), sponsoring children in the Honolulu Special Olympics, and the start of building on a tot lot at the old Kona airport.
In the first ten years of the clubs existence, Soroptimist International of Kona won the regional service award and the Mayor’s award for service. Members attended Federation Conventions and Chartered a Venture Club. Club member Frances Sueco was appointed by the Federation to be Director of the newly formed Hawaii and Guam District and was charged with the responsibility of chartering Soroptimist International of Guam. Another club member, Mabel Peterson, was later elected to the Founder Region Board as the Director representing the District encompassing Hawaii and Guam.
1981-1991 Formal Club Procedures were written, the tot lot was completed, the Kealakehe Student Citizenship Award for community service was started, the Club helped sponsor the West Hawaii Youth Council and the first Christmas Parade in Kona. A young local girl, Erika Kearns was hit by a car while walking along a road in Kona. She was paralyzed and hospitalized. In cooperation with the Elks Lodge and community donations, Soroptimists presented $20,000 to provide for the purchase of an Eye Gaze Response Interface Computer Aid, known as ERIKA, which allowed Erika Kearns to communicate through a computer. Club members volunteered time to clean the Women’s Shelter and provided additional assistance during it’s first years. Soroptimist International of Kona began a many year commitment to provide assistance during the Ironman Triathlon. Fund raising activities included See’s Candy Sales, a food booth at the Ironman, a fashion show and Las Vegas Night.
Years 10 through 20 of Soroptimist International of Kona saw Virginia Isbell elected to the House of Representatives for the state of Hawaii, Dorothy Palmer was awarded the Mayor’s Service Award, Maggie Spinney Penrose was presented the Women of the Year Award for 1989 by the American Business Women’s Association and Evelyn Davis began the club’s participation in the Federation’s Youth Citizenship and Training Awards. Suzanne Gillam brought the Women of Distinction Awards to the Club, Soroptimists provided a board member for the newly formed “Friends of the Children’s Advocacy”, and the club began it’s annual participation with Super Kids. Members attended Federation Conventions, Founder Region Conferences and District Meetings.
1991-2001 The club continued it's participation in parades, the Friends of the Children’s Advocacy, Super Kids, Women of Distinction Awards, Youth Citizenship and Training Awards, the Kealakehe Citizenship Award and the Ironman Triathlon. In addition, the club supported and worked with Kona Literacy, participated in workplace campaigns to end domestic violence, worked with the American Association of University Women to put on the GEMS project to encourage young girls to continue their education and interest in Science and Mathematics. and provided speakers and facilitators to put on Financial Information Programs in Cooperation with AARP. The club began participation in the annual Community Affair, providing an information booth. Soroptimists filled a wish list from the West Hawaii Family Crisis Shelter and Teddy Bears and personal hygiene bags were provided for the Children’s Advocacy Center. Club members participated in several annual beach and roadside clean up campaigns. Hosanna’s House received donations of money and supplies from club members. Donations are made annually to the Founder Region Fellowship, Inc., the Soroptimist Foundation and the Federation and International Soroptimist Projects. Fund raising activities included See’s Candy sales, Huggo’s Rib sales, serving food at store grand openings, garage and rummage sales and Las Vegas night.
Years 20 through 30 saw a growth in club membership and a growth in the club’s participation on a Region, Federation and International level. The Kona Club hosted two District Meetings during this ten year period. Mary Huebner was elected to a two year term to the Founder Region Board as the District Director and then elected to a two year term as the Founder Region Secretary. The Kona club web site was established and two Kona club members served successively as regional webmasters. Separate District Leadership Training as conducted for the first time and President’s Round Tables brought the Club Presidents closer together. The District grew to include all of the Marianas. Debra Steiger won the District Training Award, representing the Kona Club. Soroptimist clubs in Maui and Hawaii were recognized for their community service by the Mayors of both counties. Efforts to charter a club in Waimea were unsuccessful and the new millennium saw the disbanding of the Hilo Club. The millennium also brought the election of Julie Kamanawa-Kala to the Founder Region Board as our District Director. Club members attended District meetings, Founder Region Conferences, Federation Conventions and International Conventions.
2002-2005 In May of 2002, Soroptimist International of Kona hosted the Founder Region Conference at the Keauhou Beach Hotel. The club hosted Soroptimists from Northern California, Guam, the Marianas, and the Hawaiian Islands. During the next few years the club continued it’s participation in the Women’s Opportunity Awards, Violet Richardson Awards and Youth Citizenship Awards. The membership reached it’s highest count at 42 members. The club was recognized by Soroptimist International for the Domestic Violence “Break The Cycle” Dinner Dance. The hard work and organization of the members from SI Kona got the attention as an event that could easily be replicated by other Soroptimist clubs. The funds raised through garage sales, See’s Candy Sales and the “Break The Cycle” Dinner, Dance, and Silent Auction in the past few years have helped bring awareness to Domestic Violence. The funds have supported the Women’s Shelter, Turning Point for Families, The Children’s Justice Center, Kealakehe High School Citizenship Class, and Aloha Theatre’s Teen Performing Arts against violence in schools. The club also hosted the District Meeting for Founder Region District VI in 2005.
Years 30 through 35 saw a growth in club membership and a growth in the club’s participation on a Region, Federation and International level. The Kona Club hosted the Founder Region Conference and a District Meetings during this five year period. Jennifer Rush served as Public Awareness Chair for Founder Region in which Founder Region received an award for her innovative Public Awareness Award campaign. Mary Huebner served as the Membership chair. Diane Allen continued as regional webmaster and redesigned the Founder Region site a second time. Club members attended District meetings, Founder Region Conferences, and the International Convention in Australia.
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