Soroptimist International of Vacaville’s first-ever “Rocktoberfest,” will showcase the talents of local chefs and musicians in a fun evening of food and entertainment focused at raising funds to empower women and girls.

Award-winning Hank & Hazel’s will provide the sausages and Pure Grain Bakery will have apple strudel and pretzels fit for a beer garden, right in Ulatis Community Center. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host bar serving beer and wine on Saturday, Oct. 22. Dancing will follow dinner to the music of local band Helios.

There will be silent, dessert and live auctions, featuring everything from unique works of art and tasty treats to fine wine and exotic excursions.

The dinner and auction proceeds benefit Soroptimists’ projects, which include scholarships, awards for women and girls working to make the community a better place, according to Soroptimist Co-President Linda Johnson. It also supports S Clubs in local high schools and the Dream Maker, a program that works with at-risk women to build confidence and self-esteem.

“We’re excited to have our fall fundraiser back in person, after the long pandemic,” said Soroptimist Co-President Sharon Marcacci. “Tickets are $55 per person and will sell out, so be sure to purchase in advance.”

For information, to buy tickets or to donate to the auctions, visit https://givebutter.com/rocktoberfest.

Sponsorships are also available starting at $150 and a table of eight can be purchased with a $1,000 sponsorship. Contact Co-President Sharon Marcacci at SoroptimistPresSharon@yahoo.com for details.

Soroptimist International of Vacaville was chartered in 1960 and is a volunteer service organization dedicated to providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.

With a theme of “Honoring Tradition, Embracing Growth,” Vacaville residents Linda Johnson and Sharon Marcacci will take the reins as co-presidents of Soroptimist International of Vacaville for the 2022-2023 term. It is the first time in the organization’s 62-year history that two presidents have served jointly.

The nonprofit international organization dedicated to making the community and the world a better place for women and girls selected Dawn Shepherd to take the role of vice president/president-elect, Sandy Esparza as recording secretary, Bridgit Strachan as corresponding secretary, Yolanda Williams as treasurer and Vicki Nash as assistant treasurer.

Serving in the two-year director role will be Diane Barney while Yvonne Thrasher will take the one-year director duties. The two-year delegate will be Clara Oakes and one-year delegate will be Mary Dickey. The two-year alternate delegate is Donna Fox. Jill Hunter will serve as parliamentarian.

New officers were installed during a special ceremony led by Jill Hunter at Turkovich Winery on June 14. Soroptimist International of Vacaville was chartered in 1960 and will celebrate its 62nd birthday on Aug. 20.

For more information about SI Vacaville, visit VacavilleSoroptimist.org or find us on Facebook.

Soroptimist International of Vacaville presented a scholarship, several awards and celebrated others at a reception at the Vacaville Museum May 17.

Emma Abbate, a senior at Vanden High School, was this year’s S Club Scholarship winner.

She is ranked 13 out of 371 seniors and has a GPA of 4.38. She’s majoring in biology and plans to pursue a career in biotech or medicine.

Emma has been in the S Club since she was a sophomore and has served as president the last two years. She’s involved in the honor society, is a performer with the Vacaville Ballet, and has a heart for community service.

Soroptimists also used the evening to honor some of their own.

Past President Mary Dickey earned the prestigious Laurel Society award, which was presented by President Jackie DeVries. A donation of $1,000 in her name will support Soroptimist International’s Live Your Dream and Dream It, Be It programs.

Co-President Elect Sharon Marcacci earned the Fellowship award, which was presented by District II Fellowship Director Dana Holve. A donation of $1,000 in her name will support women who are in the final phase of their doctoral degrees.

Several longevity awards were announced, including two for 45 years of membership in the club, which went to Jan Marie Whitley and Jill Hunter. Other longevity awards were given to Donna Fox and Buff Fleming for 30 years; Stephanie Corrington for 25 years; and five-year pins for Jackie DeVries, Brooke Fox, Sharon Marcacci and Vicki Nash. In addition, Vicki and Sandy Esparza were presented with a “Dream Big for the Future,” award.

The club honored Kelli Germeraad with its first-ever “You Make a Difference Award,” for outstanding mentorship, support, encouragement and advocacy for young women through the American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State program.

The event was also a time to celebrate Live Your Dream winners, who were announced earlier. They are Amada Madrigal, April Munguia, and Leslie Maldonado. Also honored was the club’s Violet Richardson Award winner for outstanding community service, which went to Caitlin Gonzales, a sophomore at Vacaville High  School who started a Women in STEM program, is active in the Team Buddy Program and the Vaca High Community Tutoring Program. She’s also Miss Teen Fiesta for 2021-22.

Soroptimist International of Vacaville was chartered in 1960 and continues to focus on its goal of making the world a better place for women and girls. The group meets weekly and welcomes new members. For more information about the club, visit www.VacavilleSoroptimist.org.

Soroptimist International of Vacaville bestowed its first-ever “You Make a Difference Award,” to Kelli Germeraad of Vacaville on May 17, noting her outstanding mentorship, support, encouragement and advocacy for young women through the American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State program.

Kelli has been working with the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 165 for 25 years. She is currently secretary and chair for Unit 165’s Girls State program, as well as the District 5 Girls State program chair. District 5 includes units in Solano, Marin, Lake, Sonoma and Napa counties.

“Your commitment and advocacy for the young women of District 5 Girls State program is phenomenal and you have been instrumental in the educational and career paths many have chosen,” wrote Soroptimist Bridgit Strachan. “We salute you for your tireless efforts on behalf of these young women. Thank you, Kelli, for your relentless efforts.”

Soroptimist International of Vacaville is a nonprofit organization chartered in 1960, committed to making the world a better place for women and girls. This year the club decided to create a new award to honor outstanding community service and celebrate women who are nurturing, mentoring, advocating, encouraging, supporting and inspiring women and girls.  Since Kelli has been active with the Girls State selection program, her unit has sent 165 girls to attend the five-day workshop, which recently moved from Southern California to California State University, Sacramento. The leadership program is designed to develop leadership skills, confidence, and action based understanding of the governmental process by building city, county and state government from the ground up. It gives young women a lasting foundation for personal and profession success.

 “Thanks to some generous sponsorships and support, our Vacaville unit has been able to grow our program from three high schools to six (Vacaville, Wood, Vacaville Christian, Buckingham, Vanden and Armijo),” said Kelli.

She credits the auxiliary’s Girls State selection panel for its commitment to excellence, and for partnering with local schools to make it happen each year; and to Wenonah Angier, who co-chaired with Kelli for many years, sharing her great perspective, until her death in 2019.

“It’s really rewarding,” said Kelli. “You not only get to know the girls, but most stay in touch, and you get to see these young women flourish.”

Kelli has been a longtime supporter of the armed forces. In addition to the American Legion Auxiliary, she’s served 15 years in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Unit 7244, and is on a number of boards including the VA Northern California Health Care advisory board and Rep. John Garamendi’s veteran advisory board. She also coordinated the Wounded Warriors visitations at Travis Air Force Base from 2004 to 2013. Her husband, Jake, is a Vietnam Veteran of the Marine Corps and her son, Ryan, is a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, serving in the Air Force.

Kelli is a retired billing specialist who wrote “Kelli’s Heroes,” a weekly column about veteran issues for The Reporter for more than 20 years, ending last fall.

Although Kelli was unable to attend the awards ceremony, she received a crystal Waterford vase, inscribed in her honor.

Soroptimist International of Vacaville was chartered in 1960 and continues to focus on its goal of making the world a better place for women and girls. The group meets weekly and welcomes new members. For more information about the club, visit www.VacavilleSoroptimist.org.

Amada Madrigal not only earned a first-place award of $2,000 in the Live Your Dream program through the Vacaville club, she will advance as the District II winner to the Founder Region level, where she could earn another $5,000. Should she continue on as a finalist in the Soroptimist International of the Americans competition, she could earn another $10,000.
 
The Vacaville club voted to send Amada to the Founder Region conference in Hawaii April 29-May 1, where she will be honored for her award.
 
The Live Your Dream award supports women who are head of their household, often with young children, and still trying to get their education so they can secure better jobs.
 
Amada is the mother of two children, ages 2 and 7, and is studying human services at Solano Community College, with the goal of becoming an educator. She’s part of a program that provides food and clothing to those in need. A former foster child, she has been driven to change the trajectory of her life. Her mentors describe her as creative, a leader and one who can adjust on the fly in any situation.

April Munguia is the second-place winner, earning $1,000. A single mother, she is studying to become a registered nurse and would eventually like to be a nurse practitioner. She is the first generation in her family to attend college. She is experiencing hands-on education at clinical sites and is practicing bedside care.

Leslie Maldonado is the third-place winner, earning $1,000. A single mother, she works at a children’s dental office and attends Solano Community College, with the goal of becoming a dental anesthesiologist.

A Vacaville High School sophomore, Caitlyn Gonzales, was selected as this year’s Violet Richardson award winner for outstanding leadership and community service.
 
Caitlyn started a Women in STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) program at Vacaville high to encourage women to focus on STEM careers. She is actively involved in the Team Vacaville Buddy Program and the Vacaville High Community Tutoring Program. She’s also reigning right now as Miss Teen Fiesta for 2021-22.
 
Caitlyn received $1,500 for her award, and will bestow an additional $1,500 to her charities: $1,000 to the Women in STEM Club, and two $250 scholarships for the Music Booster Club.
 
“It’s part of our mission to make the world a better place for women and girls, and honoring these four young women and giving them some financial support to help them achieve their dreams is what it’s all about,” said SI Vacaville President Jackie De Vries.

On March 8, the International Day of Women, Soroptimist International of Vacaville voted to send $1,000 to Soroptimist International of Europe’s Defense Relief Fund and quickly challenged other clubs around the world do to the same.
 
“We may not be able to stop what is happening, but we can contribute to relief efforts and I am doing so to honor my father and grandparents,” said our club President Jackie DeVries.
 
President Elect Linda Johnson sent a message and photo of support to the Soroptimist Club of the Ukraine and was thrilled to receive a message back, “Thank you dear sisters!!!!”
 
“Soroptimist means ‘Best for Women,’ not just women in our own little niche of the world, but all women and girls everywhere,” said Linda. “Ukrainian women and children are currently fleeing their country alone while their husbands, sons and brothers are fighting to save their country. While we can’t physically provide assistance we can provide funds to assist neighboring countries in their efforts to provide safe shelter, food, clothing and medical assistance to these women and children.”
 
We used part of our Tuesday meeting to decorate posters of support with messages in both English and Ukrainian. Messages included, “Stay strong sisters,” “Our hearts are with you,” and “Hold on to hope!” The Facebook post included a group photo. Individual photos will be posted soon, and club members were encouraged to share with their friends on Facebook.
 
Jackie said the Russian invasion has affected her deeply.
 
“My father’s boyhood home, Holland, was invaded by the Nazis in World War II. He was not able to escape and had to live in occupied Holland as a young teen. The trauma he and his family suffered is nothing anyone should go through.”
 
Her sister and fellow club member Joy Swank agreed.
 
“Our hearts are aching for the people of Ukraine. We stand united in our commitment to helping women and girls throughout the world,” said Joy. “Sending money to help is the least we can do.  We pray it helps and gives them hope.”
 
Please consider a club donation or a personal donation. If a donation isn’t possible, we urge you to make your own posters and share on Facebook: “A positive ray of light and support in dark times!”
 
The link to SIA’s defense fund is:
https://www.soroptimisteurope.org/.../disaster-relief-fund/

VACAVILLE — Soroptimist International of Vacaville, an international volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, is seeking local applicants for its recognition program targeted to young women who make the community and world a better place.

“Soroptimist International is celebrating its 100th year this year, and Violet Richardson was our first president,” said Mary Dickey, chairman of the award committee. “This is to recognize girls who are just like Violet – young women who are making a difference in their community.”

To be eligible, students in Solano County must be between the ages of 14 and 18, and engaged in volunteer work.

Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It’s what you do that counts.” She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor her memory and her dedication to volunteer action.
Judges have the discretion of presenting up to $1,500 to a winner (or winners) and up to $1,500 to the charity of the winner’s (or winners’) choice.

​

​Well, we tried. Soroptimist International of Vacaville wanted to have an in-person fundraiser in 2021, but we realized that life is still too uncertain. With the health and safety of all of you, our loyal supporters, and our club members, we decided to have a drive-through event.

Fear not! We have contracted with Chef To Go Catering, aka Chef Daniel, to recreate the fabulous dinner he created for our 2019 dinner.

Lightly smoked Tri Tip, with a cabernet sauce, risotto, grilled fall veggies, salad, and ciabatta bread … is your mouth watering already? 
​There’s just one big distinction. There will be no lobster this year.
 
For many, many years, our fundraiser was one of the few in the region to feature lobster. And everyone loved it! But we had to be creative last year, when it was clear a lobster dinner was not going to happen. And so we looked to our mascot – Lola the Lobster – and shared her adventures with all of you on Facebook.
​
Lola went on the run to escape a hot pot. And in the end, we made amends and granted her a pardon. (So please don’t tell Lola that we plan a return of our Legendary Lobster dinner in 2022.) 
In the meantime, the dinner will go on. 
We’ve taken our famous silent auction online, and you can place a bid now. There are many fun, unique and amazing offerings, here are a few:

• Desserts for one year;
• A three-night Aptos Beach house Rental;
• A pastel drawing by Lisa Rico; and
• A scaled replica of the famous Nut Tree Hobby horse by local artist Ken Hunter

 
Bidding open now until Oct. 15. Be sure to register your phone number so you’ll be texted if someone outbids you…
Thank you all for everything you do to help make our community a better place for women and girls, through programs such as Live Your Dream or our Scholarship Programs. 


Sincerely,
​Jackie De Vries, President SI Vacaville
Empowering through Education

With a theme of “Empowering Through Education,” Vacaville resident Jackie DeVries has taken the reins as president of Soroptimist International of Vacaville for the 2021-2022 term.

The nonprofit international organization dedicated to making the community and the world a better place for women and girls selected Chantel Reyes to take on the role of vice president/president-elect, Diane Irby as recording secretary, Bridgit Strachan as corresponding secretary, Vicki Nash as treasurer and Yolanda Williams as assistant treasurer.

Serving in the two-year director role will be Yvonne Thrasher while Sandy Esparza will take the one-year director duties.

The two-year delegate will be Mary Dickey and one-year delegate will be Lisa Hilas. The two-year alternate delegate is Suzanne Clark, while the alternate one-year delegate is Lenora Fuller.

New officers were installed during a special ceremony on June 29.

Soroptimist International of Vacaville was chartered in 1960 and will celebrate its 61st birthday on Aug. 20.

Left to right
Top row: Diane Irby, Yvonne Thrasher, Lisa Hilas, Yolanda Williams, Vickie Nash, Mary Dickey.
Bottom row: Dr. Jill Hunter, Sandy Esparza, Bridgit Strachan, Chantel Reyes, Lenora Fuller.