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SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF OROVILLE
On June 6, 1931,
Soroptimist International of Oroville was formed by a dedicated group of twenty Oroville women. Since its inception, the organization has focused on service to Oroville, and to making Oroville a nicer and better place to live. Early work included feeding workers hired to repair and maintain the levee; collecting funds to provide milk for elementary school children (the Milk Bottle fund, which ran for many years here in town); collecting funds to provide breakfast for elementary school children, and later for many of their parents, and also lunch supplements; the awarding of scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools; and, in 1958, the founding of the Girl of the Month program which continues to this day.
Many folks appreciate the beauty of the tall, stately line of trees along Rotary Park. Few are aware that was a planting by the Oroville Soroptimist Club as their "President's Walk".
When charter member Alta D. Hengy passed away, she left to the club a piece of ground behind what was then the Carnegie Library on Montgomery Street. Her family added the property to the west of the building, and the entire holding was dedicated as "Soroptimist Park" and given to the City of Oroville as an outdoor reading room/park for the library. Mrs. Hengy and Lois Nurse also left bequests to permanently fund the club scholarship program. These women and their families truly believed in the tenents of the Soroptimist organization.
Present member and past president Carmen Bender was active in the St. Thomas Church volunteer community and introduced the concept of "Oktoberfest" to that organization. Approximately eleven years ago,
Carmen talked with Soroptimist about Oktoberfest, and Soroptimist International of Oroville brought to Oroville a new format for Oktoberfest ... a band from Germany, the serving of authentic German food and the beautiful
concert music of the visiting band. Eight bands visited Oroville from Germany, approximately 550 people including accompanying spouses and friends. Each band performed a benefit concert for the Oroville State Theatre, featuring
their competition concert music. In Europe, communites form bands which include small children through senior citizens. These community bands actually compete with one another and are heartily supported by their communities.
The visiting band members and traveling companions were housed in Soroptimist members' homes as well as community members, and they so enjoyed their time here that when they returned home they encouraged others to visit us. Some 300 additional German citizens have visited our town as a direct result of the bands' experiences. The German Soccer club has visited Oroville on several occasions, again due to the input of our visiting band members. Soroptimist members who have visited Germany are welcomed by all who have come to our area, and are treated to wonderful stories of the visits made to Oroville.
Soroptimist International of Oroville recently funded the "Baby Think It Over Project" at Las Plumas High School, Prospect High School and Oroville High School. The computer driven dolls are weighted to
feel like a "real" baby, and programmed to cry until the student turns a key and holds it for a certain period of time. The dolls record abuse or maltreatment. The project is used by the schools in their pregnancy
prevention programs, and the club has received reports of the success this project has had in helping young people realize the responsibility of parenthood.
There is no way to adequately set out the work done and
devotion to this city by the chartering members, or those who have followed. We are proud to be a member of this organization, and proud of its work within the Oroville community. As we end our 1998-1999 club year,
Soroptimist International of Oroville is happy to extend the offer of membership to any who are interested in our work and goals.
Interested persons are encouraged to contact club secretary, Nancy Lueder, at 589-2963, for further information
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