About Us

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Soroptimist International of Merced (SI Merced)

Serving our Merced community

Soroptimist International of Merced, established 1937, sponsors or participates in the following local programs:

Live Your Dream Award – This inspirational program offers recognition and cash awards to women returning to school while heading their household. Local winners go on to compete for regional and international honors.

Dream It, Be It – A program to help girls identify their Dreams and achieve them using short and long term goals. The program teaches how to be strong and successful through adversity. We provide access to various professional career role models. High school AVID seniors have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to help with their next step of their career dream, college/secondary education.

Soroptimist Service for Senior Women – In July of 2017, Soroptimist of Merced began a partnership with the Merced County Human Services Agency Adult Protective Services by establishing a committee, Soroptimist Service to Senior Women. The mission of this committee is to be responsive to the individual needs of senior women in the Merced community and help to improve their quality of life. Any services given are with the permission of the women receiving them.

The four areas of focus:
1. Phone calls, notes, cards to specific women
2. Home visits, reading to seniors
3. Personal services – shopping, errands
4. Filling Christmas Stockings

Merced County Historical Society Holiday Tree Exhibit – Community building activity that began in 1985 for community members and service organizations to support the County Historical Society in decorating the Court House Museum in holiday spirit for December programs.

City of Merced Christmas Parade – SI Merced and other local community organizations and businesses provide hot chocolate and cookies along the parade route. Community building activity in early December in Downtown Merced.

Fundraising for SI Merced

The Hors d’oeuvres Festival
The club holds one major fundraiser each year in May. This is an outdoor event and includes a variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and raffle baskets full of exciting contents. Many attendees come dressed in themed attire. All the members of SI Merced participate in this well-loved community event that provides funding for our Scholarships and Community Service projects.

SI Merced contributions to Merced Community Service Organizations
Over the past several years SI Merced has contributed over $200,000 to various service and relief projects in the Merced area. Some of these include:

  • Alpha Pregnancy Center
  • American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State Program
  • Boys and Girls Club
  • Boys and Girls Club – Smart Girls Program
  • Flood evacuees of Planada
  • Love Inc of Merced Leadership Training
  • Merced High School FFA Leadership Program
  • United Way of Merced – Socks for the Homeless
  • Valley Crisis Center – Domestic Violence Shelter
  • CASA of Merced County

Soroptimist International of Merced is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Tax ID No. 94-6084476