Soroptimists International taking hold in Dayton after two years

Just into its second year, the Soroptimist International of Dayton is going strong and still looking for more.

Trudy Mills, president of the organization, said the group has awarded $1,000 scholarships to two female graduates of Dayton High School and presented its first Women's Opportunity Award.

Lavurne Jeffreys, volunteer coordinator for Central Lyon County Youth Connections, is the first recipient of the $500 award, designed to assist women in overcoming personal difficulties to better their lives through education and skills training.

Jannette Hoffert, a member of the Soroptimist International of Dayton, which chartered in October 2004, praised Jeffreys' efforts to rise above difficulty and the stresses of single motherhood.

Jeffreys, who received the award earlier this month, is a junior at the University of Nevada Reno and plans to be an art therapist. She has an 11-year-old daughter.

She will be eligible for the Soroptimists' regional award of $5,000, and the 28 first-place regional recipients become eligible to win one of three $10,000 finalist awards.

Mills said there is plenty more to do and is seeking members for the Soroptimist International of Dayton.

"It's open for any women to apply," she said. "The board has to approve the application. It's for someone who wants to help other women."

Mills said the first-year membership fee is $124, and $89.50 for subsequent years.

"We are seeking women in the area who are interested in joining, because the more members we have the more work we can do," she said. "We are open to new members at all times."

Mills described the Dayton Soroptimists, chartered in October of 2004 on the 83rd anniversary of the founding of Soroptimist International, as a group of "professional women who hold fundraisers and who work to improve the lives of women and children, especially girls, in our community."

Mills said that, in conjunction with the Soroptimist International of Carson Valley, the Dayton group was committed to raise $150,000 in five years for the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center.

"Through our organization, including the regional, national and international levels, we have contributed to tsunami and Katrina relief to help women in the areas of devastation," Mills said.

The Soroptimists are sponsoring a Valentine's Day Homemade Ravioli dinner and dance to benefit the Central Lyon Youth Connections.

The event will be held at the Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St. from 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 11, followed by dancing to the music of the Gardners, original song stylists based in Carson City.

All proceeds will benefit the Central Lyon County Youth Connection's programs and projects. Tickets are $30 for dinner and dance and $10 for dinner only at the door, Community Threads Thrift Store in Dayton and the Dayton Community Center.

The Gardners - Bob and Nancy - perform 1960s, '70s and '80s music as well as the current Top 40 tunes and some country and country rock. They have been performing together throughout Nevada and California at casinos and dance clubs since 1979.

n Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.