Trenton Soroptimists 2019 Induction and Awards Ceremony

Soroptimist International of Trenton Area celebrated the induction of nine new members: Kimberly Bondy, Fallon Donovan, Morgan Hudec, Dianne McDowell, Erika Repasky, Janelle Rose, Catherine Russel, Tessa Smith, and Lani Weslow.

The evening’s ceremony began with Donna Fickeisen’s lovely invocation remembering the two dear Soroptisisters that we have lost this year, Carolyn Sheck and Sandy Rushlau.

Membership committee chairperson distributed many perfect attendance certificates before presenting five-year membership pins to Karen Collins, Lynda Chappelle, and Abby Premoe. Terry Morrow earned her 35-year pin.

President Karen Collins presented Lani Weslow the “Rookie of the Year” award for her take-charge attitude of the prom dress re-sale and club presentations. Sarah Hill was given the “Key Member” award for all of her hard work in spearheading the “Mommy and Me” teas and “Dream It, Be It” events at First Step. Sarah had also received a volunteer award for our club from Consumers Energy. Our most important award, the Soroptimist of the Year, was well deserved by Catherine Infantado. Cathy devotes many hours to fundraising events in addition to volunteering for all other club activities.

Casey Ilitis of Advia Credit Union presented the club with a generous grant check to be used for our “Dream It, Be It” program at First Step in July. Volunteers from Advia Credit Union will be assisting the Soroptimist members there.

SI of Trenton Area obtained a Soroptimist Club grant for women and girls to offer “Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls” to local high school girls this autumn from the Soroptimist International of the Americas.

The Trenton Area Soroptimists collected dollars to add to the Evelyn Grace Peraino Memorial Scholarship for Michigan nurses currently working in a pediatric setting to advance their nursing education at a college or university. Ann Peraino is an SI of Trenton Area member. She and her husband tragically lost their infant Evelyn, and they wanted to honor the nurses who supported them in their grief.

In addition to many family members, in attendance were several of our Midwestern Region Board of Directors and District officers.

If you are interested in learning more about the Trenton Area Soroptimists and our other activities, check out our page on Facebook@Soroptimist Trenton, MI or sioftrentonarea@sbcglobal.net.