Soroptimist International Group Changes Names

Having a presence within the community since 1958, the local Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) group has changed its name to Caring Hands, Inc. However, no changes will be made in how the group gives back to the community nor will the operation of the Glasgow Caring Hands thrift store see any changes.

The group branched out on its own at the end of April due to changes SIA was making as a result of concerns brought up due to COVID-19. Soroptimist International changed their guidelines regarding clubs having affiliated business, which affected the organization in owning and running the local thrift store.

When the changes were announced, the club voted unanimously to leave SIA and be independent, with everyone agreeing that Glasgow needed the thrift store more than the group needed to be a part of SIA, as the main source of funding for the organization is the thrift store. All of the money raised from the thrift store stays local, so it was important to all members to continue to serve the community in this way.

With the branch out, the group also needed a new name. Approximately 16 names were submitted by those in the organization and then it was reduced down to a vote of three. Caring Hands, Inc. received the most votes and the transition started from Soroptimist to Caring Hands.

Once the new name was determined, the group updated the organization’s bylaws and decided to include more members of the community to help. Under SIA, the group helped women and girls live and achieve their goals. However with Caring Hands their objective expanded to improve the lives of women and families through programs and scholarships while also pursuing the mission that women and families have the resources to reach their full potential. A nine member board assists in making the decisions on how to best assist in this objective and many committees review written requests for donations.

In addition to the annual Block of Bucks, which the local Soroptimist took over from the Glasgow Jaycees in 1993, the group also provides holiday gift cards for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas to families in need, provide bags of female products to Valley County schools, hand out scholarships and host a baby shower with gifts being handed out to the Hi-Line Homes and the Glasgow Police Department for distribution, among providing other donations throughout the community including the Valley County Community Pool Campaign, the Children’s Museum, Valley County Transit, FMDH Mammography Fund and other hospital departments like EMTs.

They will also continue with Project Classroom, where $300 per month is given to a Valley County teacher who need things for their classroom that they are not able to get through their normal budget. Teachers can apply for the grant funding for the nine months school is in session.

Project Smile will be another program they will continue, which used to provide dental care to women who can’t afford it. Since the branch out however, Project Smile will now provides funds to Eastern Montana Community Mental Health to utilize for their clients as they see fit.

In total, the group budgets about $38,000 a year to be utilized for the various projects they support, in addition to the funds that are raised during the yearly Block of Bucks event. The funds given during Block of Bucks is raised on Friday and divided up between the children in need. The funds are then given back locally by shopping that following Saturday.

There are currently 30 people within the club, however due to COVID, it had been harder to hold meeting and have social events to recruit new members. The Thrift Store also has grown over the years and the group is fortunate to have seven paid employees, as well as volunteers when they are open the first Saturday of each month, to help keep it running.

The Thrift Store is open Mondays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They also accept donations and take cash or in town checks for purchases. As of press time, the Thrift Store encourages you to call ahead if wanting to donate to ensure their availability in accepting the items.

Caring Hands welcomes anyone interested in becoming a member to attend the next meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 14, at noon at the Cottonwood. There will be a no host lunch. They are always looking for volunteers and help to keep giving back to the community.