Service organisation supporting sisterhood

PYJAMA RUN: Rosalie Palmer, left, and Heather Jones of the Rotorua Soroptimists are excited about the pyjama drive for the Women's Refuge. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER.

Often when these women turn up at the refuge it's the middle of the night and all they have are the clothes they're standing in.

The Rotorua Soroptimists are on the hunt for new and pre-loved winter pyjamas as part of their two-week-long pyjama drive for Rotorua Women's Refuge, starting on Monday, June 8.

The name soroptimist comes from the Latin word soror, meaning sister, and optima meaning best, taking on their core values of doing their best for women.
Rotorua Soroptimists co-president Rosalie Palmer says this is exactly why they have chosen to support Women's Refuge.

"We are part of a worldwide women's service organisation and our focus is on improving things for women and children. Often when these women turn up at the refuge it's the middle of the night and all they have are the clothes they're standing in. We feel it's lovely for the children to be given a nice, warm pair of pyjamas to snuggle into and be nice and warm," she says.

Rosalie has been involved with Soroptimists throughout the almost 21 years it has been operating in Rotorua.

"Soroptimists was founded in America and is about as old as Rotary.
"The Rotorua Soroptimists celebrated their 20th birthday last year, and I'm the last charter member left.

"We have lots of fun, and do a lot of projects for hospice and other organisations, and we constantly support Women's Refuge. We make up toilet bags for the women with shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes for the family, and there might be a little perfume in there as well," she says.

According to the group, each year, more than $1.6 million in education grants are given to around 1200 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence and/or drug and alcohol abuse.

"Usually we have one main fundraiser each year to go toward the scholarship for a secondary student who is going on to tertiary education. This can go toward books, tuition or anything associated with their study."

Co-president Jo Douglas says this is the second year Soroptimists has chosen to do the pyjama drive and they are looking forward to gathering as many pairs of women's and children's pyjamas as possible.

Jo says they are always looking for new members to join the group as the numbers have slowly decreased over the years.

"At the moment we meet at the Princes Gate Hotel. We have a dinner meeting once a month where we have a guest speaker, and we also do regular business meetings at each others homes over a buffet meal. We are always looking for like minded women to come along and be part of what we are doing for women in the community."

The pyjama drive runs from June 8 to June 22 and drop-off points are the Citizens' Advice Bureau on Haupapa St, More FM on Ranolf St, Rotorua Secondhand Market, Arawa St, and the Rotorua Daily Post on Hinemoa St.

For more information on joining Rotorua Soroptimists, phone Jo on (07) 349 7489.