Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova & Gold River recently completed their annual “mission” to fill and deliver holiday stockings to 150 female veterans. Photo courtesy of Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova & Gold River

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova & Gold River recently completed their annual “mission” to fill and deliver holiday stockings to 150 female veterans receiving treatment at the VA Northern California Healthcare System (NCHCS).

Private businesses such as Same Day Healthcare Pharmacy (in the new SF Market), Tara Dietel’s State Farm office, TruEarth Laundry Sheets, and Crumbl Cookie, as well as organizations including the City of Rancho Cordova, Visit Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County 2-1-1, Explore Rancho Cordova, Soroptimist Sierra Nevada Region and our Soroptimist club contributed items for the stockings.

The stockings included ChapStick; a squeeze ball; granola package; a pair of comfy socks; mini bottle of hand sanitizer; travel lint roller; sunglasses, medication container and mini tote bag; Crumbl cookie voucher; a package of 32 dissolving laundry sheets; hand lotion; tissue pocket pack; veteran post-it notes; gold veteran pin; aromatherapy candle; nail clippers and Emory board; stocking hat, and a beautiful holiday card wishing happy holidays and a thank you for their service. The stockings were stuffed on Nov. 20 and delivered the next day for distribution starting in December at the VA Northern California Healthcare System.

“Our Soroptimist club cares deeply for our brave veterans and the staff who serve them. We donated cases of snacks and vitamin water to the VA Northern California Healthcare System when the pandemic started, donated baby shower items to pregnant veterans receiving care there, donated warm socks numerous times to the VA Northern California Healthcare System for veterans receiving chemotherapy and dialysis treatments, and now holiday stockings to bring veterans some cheer during the holidays,” said club vice president Sheryl Longsworth. “We love our veterans and those who provide care to them.”

Both last year and this year’s veteran stocking “missions” were led by club secretary and Air Force veteran, Stacy Delaney.

“Stacy did an amazing job coordinating all the donations and leading this committee,” said club president Ingrid Rosten.

Club vice president Longsworth added, “Normally, our club members do not have direct contact with those we help. We generally drop off donations, materials, etc. to another organization who distributes our contribution to the actual beneficiaries.”

After the 2023 holiday stocking mission, a woman dropped off some e-waste for the club’s e-waste recycling fundraiser. The woman realized that the organization that provided her with a holiday stocking at VA Northern California Healthcare System earlier that day was the same organization that she was giving her e-waste to.

The veteran was so grateful to receive her holiday stocking. She shared that she was having some health challenges that affected her employment, and she was feeling down. The stocking she received brightened her day and outlook a lot.

“Knowing that a holiday gift from our heart that makes a difference in the life of a veteran, was the best feeling in the world and that’s what the holidays are all about…spreading love to everyone. Our club now commits to a holiday stocking “mission” every year,” Longsworth said.

Soroptimist is an international 501(c)3 non-profit organization who seeks to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The name, Soroptimist, means "best for women," and that is what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are people at their best, working to help other women to be their best. Please email [email protected] to receive more information about Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova & Gold River, how to become a member, or just learn how you can volunteer with our club members, or visit http://www.soroptimistranchocordova.org/.