Capitola Soroptimist’s Bras for a Cause Goes on Safari Fundraiser
Hand-decorated by a member of the San Francisco Soroptimist club, the bra was decorated with rows of stars over a parade of elephants and giraffes on the Serengeti plains. It was accompanied by a basket of items and was purchased by Susan Beving.
“I liked the safari theme of the colorful orange and black bra with silver stars, which was also the theme for this year’s Bras for a Cause,” said Live Oak resident Beving. “I’ve been on safaris in Kenya and Tanzania and dearly love elephants and giraffes, which the bra depicts.”
Beving successfully bid $70 in the silent auction for the “Serengeti, Under the Stars” bra, which was contributed by Soroptimist International of San Francisco in honor of member Cindie Awakuni-Lee. Accompanying the bra was a woven basket containing a bottle of Carnivor (correct spelling) Cabernet Sauvignon and two wine goblets with painted lion faces and two golden satin napkins, all donated by Lois Alford.
She added that each year she buys one of the artistically created bras at Bras for a Cause to give to her niece in Wisconsin, a craftswoman who has lived with cancer for 20 years and with Stage 4 breast cancer the past five years.
“She enjoys showing off the decorative lingerie at meetings of her support group,” Beving said.
More than 90 guests attended the 10th annual fund-raiser which featured a silent auction of the artist-decorated bras with baskets filled with donations from local merchants and a live auction with two safari trips to South Africa, a one-week stay at a condo in Squaw Valley, a crab dinner at a country home, kayaking and hiking adventures and golf outings among the bidding options.
Proceeds from the fund-raiser will be used for programs that help Santa Cruz County women and girls achieve social and economic empowerment. Earlier this year, Capitola Soroptimists gave $2,000 each to two women who are enrolled in BA programs and are the head of their households. The funds can be used for whatever the recipient needs to help her complete her education. The club also co-hosted a one-day career conference for more than 70 13-to-14 year-old girls.
“Everyone had a fabulous time and we so appreciate the generosity of everyone involved in this event,” said KC Carlson, event coordinator. “It’s heartwarming to have that kind of dedication and support for our mission to help women and girls.”
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Soroptimist, a coined Latin phrase meaning Best for Women, is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Membership in the Capitola club is open to women throughout Santa Cruz County. For more information, or to become a member willing to work to help us help women and girls, visit the SI Capitola website at www.best4women.org or email at info@best4women.org.