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

SACRAMEMTO, CA (MPG) - Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova and Gold River recently completed its annual “mission” to fill and deliver holiday stockings to 120 female veterans receiving treatment at the VA Northern California Healthcare System (NCHCS).

Private businesses MednRx (in the new SF Market), Tara Dietel’s State Farm office, Crumbl Cookie, and Drink Eezy, as well as organizations including the City of Rancho Cordova, Visit Rancho Cordova, California American Water, Explore Rancho Cordova and our Soroptimist club contributed items for the stockings.

The stockings included ChapStick, a mini squeeze ball, a granola bar, a pair of comfy socks, a mini bottle of hand sanitizer, a combination sunscreen and lip balm, an eyeglass cleaning cloth, a coaster, a pen, a mini tote bag, a voucher for a free cookie, a voucher for an adult beverage, a phone sanitizer/screen cleaner, a hot cocoa packet, a positive affirmation bookmark, stickers, a mini notebook, and a beautiful holiday card wishing happy holidays and a thank you for their service.

A former member also crocheted more than 20 one-of-a-kind beanies to be offered on a first come, first served basis to any female veteran who would like one. The stockings were stuffed on Nov. 21 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 NCHCS during the pandemic, donated baby shower items to pregnant veterans receiving care there, donated warm socks numerous times to the VA NCHCS for veterans receiving chemotherapy and dialysis treatments, and now holiday stockings to bring veterans some cheer during the holidays. We love our veterans and those who provide care to them,” said club Vice-President Sheryl Longsworth.

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. Photo courtesy of Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova and Gold River

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

“Stacy did an amazing job coordinating all the donations and leading this committee. Committee members Ingrid Rosten, Christina Ma (club president), and Pamela Reed also worked very hard to ensure that our veterans receive nothing but the best.”

“Normally, our club members don’t have direct contact with those that we help. We generally drop off donations, materials, etc. to an intermediary who distributes what we contribute to the actual beneficiaries,” Longsworth said.

After the 2023 holiday stocking mission, a women stopped by to drop 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 the VA Northern California Healthcare System earlier that day was the same organization that she was giving her e-waste to now. The veteran was so grateful to receive her holiday stocking. 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,” Longsworth said. “Knowing that a holiday gift from our hearts made 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.”