Soroptimists awarding grants tonight

Soroptimist International of Carson City will award $22,000 in grants to 22 Carson City agencies tonight at the Piñon Plaza.

Money to provide the grants was raised through several fund-raisers of the Soroptimists, their largest being the annual Comedy Night.

"We also hold a golf tournament, which raised $17,000 last year," said Dixie Dickerson, past president and service committee chairwoman of the group.

"Funds from the golf tournament are specifically used to provide mammograms to women who cannot afford them.

"We also have a legal account for Volunteer Attorneys in Rural Nevada. They will be receiving a $10,000 grant, the largest. VARN provides help to women who are in need of legal assistance and are in an abusive situation."

Dickerson said the group has decided that because the money was raised in the Carson City community, it should stay in the community.

"Three years ago the Soroptimists started a grant process," Dickerson said.

"We published a public service announcements asking for applications for the money. We were surprised by the response.

"I was in a state of shock at the amount of people wanting money. We even had the Red Cross ask for money. But we want to keep the money here in Carson City. This is the third year we've offered the grants and we will be giving them to 22 organizations. The first two years we gave out 25 grants each year."

Dickerson said the grants range from $500 to $10,000.

"We are also giving $500 to TRIAD, a service through the Carson City Sheriff's Department, for medical identification bracelets to senior citizens," Dickerson said.

Soroptimist International of Carson City, chartered June 8, 1957, has 43 members and is comprised of professional women in the community.

Some of the recipients of the grants include:

• Court Appointed Special Advocates

• Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

• Volunteer Attorneys in Rural Nevada

• Western Nevada Community College Student Book Fund

• Carson City Library; Carson High School Color Guard

• Carson City TRIAD

• Brewery Arts Center and Camp Sundowner

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.