Last week’s article about a group of Junior Girl Scouts' generosity was the cherry on top of the sundae that makes up the Girl Scouts series of this column. This week’s group of professional ladies, who calls themselves the Soroptimists, mirrors those positive attitudes and community-driven ambitions.

According to the group’s website, the name Soroptimist means “best for women," illustrating exactly what this international group hopes to achieve.Through programs that encourage social and economic empowerment for women and girls, members partake in the group’s mission of increased public awareness, fundraising efforts, and providing volunteer support to localized groups.

The Soroptimists visualize being the “leading international organization of business and professional women united through volunteer efforts to enable women and girls to live their dreams, take control of their lives, and live according to their own values,” their web site explained.

"We’re an all-volunteer, charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in our communities,” said member Bobbi Youngberg of Wheaton, “We’re a group of professional women, with 1400 clubs in 19 countries.”

Locally, the Soroptimists have a multi-faceted plan for our community's betterment. For fundraising, the women creatively craft gift bags for moms and kids in shelters, and provide Comfort Bears for police officers to distribute to children who have been present during domestic disputes.

Locally the group chooses many different organizations to work with, including Family Shelter Services (FSS). FSS assists families in need in Glen Ellyn as well as throughout DuPage County. They also focus on global issues affecting women.

“This year we’re going to focus on teen dating and violence,” explained Youngberg.

She said they’ve also worked with the women of Sierra Leone, who’ve experienced sexual violence during the war there.

The local chapter also awards college scholarships, usually two to three per year. According to Youngberg, the Soroptimists were only able to award two scholarships because of low funds. "One deserving girl missed out,” she said.

This year the local chapter is testing out scholarships for women to earn their GEDs. Many of the women the group has met in shelters don’t have high school diplomas, so they can’t further their educations.

This inspired President Fran Ingram, Youngberg and fellow Soroptimist Ann Marie Brucato, also of Wheaton, to add this initiative to this year’s fundraising efforts.

A $25 donation will get you to the candlelight bowl and a raffle entry to win amazing donated prizes. All proceeds go to Soroptimists International Suburban Chicago to be used in their charitable endeavors.

If you’re interested in joining these ladies in their mission of helping women, please contact Bobbi Youngberg at bobbihy@gmail.com, or attend dinner and a club meeting at the Hi-View Restaurant in Villa Park the 3rd Wednesday of the month starting at 6 p.m.  

It’s rumored that DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin will be attending the bowling event….will you?