As a volunteer service organization, Soroptimist believes that by acknowledging young women’s volunteer involvement now, they will grow up to be vital active members of the community. The Violet Richardson Award honors young women between the ages of 14 and 18 for volunteer actions.
The award is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club of Alameda County in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, “It’s what you do that counts.” She lived her life accordingly, as an active member of her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women.
Soroptimist International of Rio Vista is pleased to announce Madison Myer as its 2020 Violet Richardson Award winner. While her sister was battling cancer at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, Madison, with her mother’s help, came up with an idea to decorate ID Badge Reels with medicine bottle tops. They became quite popular and Walgreen Drugs ordered 150 of them. The $1,200 dollars she made was donated to the hospital for children’s cancer research. She also made fleece blankets for children at the hospital.
Madison wanted to raise awareness of childhood cancer and how the smallest acts of kindness can be so important to them. Through this experience with her sister, Madison gained a new perspective on the needs and comforts that patients welcome during a hospital stay. Madison is also involved in the Rio Vista 4-H Club, working on community clean-up and beautification projects. In 2018, she became an active volunteer with Kaiser Permanente Vacaville. She quickly made herself indispensable in many areas of the hospital. Madison also volunteers at the Union Baptist Church Preschool. She is a warm, kind and inventive young woman. Madison says, “I truly love volunteering because even the smallest act can put a smile on people’s faces.” If you are interested in learning more about the Soroptimist organization, please contact Membership co-chairs, Deborah Roden (925) 588-5091 or Wanda Apel (925) 325-9252. Visit us at http://siriovista.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Soroptimist-International-of-Rio-Vista and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/si_riovista/