Soroptimist International Centralia-Chehalis president Susan Weckesser wraps gifts on Friday afternoon in Centralia.
Susan Weckesser and Peggy Hammer wrap presents Friday afternoon in Centralia to raise funds for Soroptimist International Centralia-Chehalis.
At noon on Black Friday, parking was still scarce at Centralia Factory Outlets. Soroptimist International of Centralia-Chehalis president Susan Weckesser and member Peggy Hammer occupied an empty storefront, where they wrapped gifts to benefit their organization.
“We’re doing gift wrapping as a fundraiser to support our programs,” Weckesser said. “Our programs include grants for school, encouragement for middle schoolers.”
Soroptimist doesn’t charge for the gift wrapping, but accepts donations to support its programs. Some of those programs include Dare to Dream, a one-day program for girls in middle school, and Live Your Dream, grants for women who are working to further their education or career and need a little extra financial assistance.
“Our main goal is to encourage and empower women financially and socially in the world,” Weckesser said. “Soroptimist means ‘best for women.’”
The free gift wrapping took place 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, and will take place again 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The wrappers are located in the store between Eddie Bauer and Kay Jewelers at Centralia Factory Outlets.
After this weekend, the gift wrappers take a break and resume Dec. 10. They’re available 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Kiwanis Club of Centralia-Chehalis shares the storefront and has the same hours. Club members will sell See’s Candies.
Zonta Club of Centralia-Chehalis previously did the gift wrapping program, but Soroptimist began taking it over last year.
“They asked us if we would like to take over this,” Weckesser said. “We worked with them last year and decided this was something we could do and it’s been a good fundraiser. It’s also a way to get our name out in the community, because we are always looking for new members as we encourage as much as we can for making lives better for women and girls.”
The organization expanded its Dare to Dream event this year. It previously offered the event in East Lewis County, but expanded west of Interstate 5 for a second day. During the event, club members serve as group mentors.
“We each work with a group of eight to 10 girls, talking to them, getting to know them,” Weckesser said. “We mix the schools up, so we try to get them to know other girls who are at the same spot they are in terms of development. (We) work with them and get feedback and (have) open discussions. … Basically, it’s to be a mentor later. … We mentor, we help, we support as much as we can.”
Additionally, the organization has scholarships at Centralia College and supports other community organizations, such as Human Response Network.
As of Friday afternoon, Soroptimist had only wrapped gifts for two people, but expected traffic to pick up closer to Christmas.
“It’s always slow in the beginning,” Weckesser said. “It really picks up when we get closer to Christmas and people start to panic.”
