Stocking Delivery! L to R: Rancho Cordova Soroptimist Club VP Christina Ma, Rancho Cordova Soroptimist club member Julie Abraham, Mather VA Hospital rep Linda O’Keefe, and Rancho Cordova Soroptimist Club Treasurer Beth Findlay. Photo courtesy of SI of Rancho Cordova & Gold River

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova & Gold River recently filled holiday stockings to be given to 104 female veterans receiving treatment at the Mather VA Hospital. Tara Dietel’s State Farm office in Gold River donated cherry ChapSticks; Tru-Earth donated laundry soap sheets; and members Stacy Delaney and Sheryl Longsworth purchased and donated some items. In total, the contents of each holiday stocking were: a State Farm ChapStick, a baggie of Tru-Earth laundry soap sheets, an aromatherapy candle, a package of Biofreeze pain relieving gel, a veteran notepad and pencil, a color-changing mini squeeze ball, a package of Nature Valley granola bars or BelVita cinnamon biscuits, a pair of soft and comfy ankle socks, a Bath & Body Works PocketBac Hand Sanitizer, and a beautiful holiday card wishing happy holidays and a thank you for their service and sacrifice. The stockings were stuffed on November 30th and delivered to the Mather VA Hospital on December 1st for distribution.

Rancho Cordova “Soropti-Santas” busily stuff stockings. Photo courtesy of SI of Rancho Cordova & Gold River

“Our Soroptimist club cares very deeply for our brave veterans. We donated cases of snacks and vitamin-fortified bottled water to the Mather VA Hospital staff in May 2020, when the hospital was overrun with veterans suffering from COVID-19, donated baby shower items to pregnant veterans at the VA Hospital, donated warm and comfy ankle socks numerous times to the VA Hospital to be given to 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 President Sheryl Longsworth.

“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,” said Longsworth. On December 12th, a woman stopped by Longsworth’s home to drop off some e-waste for the club’s e-waste recycling fundraiser when the woman realized that the same organization that provided her with a holiday stocking at the Mather VA Hospital earlier that day was the same organization that she was giving her e-waste to. “The veteran was so grateful to receive her holiday stocking and all the goodies within. She has been having some health challenges that have affected her employment, and she was a bit down. The stocking she received brightened her day and outlook a lot,” said Longsworth. “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.”