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Soroptimists are optimists – and with good reason, especially in La Conner.

Members of the local chapter daily express appreciation for the widespread community support received for their multiple service projects. Their global volunteer organization provides women and girls access to education and training needed for economic empowerment.

“It’s totally amazing what we get in donations,” Diane Goetz, co-president with Margaret Hillard of La Conner Soroptimists, said of the merchandise stocked at the chapter’s Vintage La Conner thrift store.

Goetz and Hillard, in a sit-down interview with the Weekly News in mid-September, said store sales generate revenue that the Soroptimists plow back into the community, funding programs such as the impactful Live Your Dream award that uplifts female heads of households.

Applications for the Live Your Dream program are being accepted through mid-November. It is designed to help women overcome serious life-changing challenges, from poverty and divorce to death of a spouse and domestic violence.

Award recipients, Goetz and Hillard stressed, may use the Live Your Dream cash award to offset any costs related to their efforts to attain higher education, including books, childcare and transportation.

“The great thing about this,” Goetz said, “is that it’s an award, not a scholarship. “It helps with living expenses. It can be money used to replace worn tires or a dead battery on a car needed to get to school, where computers and technology can be accessed. The award can help recipients get an education and launch new careers.”

Hillard echoed Goetz, citing community support as the foundation of Soroptimist service projects, including annual scholarships for graduating La Conner High School seniors and the prestigious Ruby Award, which honors women who make extraordinary efforts on behalf of others.

“Without this community,” said Hillard, “we’d be out of business. We have an amazing community, amazing customers and amazing volunteers.”

Hillard and Goetz said the La Conner Soroptimist roster has at various times boasted more than 60 members since the chapter’s inception more than 25 years ago.

“Nine of our charter members are still active today,” said Hillard, a 1985 La Conner High graduate who was encouraged by retired La Conner Schools administrator Maureen Harlan to join the chapter.

Harlan remains a vocal champion of what she terms “Soroptimism,” a can-do spirit that makes possible outreach missions like Live Your Dream.

“We believe in this,” said Harlan. “We believe in what we’re doing. We see the results.”

In the case of Live Your Dream, it’s a concerted campaign to transform lives and create opportunities for recipients to further strengthen their communities.

Women with dire financial needs enrolled in post-secondary courses – whether at community colleges, vocational-technical schools, or in-person or on-line classrooms – are encouraged to make application for the Live Your Dream award.

And to do so without hesitation.

“We want them in early,” said Goetz, who has been a Soroptimist for more than 20 years.

Applications can be made on-line at Soroptimist.org/awards. Additional assistance can be obtained by contacting [email protected].,

“The goal of this,” Goetz said, “is for recipients to come out with an associate degree and a bachelor’s would be great.”

Typically, La Conner area applicants are students at Skagit Valley College or Whatcom College.

But where a student is enrolled shouldn’t be a limiting factor, Goetz said. She is hopeful applications will start pouring in ahead of the November deadline.

“I know women in the La Conner area who haven’t applied yet,” she said.

Goetz and Hillard said the local community’s tireless rallying to the Soroptimist cause inspires their commitment to continued service.

“It’s a totally symbiotic relationship,” Hillard insisted. “It’s a lot of work, but there are a lot of rewards and we have a lot of fun.”

Or, as Goetz puts it: “I just can’t not be a Soroptimist.”