Hospice of the North Coast staff attend Soroptimist of Vista’s annual fund raiser

The luncheon earned $3,000 in 2011, and “maybe a little better than $3,000 this year,” said club President Cherie Wilson, “because some checks are still coming in.”

There were 150 in attendance at the church, and 40 more lunches were taken out.

The funds go into a community service fund. Local groups that serve women and children may apply for grants from that fund.

“The Salad Lunch is one of our most successful events because we have so much support from the total community. Year after year they order lunches for their staffs in their offices,” said Wilson.

Four local eateries donated food to augment the members’ contributions: Souplantation on University Avenue, Panera Bread on Main Street, the Starbucks Coffee on East Vista Way and Apple Spice Junction —- all in Vista.

Sponsors of the Salad Luncheon were Allstate Exclusive Agent and owner Dee Dee Timmons, Thoralinda Soyland’s TLC Chiropractic and Judy Haddon and Sea Witch Marine. Other sponsors were Catspaw Construction’s Catherine Manis, the Veterans Association of North County, and Judith K. Gregorie and the Law Offices of Gregorie & Gregorie. Also sponsoring were Terry Flynn’s Kenny’s Kar Klinic , Tri City Realty andEden Weinberger’s Servepro of Carlsbad.

Soroptimist International is a network of women who volunteer their time and talents in community service. In Vista, the organization has staked out four focus areas: fundraising —- supporting women and girls locally and worldwide while having fun; public awareness —- making sure the whole world knows about Soroptimists; programs —- bringing informative topics to members for education, awareness and advocacy; and membership —- ensuring a strong collaboration of business and professional women.

The Vista Club’s projects include the Women’s Opportunity Awards, the Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence, Club Grants for Women and Girls, the Violet Richardson Award, Disaster Grants for Women, Domestic Violence Prevention, Human Trafficking Awareness, Higher Education Scholarships and community service and support.

Runa Gunnars was the chairwoman of the event, while the committee was made up of most of the club members.

Some of the Soroptimists and their guests on hand were Jackie Piro, Aleta Dirdo, Rachel Beld, Nelly Jarrous, Aly Zimmermann, Jan Dyer, Deborah Trusty, Kaye Van Nevel, Vic Gregorie, Michelle Davis, Shirley Harvey, Tammy Megison, Debbie King, Kimberly Morseth, Tamara Marthens, Halima Martelli, Crystal Guerra, Maria Fanjul, Brittany Forester, Sandra Fichter, Leslie Boganhuyck, Shelly Dew, Yvette Williams, Chari Goddard, Dottie Pechek, Jean Barnebee, Betsy Heightman, Callie Stewart, Jan Erickson, and Nadine Kaina.