TRUCKEE, Calif. and#8212; Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner, an international volunteer organization for business and professional women, is seeking applicants for its recognition program targeted to young women who make the community and world a better place. The Violet Richardson Award honors young women, between the ages of 14 and 17, for volunteer action such as fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty.

and#8220;As a volunteer service organization for business and professional women, Soroptimist believes that by acknowledging young womenand#8217;s volunteer involvement now, they will grow up to be vital, active members of the community,and#8221; said Lil Schaller, president of the Truckee Donner club.

The Violet Richardson Award program begins at the local Soroptimist club level; Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner presents a $250 cash award to winners as well as a $250 donation to a nonprofit of their choice. Club-level winners then become eligible for one of 28 $1,000 awards. In addition, at this level, $1,000 will be contributed in honor of the winners to their volunteer organizations. One finalist will be chosen from among the 28 winners for an additional award, including a contribution of $2,500 to the finalistand#8217;s volunteer organization.

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Applications are available by contacting Noel Trim, Education Committee chair, at 530-308-3566 or via e-mail at soroptimistnoel@gmail.com . Applications are due Dec. 1, 2011.

The award program is named after Violet Richardson, the president of the first Soroptimist club in 1921. Richardson believed in personal responsibility and the motto, and#8220;Itand#8217;s what you do that counts.and#8221; She lived her life accordingly, as an active member in her community who was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women. Soroptimist established this award to honor the memory of this unique woman and her dedication to volunteer action.

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Founded in 1971, Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Its mission is to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Truckee Donner members join with almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories worldwide to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women. In addition, the club participates in Soroptimist International of the Americasand#8217; major service project, the Womenand#8217;s Opportunity Awards program and#8212; cash grants for women seeking to improve their economic situation through additional training and/or education.

For more information about how Soroptimist International of Truckee Donner improves the lives of women and girls, call President Lil Schaller at 530-550-5007.

and#8212; Submitted to aedgett@sierrasun.com