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SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF ASHLAND Soroptimists rental of pillows at OSF has benefited community for 66 years Comment By Christina Christensen Soroptimist International of Ashland DailyTidings.com By Christina Christensen Soroptimist International of Ashland Posted Jun. 29, 2015 at 8:43 PM By Christina Christensen Soroptimist International of Ashland Posted Jun. 29, 2015 at 8:43 PM » Social News Soroptimist International of Ashland has been working to benefit women in the Rogue Valley since 1946 and began their relationship with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 1949. Over the years the relationship has grown and become a true partnership, with OSF providing staff to assist with collecting rented pillows and blankets after the show. OSF provides payroll for the late night staff and reimburses SI Ashland for coupons. OSF includes SI Ashland in the Company Call and provides an excellent liaison, Audience Services Manager Radawna Wallace, to keep the lines of communication open. OSF has provided a place to store the inventory and keep it secure. Without this kind of partnership, it wouldn’t be possible for SI Ashland to manage the great fundraiser it has become. In the early days, Soroptimist members walked among theatergoers on a grassy knoll with benches hoping to rent pillows. It is rumored that one small in stature woman fell into one of the boxes trying to reach the last pillow. That first year a profit of $28 was made. In 1956 blankets were added to the inventory. Over the years, the pillows and blankets had a less than professional, funky appearance, but in recent years the pillows and blankets have become standardized, things run more smoothly and the pillow booth is treated like the successful business it is. Every member participates with the fundraising project in one way or another. Every night the outdoor theater is open, you will find two Soroptimists working their shift to benefit the community. SI Ashland takes on the responsibility of laundering the inventory, sorting them and weeding out those in need of repair or replacement. All pillows are made and cared for by the members of SI Ashland. There are two overall organizational managers, 10 members who step up into monthly management positions and two members who are training to become organizational managers, as well as all membership working in the booth throughout the summer. Laundry parties and drying wet inventory occurs throughout the season. There is a dimension of adventure when nature’s elements decide to wreck havoc the night of a performance. Staff collects the inventory and the next morning four Soroptimist members, who have been on call for a two-week period, gather early to transport wet inventory to the laundromat, making sure all is ready for the night’s performance. Proceeds from the relationship between SI Ashland and OSF benefit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, various scholarships, grants and needs in the community. In 1957, $250 was awarded to a woman in the costume department at OSF. This year, after operating expenses were deducted, SI Ashland awarded the OSF FAIR program (Fellowships, Apprenticeships, Internships and Residencies) $26,115. Scholarships and cash gifts for women in the community amounted to just over $10,000 and the balance will benefit others as needed. In 2014 total profits from rentals amounted to more than $61,000. Soroptimist International of Ashland would like to sincerely thank everyone who has ever rented a pillow or blanket at the Allen Elizabethan Theater. You’ve made a difference. —Christina Christensen is a member of Soroptimist International of Ashland. By Christina Christensen Soroptimist International of Ashland DailyTidings.com By Christina Christensen Soroptimist International of Ashland Posted Jun. 29, 2015 at 8:43 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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