THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701160110
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CAROLE O'KEEFFE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 54 lines
SOME WOMEN WHO used to meet regularly for a fun night out have formed a group that now meets, not just for fun but for humanitarian reasons as well.
The women, most with husbands, children and jobs, are members of a group called Sertoma by the Bay. Its purpose: service to mankind.
There has been ``phenomenal growth'' since the charter date some five months ago, said international director William Cherry.
First known as the Cooperative Club, Sertoma was founded April 11, 1912, in Kansas City, Mo., for businessmen only. As the club grew to international proportions, it changed its name and its focus from benefiting businessmen to providing services to humanity.
In 1984, women began joining forces with their philanthropic brothers.
This new club has racked up a noteworthy share of firsts and largest since it chartered with 80 members Aug. 31, 1996. As many as 125 have attended during membership drives.
It has other distinctions, as well.
It is the first, and remains the only, women-only club in Virginia.
It is the largest club in the Atlantic Region, which includes Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
It is the largest all-female Sertoma club. Others operate in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico in addition to the United States.
``While networking and socializing are important to this Sertoma,'' Cherry said, ``the major thrust is they may one day help build a shelter for battered women.''
Cherry attributed the club's seemingly instant success and growth to ``extreme enthusiasm. They talk to their friends, who also want to join,'' and to the need locally for assistance for battered women.
The group helped two shelters, one in Norfolk and one in Virginia Beach, over the holidays with food baskets. Members also raise money, donate clothing and other goods, sponsor lectures on child/spouse abuse and sponsor self-defense classes.
Members come from all walks of life, noted president Caroline DaSilva.
Virginia Beach native Pam Ford, a computer systems analyst, heard about Sertoma from friends. ``I had never been involved in a community organization, but had always wanted to be,'' she said. ``We're all getting older,'' she said of the members. ``This is another phase of our lives. We have been through who we are and what we want to do with our lives. We tend to think more about the needs of others.'' MEMO: The Sertoma group meets once a month. The next meeting is Feb. 13
at 7:30 p.m. at Mahi Mah's at Atlantic Avenue and 6th Street. Call
Carolina DaSilva at 422-5452 for additional information. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CAROLE O'KEEFFE
Caroline DaSilva, president of Sertoma by the Bay, listens while
Donna Claud, right, tells club members about an upcoming event.