Since 2011, the Santa Clara/Silicon Valley Soroptimists have celebrated Spring with its Classy Bag Affaire luncheon fundraiser at the Santa Clara Marriott, auctioning handbags filled with treats ranging from gift cards and jewelry to wine country weekends and sports tickets. And new this year was an opportunity to support Soroptimists’ programs directly.
This year’s event on Apr. 25 was no exception, drawing nearly 250 guests to bid on dozens of treat-stuffed bags. In addition to the auction, guests enjoyed raffle prizes, a silent auction — new — and door prizes for lucky ticket holders.
“This year we introduced the Fund-A-Need,” said event committee member Flordelisa Harris. “Guests could raise their paddle to support our programs at various monetary levels: Live Your Dream, Dream It, Be It and Annual Christmas Store.
“Also, we had more corporate sponsors than in the past,” she continued, “which allowed companies to help our cause and gain some marketing exposure. This gave us a headstart going into the event to offset costs.”
Classy Bag 2026 was the biggest yet, grossing $135,000. Among the notable gifts were a Santa Clara Firehouse Dinner for 10, a Tomahawk Private Dinner for eight people and sports memorabilia.
This year’s hardworking event committee included Dr. Fella Benyammi, Flordelisa Harris, Nikki Hufana and Kim Tucker.
“This was a monumental year because the previous chair of 13 years, Birdie Pacelli, passed the baton to a new team,” said Tucker. “We had big shoes to fill and a lot to learn. A big thank you goes to everyone that helped make the event a success, including those who worked behind the scenes and our Peninsula volunteers.”
Classy Bag proceeds fund from the Soroptimists’ projects serving women and girls, such as the Live Your Dream award, providing financial assistance to women entering or re-entering the workforce.
Other programs that the club supports include: Dream It, Be It, career support for girls; the Family Assistance Christmas Store, bringing joy to more than 100 families who would have no Christmas otherwise; and HomeSafe Housing for battered women and monthly birthday parties for children at domestic violence shelters.
For more information about Soroptimists International Santa Clara Silicon Valley, visit siscsv.com or siscsv1@gmail.com
Carolyn Schuk can be reached at carolyn@santaclaraweekly.com.
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