GARDEN GROVE : Group Wins Award for Day-Care Center

Soroptimist International of Garden Grove has won an international award for Lollipop Lodge, a day-care center it sponsors for children with mild illnesses.

Soroptimist International of the Americas Federation has named the Lollipop Lodge project one of the top three health-related projects in the federation, which has branches in many parts of the Americas and Asia.

Lollipop Lodge opened its doors in August, 1991, as a nonprofit day-care center that serves up to 12 mildly ill children, ranging from infants to 12-year-olds. The center cares for children for a charge of $25 a day.

A pediatric nurse is on hand each morning to conduct health screenings.

Local Soroptimists will find out in July if they have been awarded first, second or third place at a federation convention in Dallas, Tex.

“We are thrilled to be recognized on an international level for the success of a local service project,” Soroptimist president Cathy Standiford said.

“No matter what place we finish, being one of the top three entries from so many countries means a great deal to us.”

Standiford and Cathy Van Bruggen, Soroptimist president-elect and former Lollipop Lodge board president, will travel to the convention in Dallas to receive the award and to make a presentation on how Lollipop Lodge was started and what factors led to its success.

Lollipop Lodge, at 12852 Palm Ave., Suite 310, recently won a Disneyland Community Service Award.

Soroptimist International of Garden Grove is a group of business owners, professionals and executives dedicated to providing service to the community in the areas of education, human rights, the environment, health, and economic and social development.