Soroptimist International of Calaveras County’s Saturday of Service project filled 125 “First 5 California” kits for new parents last Saturday morning, March 7th. First 5 California recently accepted an award from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs for its kit for new parents, bringing national recognition to this comprehensive parenting resource. Since the original kit for new parents launched in 2001, more than 2.5 million kits have been distributed to California families through partnerships with hospitals, clinics, county agencies, home visitation programs and parenting education providers. The kit includes everything from practical advice on prenatal care to information about a child’s first five years, and is available for free to new and expecting parents in California. The kits, provided by the HRC-Head Start program, included bibs, medicine spoons, nail clippers, hooded towels and small teddy bears along with informative literature for the new parents. Soroptimist International celebrates Saturday of Service around the world each year on the first Saturday in March, with clubs serving their community with their own unique project. Soroptimist members above are from left to right: (Back row) Karen Varni, Barbara Draper, Gloria Corey, Bev Stewart, Joan Andersen, Chyrl Hillis, Paulette Stelte, Sheila Neal. (Front Row) Toni Welch, Teddi Paul, Julie Moore, Trish Frazier. (Not pictured): Kathi Flores (photographer), Monica Smithers, and Karen Strand. To learn more about Saturday of Service and Soroptimist, visit their website www.sicalaverascounty.org or call 736-1947. For more information, visit www.first5california.com.