Soroptimist International of Port Orchard will commemorate 70 years of service to Port Orchard and South Kitsap with an anniversary celebration on May 1.

The event is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. at the Port Orchard Pavilion, 701 Bay St. The fundraising event is open to the public and will include appetizers and feature beer and wine tasting (for 21 or older), according to Bobbie Weatherill, local past president.

Tickets may be purchased from any Soroptimist for $25 prior to the occasion, or for $30 at the door. All funds raised will be used for projects aimed at fulfilling the organization’s mission of building better lives for women and girls and their families, here and around the world.

Soroptimist is an international business and professional women’s volunteer service organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, locally and globally.

According to Weatherill, the Port Orchard club was founded in the spring of 1945 by 20 business and professional women who believed the area would benefit from the organization.

“The club has undergone many changes over the years and has grown to be recognized as a significant force for the empowerment and advancement of human rights for women, here and across the globe,” Weatherill said.

For more information, go to www.siportorchard.com or email SIofPO@gmail.com.