Altrusa International Service Projects
A database of Service projects from throughout our Altrusa organization
Schoolfest is a long standing literacy project held at the annual Saturday parade prior to the 4 day community Rodeo. A large variety of children’s books are purchased as well as adult books. Tables are set up in a local park to display books and they are given away at no cost to recipients. Over 600 books are given away by club members manning the tables. Just another example of how the Sikeston club is leading to a better community.
Celebrate Reading is an annual Altrusa literacy project held on Dr Suess’ Birthday and the same time as the Read Across America program. The club purchases class room sets of books to read at the public and private preschools as well as public kindergarten in the community. Altrusans read the book to their assigned class then distribute new copies of the book read to each of the children. This project supports the literacy skills of each child and advances their education. Generally, 300 to 400 books are distributed by the Sikeston club at the completion of this project.
This service project addresses the loss of a loved one. It is typically done the week of Valentine’s Day. Members submit names and addresses of people they know who have lost a loved one. Members gather to stuff gift bags with theme related food, candy, hand made fragrant soaps, inspirational cards or small books. This is a personal service project as the gift bags are delivered in person to the recipients, a project that clearly reveals the heart of Altrusa in Sikeston.
This project meets a community need that addresses the loss of a family member. Each year around Valentine’s Day, club members submit the names of people they know in the community who have lost a loved one. This good will project is intended to be a pick me up for those who have suffered a loss. Cute bags with theme food items, small gifts like fragrant soap, and inspirational cards and booklets are prepared and delivered to the recipients close to Valentine’s Day. This is an in-person project addressing loneliness and isolation.
Each December Club members prepare Goody Bags for 40 residents of Green Meadow Retirement Home. The Goody Bags contain winter necessities like chap stick, gloves, hats, etc. These Goody Bags are handed out on Christmas by the staff. In addition to the Goody Bags, the club supplies refreshments for the annual Christmas party for the residents of this assisted living center. Just one of the ways the Sikeston club is leading to a better community.
The “Tijeritas for Kids” (Scissors for Kids) service project arises from the need to provide free haircuts to children with limited economic resources in the town of Guánica monthly basis. Our goal is to impact the educational system of Guánica with free haircuts aimed at school-age students, in which good hygiene and sanitation practices are promoted to provide personal care and health service. The fusion of both concepts creates in the student a level of self-esteem and confidence based on their appearance. Due to the success of this service project in the town of Guánica, we will soon include elderly and disabled people from our community.
During the month of June 2022, the graduation ceremony of Aurea E. Quiles High School was made official. Altrusa International of Guánica awarded the scholarship grant to a special education student. This scholarship is awarded to a student for academic excellence, leadership, and commitment for serving our community.
During the month of May 2022, Altrusa International of Guánica, Puerto Rico carried out the activity “Altrusa te viste para tu Prom” (Altrusa dresses you for your Prom) with the aim that all low-income students can enjoy the celebration of their high school graduation party. Every year many young people in Puerto Rico cannot attend their Prom due to lack of economic resources to buy their clothes. Graduating students from the Áurea Quiles High School and José Rodríguez de Soto School managed to get their long-awaited suit, shoes, and accessories for the day of their Prom. Hair, makeup, and manicure arrangements were given away too.
Carroll County Altrusa is providing Comfort Bags to Grace House. Grace house is a shelter home for victims of domestic and sexual assault. The house is managed by Starting Point. These comfort bags include all of the personal care items one would need for an extended stay, giving the person(s) time to regroup and make their plan. Items: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, body wash, scrubby, towel, cloths, hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss plus a personal card of encouragement.
Artesia Altrusans partnered with the local girl scout and boy scout troops to collect and distribute non-perishable food items. Members were given permission to set up a donation station in front of the local grocery store. Flyers with specific food needs were passed out to patrons as they entered. Girl scouts were on hand to help pass out flyers and organize donations. They also took the opportunity to sell cookies! This increased the number of individuals who stopped – everyone loves Girl Scout cookies! Donations were collected from 9 AM until 4 PM on Saturday. All goods were distributed and taken to three different local food banks. The Boy Scouts came and helped Altrusans unload all of the products.
In total, over 1,000 pounds of food were donated. Benefitting three different local organizations that, collectively, serve over 3,000 residents. Artesia Altrusans look forward to this event every year. Spending time with the Scouts gives us a boost of energy and includes them in an opportunity to serve.
In the past, we have also partnered with local schools, who did their own canned food drives and then donated all of their collected items to our Club. The main benefit is allowing children to serve their community, building stronger leaders for the future.