Category «District Two»

“Supporting Our Community During The Pandemic”

Altrusa International of Martinsville/Henry County, VA is known for its commitment to community service—even in a pandemic. The local chapter wrote 560 thank-you notes to members of the Martinsville Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County EMS, Fire Departments, hospital staff members, including COVID-19 workers, hospital emergency room staff and housekeeping staff, and the Henry County Health Department staff.
A total of 208 thank-you cards were prepared for veterans, thanking them for their service to our country. These cards were taken to the Veterans Hospital complex in Salem, VA for distribution to residents and to the hospitalized and outpatient veterans being served.
In recognition of poll workers who worked at the voting precincts in November, signs stating “Altrusa supports the heroes working here” were delivered to the city and county registrar’s offices for display at all voting precincts in the Martinsville/Henry County area on Election Day.

“Smiling from Ear to Ear”

The story presented in the book taught children that they can wear masks to protect The book, Smiling from Ear to Ear, by Kaitlyn Chu, was suggested by members who had experience in elementary education, and the book was approved by the club membership. In the storyline of the book, some of our favorite animals wear masks and can and they can have fun and continue to participate in daily activities. The author wanted to help address the fears and struggles of the children by normalizing face masks in everyday activities by using colorful animals in a playful and imaginative approach. Through the story, children learned that they could smile ear to ear while wearing a mask.
The club chose three preschool programs in the City of Martinsville that were in proximity to one another. Six books were purchased so that two books could be donated to Happy Feet Learning Center, to the First United Methodist Church Early Learning Center and to the First Baptist Church of Martinsville Early Learning Center.
The children enjoyed hearing the story read by Dr. Huff. Literacy was promoted by reading the story to the children and by donating the books which students could read themselves or have the book read to them again. The book was chosen because its content was so appropriate to teach children the importance of wearing masks.

Spring Into Action At Grace Network

Altrusa MHC members, Nancy Bryant, Clarke Beckner, Lillian Holland, Karen Cecil, Linda Dorr, and Martha Woody recently spent time at Grace Network tidying up the “waiting room” in anticipation of opening Grace Network to walk-ins starting in May. This will be the first time the “waiting room” will be open to walk-ins since March 2020. Members spent time wiping down chairs, updating the informational bulletin boards and putting together client packets from Smart Beginnings. The packets include applications for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. #leadingtoabettercommunity #supportinggracenetwork #communityservice #

Altrusa MHC Supporting Community Heroes

Altrusa MHC Supporting Community Heroes
Altrusa International MHC Supporting Community Heroes who work at Day Care Centers in Martinsville and Henry County. Pictured First Baptist Church Early Learning Center.
The Day Cares recognized with signs include the following:
YMCA Early Learning Center, Collinsville YMCA, Terrie Finney FDH, God’s Creative LC, First Baptist Church Early Learning Center, Boys & Girls Club BR, Blessings From Above, First United Methodist Early Learning Center, Little Hearts, Sharon Martin FDH, Happy Feet ELC, Jennifer Moorefield, Rachel Carter FDH, Stanleytown Amazing Grace, and DeCapo Inspire.
#thankyou #altrusaservice #communityheroes

Vial of Life – rapid medical info for the elderly

Vial of Life enables EMT workers or family to grab a packet of medical information (conditions, medications, allergies, medical history, etc.) off the refrigerator when the patient may be rattled or unresponsive. A sticker on the front window alerts EMTs to the existence of the information. We partnered with Adult Children of Aging Parents to produce the packets and get them out to nursing homes, senior citizen centers, etc. EMTs love it. More info at www.vialoflife.com.

Jokesters Comedy program

Three (3) Altrusans developed a fun, enjoyable way to spend 30 to 45 minutes at nursing homes, senior centers, Red Hat Ladies, class reunions or any place where people want (or need) to laugh. They performed their Jokesters comedy routine for a group of Red Hat Ladies in New Freedom, York County. It turned out that this was a district meeting comprised of 25 club presidents (who call themselves Queens), and included women from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey as well as PA (our fame is spreading!). Also, they performed at the Church of God Home in Carlisle where they discovered they were to perform in a chapel – which meant no naughty jokes! They learned that they were being televised to all rooms so that all could see and hear. It was estimated there were 25
in the chapel and perhaps 75 viewers, and that both events were well received. Another performance was held at the Ecumenical Community, Harrisburg. Several Altrusans helped out with meeting and chatting with the approximately 35 attendees before the performans program began.

Altrusa Fire Pit/Reading to the Gnomes

Altrusans arrived at 9 a.m. to prepare for the day. The students arrived at 10 a.m., selected a carpet square and gathered at the fire pit. Steve Hoke (Gnome Home creator) greeted the students and told them that gnomes are protectors of the forests and love to have children read to them. The children and Altrusans then walked on the trail to spot the Gnome Homes and pick one to read to (older students helped younger ones – they loved doing this). Children brought books with them to read, and later visited the Little Free Library in the park where they learned that they could pick a book and/or leave a book. Soon it was lunch time, enjoyed by everyone. Lunch was followed by a few minutes of play time with footballs and Frisbees before gathering around the fire pit to make S’mores with Altrusa help, including wet wipes to clean off chocolaty mouths and hands! One more treat awaited them – an array of Altrusa bookmarks (made by club president Ann Tyndall) with colorful ribbons attached. The children selected a bookmark, teachers received Altrusa brochures and all boarded the bus at 2 p.m. to return to school in time for dismissal.

Operation Christmas Child

Our club members donated and packed supplies for 29 shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse. The boxes are delivered overseas for a program named Operation Christmas Child. The boxes contain toys, socks and some hygiene items for children. This has become a beloved activity for our club each year.

Creating A Literacy-Rich Emergency Waiting Room

Our club recently donated over 100 children’s books to be placed in the emergency room at the local hospital. The books are placed in the ER for children and adults to read while waiting to be seen by the medical staff. Children frequently take a book home.

The ER provides an ideal opportunity to reinforce the message about the importance of early literacy, and to offer important information to family members about how to read aloud to their children.