Altrusans gathered Oct. 21 to assemble fabric squares into a wall hanging.
Bloomington Altrusans celebrated Make a Difference Day Oct. 27 by assembling 44 cloth squares illustrated by inmates of the Monroe County Jail into a wall hanging. The seven members met Oct. 21 at Amal Altoma's home and contributed a total of 56 hours on this project, part of a national action held each October.
Altrusans continued their fall service projects with food donations to Monroe County United Ministries' food pantry. The club recently resolved to donate $50 per month to food pantries, alternating between MCUM and the Hoosier Hills Food Bank.
During the holiday season, members will ring bells for Salvation Army donations at College Mall. Club members also are collecting mittens and hats for the Salvation Army to distribute this winter.
At the November meeting, Altrusa welcomed Toni Ellis from the Lexington, Ky., Altrusa chapter. Members talked about various activities and compared notes with Ellis about ways Altrusans can serve their communities and maintain healthy membership.
At the October meeting, Shari Woodbury, president of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Inc., told members about the organization's efforts to support and improve the area.
Altrusa members always are looking at ways to raise money to fund scholarships for high school students' higher education. They continue to sell Kroger and Marsh grocery cards, which generate five percent of total sales.
The group also initiated a new project. Each member will bring an auction item to the monthly meeting during her birthday month. The item will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the general funds.