Oct. 24 was a busy day for Bloomington Altrusa.
In honor of Altrusa International's Make a Difference Day, Bloomington Altrusans collected school supplies for Teachers Warehouse, a nonprofit that supplies materials to area teachers who often use their own money to supplement class projects. The club members brought supplies to the October meeting and set up a table in the lobby of Kroger South to collect a grocery cart full of supplies donated by shoppers.
On the same day, Altrusa volunteers handed out water to runners and walkers in the Jill Behrman Run/Walk. The members have been volunteering at Jill's House, a lodging facility for Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute patients and their families that is named in honor of Jill Behrman, an IU student who was murdered in 2000.
Delegates for the 2009 Altrusa International Convention in Indianapolis were Amal Altoma, Glenda Chestnut, Dawna Petersen and Margit Ruppe.
Altrusa of Bloomington recently held installation of officers for the coming year 2009-2010. They are President Glenda Chestnut; First Vice President Jo Ann Eberly; Secretary Barbara Edwards; and Treasurer Susie Voekel.
Members of the board of directors for 2009-2010 are Mary Ann Wampler, Norma Roper, Margit Ruppe, Dee Holtman, Evelyn Zolan and Amal Altoma.
The past year, Altrusans have volunteered at Jill's House, establishing and maintaining a computer library at the facility, which provides lodging for families of patients at the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute.
The group also has been maintaining the garden at Jill's House, volunteering hours to provide a lovely view for visitors.
The Monroe County Public Library recently thanked Altrusa for its contributions to the VITAL program, which helps adult learners, and the MCPL Quiz Bowl, a fundraiser that supports VITAL.
During the past year, Altrusa welcomed new members Evelyn Zolan, Valerie Sommer and Helena Walsh. Barbara Clark joined as a returning member.