Projects

Altrusa Scholarships

In 2007,Altrusa Bloomington decided to once again offer scholarships to area high school students pursuing higher education. Any high school senior residing in Monroe County is eligible for the award, which may be used to further formal education at two- or four-year colleges or vocational training at an established institution. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the institution of choice on behalf of the winner.

Applicants must complete a form, compose an essay on the Value of Participating in Community Service and provide verification of service hours to a non-profit agency within Monroe County in the past year. Area high school counselors have received forms application materials and will distribute to interested students.

Fundraisers

Victorian Tea and Style Show

Altrusans plan to make the Victorian Tea and Style Show an annual fall event. The second annual tea in October drew over 100 attendees and raised over $1,500 to be used for local projects.

Grocery cards

Altrusans also raise money by buying grocery cards from Marsh and Kroger. Both stores rebate five percent to the club for the cards, which carry no additional surcharges for the buyers.

Literacy for Life

Literacy for Life is the Bloomington chapter's project designed to provide an umbrella of literacy activities across the life span to aid in protection from poverty of resources, material and spiritual. Three groups are served:

Newborns in the community will be presented with a new handmade blanket or quilt and a new cloth or board book along with a parent and child reading activity. We work with hospital personnel to determine the families who would benefit most. We are collaborating with the Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace to make quilts and collect books.

We are providing scholarships for adults learning to read by working with the Monroe County Public Library's Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners (VITAL) program. Scholarships help pay fees for out of county library card holders as well as testing fees for learners taking the GED.

We are taking our program into nursing homes, where Altrusa members read books, play games, write letters and tell stories with residents.

Make a Difference Day

Local Altrusans continue to participate in Make a Difference Day each year as well.

Oct. 23, 2004, members volunteered at Teachers Warehouse, a non-profit organization which provides donated materials and school supplies to area teachers for use in the class rooms.

Not only was this a fun project, but Altrusans furthered their interests in promoting literacy by supporting area school children.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Each year, Altrusa volunteers ring bells for the Salvation Army. This is just one of several ways members support community service programs in the Bloomington area. This year, ten members rang the bells and collected money for the group at College Mall. Members also donated 40 pairs of mittens, two hats and several scarves to the agency.