2008 Cool Club Service Ideas and What’s Happening in District Three 

Information from 2007-2008 Club Activity Reports

Successful Service Projects, Joint Projects, Fundraising Projects, and Award Entries

The following club project ideas are based on self report from the 30 different clubs in District Three.  Please feel free to contact the individual club presidents to get more information.  The roster of club presidents (with contact information) is available on the District Three website under rosters. Some of the projects may be listed in multiple categories.  If you need help, please e-mail drrobin1@comcast.net for contact information.

Most successful service projects

1.      Altrusa International of Anderson, SC - Semiannual Job Preparation Workshops for women at the Anderson Sunshine House homeless shelter and Safe Harbor II domestic abuse shelter. 

2.      Altrusa International of Asheville, NC - Holiday Magic provided gifts for over 500 Meals on Wheels recipients in the county.

3.      Altrusa International of Atlanta, GA - Installing book box and book collections for two shelters and hospital.

4.      Altrusa International of Caldwell County, NC - Established ASTRA Club to involve young people in leadership training and service.

5.      Altrusa International of Chapel Hill, NC – Our Children’s Place is a building remodel in a new women’s prison where they can keep their pre-K children.

6.      Altrusa International of Charlotte, NC - Pinewood Elementary School- donation of school supplies, reading day, angel tree project, etiquette classes. 

7.      Altrusa International of Columbus, GA - 2^nd Annual Home Electronics and or Toxic Chemical Recycling to help rid homes of hard to dispose of items.

8.      Altrusa International of Durham, NC - Lincoln Community Health Center 

9.      Altrusa International of Gaffney, SC – Relay for life raised funds for cancer research and helped local cancer patients with travel expenses.

10. Altrusa International of Gainesville, FL - Stuff-the-Bus to raise funds and supplies for homeless children in Alachua County.

11. Altrusa International of Gastonia, NC – Sold pecans over the holidays to provide funds through the Community Foundation of Gaston County.  Also supported the Mediation Center, Club Shoe Fund for school children, and scholarship at Gaston College.

12. Altrusa International of Lake City, FL – Tropical theme Gala held at Lake City Community College raised $’s to fund Lifestyle Enrichment Center’s reading/computer room.

13. Altrusa International of Lake County, FL - Women’s Symposium to provide a day of relaxation and information for women of all ages.

14. Altrusa International of Live Oak, FL - Christmas Tour of Homes to fund community donations, awards and scholarships.

15. Altrusa International of Marianna, FL - Coats for Kids provided coats for underprivileged kids.

16. Altrusa International of Monticello, FL – This is a tie with two programs A)  Parent/Child Home Program to bridge the preparation gap of children who are ready to succeed with those who are challenged because they come from disadvantaged families.  B)  Bunny Love is a program to assist nursing home residents with one on one interactions.  Residents are given a plush small bunny and visited by Altrusans and 4-H members. 

17. Altrusa International of North Georgia, GA - Scholarships for single moms provided higher education opportunities.

18. Altrusa International of Ocala, FL - Children’s Operetta exposed children to different literacy through the arts. 

19. Altrusa International of Orlando-Winter Park, FL Provided support for single mom with 10 kids.

20. Altrusa International of Raleigh, NC - Providing means to homeless women and serving the indigent at the open door Medical Clinic.

21. Altrusa International of Rocky Mount, NC - Quarterly birthday parties at local nursing home to entertain nursing residents.

22. Altrusa International of St. Augustine, FL - HIV AIDS fundraiser to provide funds for children’s camp.

23. Altrusa International of Salisbury, NC - USDA Food Distribution to distribute food to those in need.

24. Altrusa International of Spartanburg, SC - Encourage and reward students at Park Hills Elementary School when they excel at school.

25. Altrusa International of Starke, FL - Operation library Support for Bradford County provides readers in the classrooms and at the public library. 

26. Altrusa International of Statesboro, GA Activities that support children who are victims of domestic violence include Save Haven, holiday gifts, and school supplies. 

27. Altrusa International of Statesville, NC Provided books to American Charter School.

28. Altrusa International of Tampa, FL - Spaghetti Dinner to provide funds to help others.

29. Altrusa International of Waynesville, NC - Provided school supplies for needy children. 

Clubs involved with other agencies, local service organizations or
Altrusa Clubs in a joint service project

ü      Altrusa International of Anderson, SC - TL Hanna ASTRA Club assisted with the Altutor Project and the Anderson Area Society of Human Resource Managers assisted with the Job Preparation Workshops. 

ü      Altrusa International of Asheville, NC - County Spelling Bee with Bucombe County Literacy Council.

ü      Altrusa International of Atlanta, GA - Community Action Center and Heart Association.

ü      Altrusa International of Caldwell County - Caldwell County Women’s Shelter with an auction to raise funds.

ü      Altrusa International of Chapel Hill, NC – Our Children’s Place with the women’s prison in Butner, NC.

ü      Altrusa International of Charlotte, NC - Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child project.

ü      Altrusa International of Columbus, GA - Environmental Clean/Up with Keep Columbus Beautiful, Love Your Body with Daniel Alternative School.

ü       Altrusa International of Durham, NC - Welcome Baby, Rescue Mission 

ü      Altrusa International of Gaffney, SC – Relay for life with county and American Cancer Society.

ü      Altrusa International of Gainesville, FL - Valentine Day Bags for Peaceful Paths with Altrusa of Starke.

ü      Altrusa International of Gastonia, NC – Partnered with Foundation of Gaston County, Mediation Center, Club Shoe Fund for school children, and Gaston College.

ü      Altrusa International of Lake City, FL - Breast Friends with Lake City Medical Center.

ü      Altrusa International of Live Oak, FL - Chili Cook-off with museum, goodie bags with Vivid Visions, Tour of homes with Live Oak Artist Guild, collection of shelter needs with Suwannee County Humane Society.

ü      Altrusa International of Marianna, FL - Christmas Shoebox with Rotary.

ü      Altrusa International of Monticello, FL - County scouting with Kiwanis, community food pantry and Rotary, Bunny Love with 4-H members.

ü       Altrusa International of Ocala, FL - Children’s Operetta with Central Florida Community College, Literacy day event with Florida State Parks, make a difference day with United Way.

ü      Altrusa International of Orlando-Winter, Park, FL Books and school supplies with Heart of Frances, assisted family through PACE Center for girls, provided Holiday party with Treatment, Education and Preventative Services.  

ü      Altrusa International of Raleigh, NC - Prepare and serve meals through Urban Ministry and provide volunteer services to the Open door Medical Center.

ü      Altrusa International of St. Augustine, FL - AIDs & Homeless Coalition fundraiser. 

ü      Altrusa International of Salisbury, NC - Social Services ROTC, & Youth at Risk with USDA Food Commodity Distributions.

ü      Altrusa International of Spartanburg, SC - Partnered with Denny’s Restaurant  to provide rewards to Park Hill Elementary School students.

ü      Altrusa International of Starke, FL - Kiwanis, Santa Fe Community College, City, & Shands worked in collaboration on downtown community Chrismas, time capsule activity, project grad night, and Women’s health issues. 

ü       Altrusa International of Statesville, NC - America Charter School with books.

ü      Altrusa International of Tampa, FL Volunteered to assist Special Olympics, PBS fundraising, &Storytelling festival.

ü      Altrusa International of Waynesville, NC - Rotary co-sponsored School Supplies drive.

AWARDS

Clubs who submitted entries for the Letha H. Brown Literacy Award.

ü      FIRST PLACE, Altrusa International of Ocala, FL - Literary Month Marathon: Collaborated with other groups in the community for National Literacy Month.  Participated in annual read in for all Marion County elementary schools, and recruited 1,600 volunteers to read 19,000 children. In conjunction with local college, distributed 2,000 Three Billy goats Gruff Operetta booklets and sponsored performances.  Participated in Rainbow Springs Literacy day and Toys “R” Us read-in.  . 

ü      SECOND PLACE, Altrusa International of Asheville, NC - Literacy Spelling Bee:  With Literacy Council of Buncombe County, coordinated Spelling Bee to raise funds and awareness of programs.  Assisted with training for 240 tutors who volunteered 10,000 tutoring hours.  

ü      THIRD PLACE, Altrusa International of Starke, FL - Operation Library Support for Bradford County:  Provided books, software for computer lab, & hands of reading programs in all libraries in the county and donated school supplies for teachers and students.  Contributed 400 hrs. of service, $3,000 and reached 3,500 students. 

ü      Altrusa International of Atlanta, GA - Books for Children 2007:  Established library and distributed books to children who are part of the Community Action Center.  The CAC focuses on prevention of homelessness and provided basic necessities.  Worked with other community members and collected over 200 books.

ü      Altrusa International of Lake City, FL - Senior Center Library:  Raised $30,400 through annual GALA event to build a Senior Services Lifestyle Enrichment Center library and computer room.  Library is equipped with hard copy reading materials, computers with internet, and reading room. 

ü      Altrusa International of North Georgia, GA - Scholarships for Single Mothers:  Provided three $1,000 scholarships for single mothers to attend a technical college.  Raised funds via a luncheon with fashion sow, silent auction and raffle. 

ü      Altrusa International of Orlando-Winter Park, FL - Heart of Frances:  Provided support services to cancer patients and their families.  Established a library and provided school supplies and clothing for transitioning families.  Support included 2 bookcases, 180 books, 17 backpacks, clothing ad toys, holiday items, and household items. 

ü      Altrusa International of Spartanburg, SC - READ-ON:  Provided English and Spanish literacy bags to expectant mothers at OB/GYN Clinic.  Also provided books and information on importance of reading to babies to mothers of new babies through county health department. 

Clubs who submitted entries for the Mamie L. Bass Service Award.

ü      FIRST PLACE - Altrusa International of Starke, FL - Project Graduation Night:  Collaboration with community leaders and local college to provide safe, fun, & drug free night for high school seniors.  $10,000 in prizes and monetary donations were collected and 145 seniors were given a back pack filled with gifts.  This was the first death free graduating class in over 5 years.   

ü      SECOND PLACE - Altrusa International of Charlotte, NC - Hands in Action at Pinewood:  Partnership with elementary school with low performing students.  Provided etiquette classes on basic social skills, donated 15 bags of groceries, and concluded with a project that provided 35 families with Christmas gifts. 

ü      THIRD PLACE - Altrusa International of Monticello, FL Parent-Child Home Program:  Early intervention for school-readiness to at-risk children for future success.  A trained home person visited the at risk homes over a 2 year period to provide tools to the parent to become their child’s most important teacher.   

ü      Altrusa International of Atlanta, GA - Women’s Entrepreneurial Seminar:  Covered multiple aspects of starting a new business.  Allowed buding businesswomen to ask the how’s and where’s for business plans, funding, and other aspects of starting a new business. 

ü      Altrusa International of Gainesville, FL - Camp Crystal Lake Outdoor Educational Scholarships:  Provided 10 camp scholarships for underprivileged children to attend a one week residential camp.  The children experienced water sports, outdoor adventures, and special events.  The club assisted with completing paperwork, transportation, and providing camp supplies.

ü      Altrusa International of Lake City, FL - Breast Friends Educational Series and Luncheon:   Partnership with local hospital at luncheon to provide education about the importance of months self examinations and yearly mammograms.   Partnered 45 women in the community with 50 Altrusans as Breast Friends.

ü      Altrusa International of Ocala, FL - Food4Kids:  Provided food for economically disadvantaged families.  Members brought food to meetings, donated $1,125 from raffles and club budget to purchase extended shelf-life milk.  Received $1,000 grant from local bookstore to purchase backpacks with wheels for kids to transport food. 

ü      Altrusa International of Orlando-Winter Park, FL - PACE Center for Girls:  Sponsored a single parent family of 10 at Christmas.  Through donations, the club provided 90 wrapped gifts, gift cards, toiletries, and like new clothes.  The club partnered with three businesses to support three additional families.  During the year, the club donated prom dresses and cosmetics to girls attending the prom. 

ü      Altrusa International of Spartanburg, SC - Park Hills Elementary School Project:  Club provided rewards (books, toys, games) for students with good attendance, academics and behavior.  Students were recognized by principal at assembly.  Denny’s Restaurant sponsored a Christmas party with gifts for each student. 

Clubs who submitted entries for the Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun International Relations Award

ü      FIRST PLACE, Altrusa International of Gainesville, FL – Held six meetings dedicated to International Relations.  Most outstanding program was their annual International Dinner “La Dolce Vita Toscana”.  Fundraising allows them to support their international projects which include the Marilyn Little Scholarship, Maria’s Children,and Heifer Project (ending hunger) Village in Africa.

ü      SECOND PLACE, Altrusa International of Orlando-Winter Park, FL – Dedicated two programs to International Relations. A) local shop provides income to Third world people by marketing their handicrafts.  B) On-going service project to send toiletries, tupperware and magazines to the troops in Iraq.