Stuff the Bus
First stuffing held November 19 and 20, 2005!
Held at the Butler Plaza, Altrusans and community members collected school supplies to donate to homeless children.
Literacy
Altrusa Read-in for Literacy
Dozens of Altrusans and community members held a successful Read-In on March 27. Every public school in the county had readers in grades K-2nd grades. Altrusa also donated books to the media centers at each school.
Pen Pal Project
The Pen Pal project began five years ago with Lake Forest Elementary School. Over the last three years Altrusa has been working with 3-3rd grade classes at Williams Elementary School. Although Altrusans were the majority participants, we had a significant number of friends and family who also became pen pals.
One of the goals of this literacy project is to give students practice at writing. We accomplish this task by giving them a unique purpose to write - to build a relationship with a pen pal. Letters are exchanged approximately every six weeks throughout the year, culminating in a final in-person exchange at our May luncheon. Altrusa treats the students, teachers and coordinator to a wonderful lunch and exciting entertainment. Everyone enjoyed the experience.
Santa Fe Community College Scholarship
In 1976, our Altrusa Club established an endowed scholarship program to assist women attending Santa Fe College, which was the college’s first scholarship for women. The scholarships are for women over the age of 25 who seek to change direction, pursue new career opportunities or who need to enter or re-enter the job market after raising a family.
We have four scholarship recipients this year and each will receive $1,600. The first recipient is Shirley Moore who is 44 years old with two children, ages 18 and13. Shirley is seeking an elementary education degree. Shirley started classes at SFC after graduating from Hawthorne High School; attended fall and spring terms but dropped out after two semesters. Twenty years later she was readmitted to the college. Her instructor wrote in her letter of recommendation that “Shirley has high academic principles and works very hard to succeed; she has the academic discipline and work ethic to succeed in any field she chooses”.
Our second recipient, Deborah York is 48 and has two children, ages 20 and 18. Deborah is working toward an AA degree and an AS degree in nuclear medicine. She has two semesters left to finish both degrees. She started SFC in 2005 and has been in school part-time, at night, taking classes to qualify for the nuclear medicine program. In August of 2008 she was one of 17 students selected out of 100 to enroll in this discipline.
Our third recipient is Maia Holzhower, age 29 with two children, ages 5 and 2. Maia is working toward a nursing degree. She wants to work as a registered nurse in a hospital emergency and or delivery department. Her ultimate goal is to work as a family practice nurse practitioner. Maia’s family has had multiple medical issues. Having spent so much time in hospitals and doctor’s offices, Maia was able to understand how quality nursing care affects the patient’s experience and recovery. That’s when she decided to enter the health profession.
Our forth recipient is Diana Flores, age 26 with three children, ages 5, 3 and 2. Diane is seeking a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, one of Santa Fe’s new four year programs. Diana wrote in her essay that she realizes that the way to provide a better future for her children is by getting a degree. Her recommendation letter states that “Diana has always displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and has a desire to accomplish her goals through hard work. She is definitely a leader rather than a follower.”
Camp Crystal Lake
Our club awarded Camp Crystal scholarships to ten worthy elementary and middle school students who were chosen by the school board based on need and good citizenship. The registration fees were provided by our annual club-wide fundraiser, Trading Closets; and trunks full of camping supplies were donated by Altrusans and friends. Committee members contacted each student/camper and family in order to: verify that all school physicals were up to date and camp paperwork was ready, coordinated with the camper and family needed necessities, shopped for specific items, delivered the trunks to the families, and arranged transportation to camp if necessary. A Stuff-the-Trunks party was held to assemble the trunk materials and arrange delivery of the trunks. Visiting the families and getting to meet the children was a rewarding experience for the committee.
International Activities
Naturalization Ceremonies
Every year the International Committee raises funds through fundraising events such as an International Dinner (every year it’s a different theme).
Russia Club
Our club is proud to have started the first Altrusa Club in Russia, Altrusa International, Inc of Novorossiisk, Russia. We continue contact and support with them.
Fundraisers
Trading Closets
Altrusa International of Gainesville’s 5th annual Trading Closets 2009 event raised a net of almost $17,000 for the two-day event held February 27 and 28. The proceeds from this event, our largest annual fundraiser, assist our club’s many valuable projects to benefit the citizens of Alachua County.
The Friday night Preview Event included the traditional Fashion Show where some of the terrific fashion finds can be showcased at this preview sale. We had live music at this event, thanks to the talent of Altrusan Kathy Villenga, as well as a celebrity host, Chris Doering, former UF Gator football player and wide receiver for the National Football League. Thirty-seven themed baskets were part of a silent auction, with baskets and contents provided through more than 95 percent participation of the membership. A raffle of seven baskets provided by local merchants yielded $500. The raffle was conducted by ASTRA volunteers. The silent auction of the baskets collected another $2200.
We had 160 in attendance at the Preview event: 25 percent members, 25 percent members’ spouses or family or members’ guests, 5 percent from other area Altrusa clubs; 5 percent complimentary tickets, 10 percent a response to invitations, and 30 percent NEW attendees.
Our Saturday event was equally successful due to signs advertising the event, as well as a mailing of postcards to “save the date.” 
Many thanks to Butler Enterprises, the Gainesville Women’s Club, our local merchants who supported our event with donated merchandise, and our members who donated clothes, worked the collection site, and attended the event.
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