Back to School Bash at HER Shelter

Debbie Apperson, Community Engagement Manager thanked the members of Altrusa who volunteered this year to support the Back to School Outfit event. 

She stated that together 115 children received new outfits and while it may be just clothes, it helps to improve self confidence which in turn promotes school success. This number represents more than double the number of children served in any prior year.

Altrusa of Tidewater Represents in Ethiopia and Kenya
Deborah Davis

Thanks so much to everyone for your support during the trip to Africa last month. I proudly represented our club and its generosity to many in need. Here are just a few examples. I will share more at the meeting.

I started in Ethiopia. I was able to visited a cancer center for women in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Women are able to stay there safely during treatment for cancer. In October, we collected socks for Socktoberfest. These were shared with the ladies currently at the center and extras were left for future residents. It was cool and rainy during our visit so warm socks were a welcome treat! Thanks to all who helped with this endeavor!! 

Then as I headed to Kenya, I was able to share our Altrusa love with the Mirror of Hope Tailoring Program in Nairobi. This is a six month program for young mothers who learn a skill to help them support their family in a meaningful way. We were able to donate more than 100 spools of thread for them to use in their program. They were so happy that someone they had never met would be so kind to them. Thank you all for caring about others worldwide!!! 

Introducing Elizabeth B
By Barbara S.

Our newest Altrusan, Elizabeth, was initiated in March. Elizabeth was born into a military family - a family of service. She learned to care about people from her dad who was in the US Army and her mom who was a nurse. During her Catholic School education, she participated in a lot of projects and fundraising to help those less fortunate. Additionally, while living on the Army base during the Vietnam era, there was a lot of need. Everyone took care of each other. 

After graduating from Columbus College, in Columbus, GA, she attended Dental School at the Medical School of Georgia. A lot of Vietnam Vets were in Dental School as instructors and at least one third of her class were Vietnam Vets. One summer during the external rotation requirement of Dental School, Elizabeth worked in the Public Health Dental Department. She found her calling doing dental work with indigent people. In public health, she could do the most good teaching prevention and dental health  education to a wide population with the greatest need. Liz came to Virginia because it had the biggest Public Health Dental Program at the time she graduated from Dental School. Obviously, Liz could do the most good here. 

She served several rural counties around Richmond and the Tidewater area with the VA Health Department. Liz was instrumental in establishing the Fluoride Program in Virginia. She wrote the original grant and directed the program. She is proud to say that 95% of all the public water systems in VA are treated with Fluoride that is beneficial to the dental health of the citizens.

Elizabeth retired from the Isle of Wight Public Health Department after 40 years. She lives in Smithfield with her cat. Her two sons are very musically talented. Barbara S. first met her sons when they played ukuleles in a Hawaiian combo for a February Luau/Wine Tasting in the Smithfield Gardens Greenhouse. Most recently Dale Paul played in an Irish Drinking Band for St. Patrick’s Day. His day job is the Brew Master for the Armed Forces Brewery. Her son Steve is completing his Residency at the VCU School of Medicine. 

Liz spends as much time as she can with her 3 granddaughters, Roma Jean, age 3 years, Iris, 8 months and Francis, 4 months. Besides Altrusa, Liz is a member of the Tidewater DayLily Society. She is pleased to become an Altrusan where she can continue being of service to the communilty.