Tidewater Altrusan Newsletter
🌻 🌺 🥀 💐 May 2025 🌻 🌺 🥀 💐
🌻 🌺 🥀 💐 May 2025 🌻 🌺 🥀 💐
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President's Message
Hello fellow Altrusans,
Just a few updates and reminders--- Eight members from our club attended the 69th District Two Conference, which was both interesting and informative. Brenda Ruby was installed as our new Governor. Linda Smith, Altrusa's International President was in attendance. She's from Kansas and asked about one of our members also from Kansas. Do you know who that is? Keep reading and I'll let you know. There was plenty of good food and comradery. Our club received a number of awards, which we will share with you at our May 19th meeting.
Please bring donations of personal items for TCC students who are facing financial challenges. These donations will ease some of their struggles as they are continuing their education. Dr. Natali suggested any of the following: Toothpaste and toothbrushes, body wash, shampoo, combs, hairbrushes, hand sanitizer, feminine products, lotion, and baby wipes. I think household products would also be helpful, such as dish detergent, laundry detergent or facial tissues.
We will be celebrating Altrusa's 59th birthday on Sunday, May 18th at 2:00 at the Olive Garden in Greenbrier. Please let me know if you plan to attend as I need a count. Please do not reply to all. Just let me know either way about whether or not you plan to attend.
We will have our new board members installed at the May meeting.
Please pay annual dues of $100 at the May meeting if you have not already done so.
Our club's end of the year report requires a count of our total service hours, not counting our monthly meetings. Countable hours include, but are not limited to: Board meetings, production of a newsletter, workshops, conference attendance, service and other committee meetings, time spent in planning, preparation, execution and evaluation of fundraisers and service projects. These hours are important for our club to be designated a Distinguished Club, which is the highest honor given to a club.
At the conference, it was suggested that we should note the number of random acts of kindness we perform. Please think of the Random Acts of Kindness you have performed. There are so many types of these. We can discuss and get a count to report to International.
What's the answer to who Altrusa International President Linda Smith asked about? It was Ellen Barta! Apparently, they are from neighboring communities in Kansas.
Hope as many as possible can join us for our birthday celebration and our May meeting.
Kathy
New Pre-meeting Social Time location!
May 19th 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Huddle House Restaurant
473 Kempsville Rd , Chesapeake
See TIDBITS section below for details!
Bring to meeting May 19th:
Items for TCC Resource Center
Unpaid $100 club dues to Susan
Board Actions - May 2025
BOARD ACTIONS: The Board suggests we have a "Red Cup Raffle" at the Retreat. Members are asked to bring items that will be raffled at the end of the Retreat. We will sell tickets to be placed in Red Cups for each item. We collected over $100.00 with this fun activity at the last Retreat.
Volunteers are needed for a committee to plan the Area lll Fall Workshop on October 4, at Jo-Kell. It was the Tidewater Club’s turn to host the Fall Workshop.
Accent
Greetings Altrusans,
I hope this message finds you happy and well! As we continue our journey together, I just want to take a moment to say thank you — your support and friendship mean the world to me. Over time, these bonds we share feel more and more like family, don’t they?
On May 15th, we celebrated the UN International Day of Families, a perfect reminder of how important family and community are in our lives. This year’s theme is “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development.” If you'd like to learn more, here’s a link to explore:
UN International Day of Families
Let’s always remember — families build communities, and strong communities can unite the world. Our sisterhood is full of kindness and grace, and it’s the small, thoughtful things we do that make a lasting difference.
As May continues, we’ll also take time on May 26th, Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about what’s to come! Let’s keep supporting, inspiring, and lifting each other up every step of the way.
Warmly,
Tracey
All Service hours must be on file soon. The deadline is May 30th. Please look through your '23-'24 notes, calendars, etc., make a list, and post them. Thank you!
Here's how to add your hours:
⏫ Click the "Service Hours" image above this paragraph and answer a couple of quick questions.
If you'd like to check that you've already submitted hours, click here. When you add your hours, you can add info as a reminder for yourself. If you have any other questions about this, contact Joanne or Shari.
Please bring TCC Items to our meeting on May 19th
TCC Student Empowerment and Resource Center Supply Bank Items needed include: non-perishable foods; hygiene products; baby wipes, lotions, other baby needs, but not diapers. TCC students take classes year around.
There is always a need. Thank you.
Green Run Elementary School - Teacher Appreciation
Altrusa of Tidewater celebrated the educators of Green Run Elementary School with special treats during Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Members contributed healthy snacks and sweet treats for the event. The club purchased fruit and water to add to the snacks. Joanne and Ellen met to set up three tables with a colorful display of goodies. The teachers were invited to take a lunch bag and select as many items as they wished. There was lots of excitement expressed for the event. Thank you to all our members for their generosity and support of these wonderful educators.
Green Run Elementary School - Reading with Kindergarteners
Reading to the Kindergarten students is winding down for this school year. We only have two more opportunities to read to them.
Friday, May 23rd , is open for 2 people to volunteer. Friday, June 6th, the readers are Susan E. and Cathy M. We will be delivering a gift of books to each student, tentatively on June 6th. I will be speaking to the teachers tomorrow to see what works best for them. Information will follow at Monday’s monthly meeting and also via email. Let Joanne know if you'd like to volunteer for June 23.
The service team is so grateful to all who have supported Green Run Elem. students. Thank you for all you do!
Photos and Letters of Gratitude from Mirror of Hope Tailoring Students - Copies of additional letters will be available for you to read at the meeting on
May 19th.
Our Environmental Project Won 1st Place!!
Our submission is titled:
"Green Initiatives: Spotlight on Environmental Projects Making a Difference “
The Award spotlighted the many ways our Club made a difference.
“In addition to our monthly focus on recycling opportunities in our community, partnering with another organization by collecting plastic for an eventual bench, continued Days for Girls participation, partnering with the Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center by planting pansies which led to the planning of a sensory garden for residences, presenting a program on Earth Day, collecting gently used items for our Christmas bazaar and finally saving tons of paper by having our newsletter on line, our Club did become more aware of how we can interact more responsibly with our environment. As habits gradually change with education and awareness, our environment benefits.”
Don't miss the meeting on Monday,
May 19th! We'll hear more good news from the District Two Conference!
Join us in person or on Zoom
(Let Shari know if you'll be Zooming so she can send an invite to you.)
Our Altrusa Club has Two New Members!!
During the April meeting, two new members were inducted into Altrusa International of Tidewater, Inc. :
Susan E (sister of Cathy and Barb D) and Mariann.
From left to right: Colleen, Ellen, Joanne, Cathy, Susan E., Mariann, Lisa, and Marcy
Marcy, with help from selected members, performed the induction of Susan E. and Mariann.
Cathy M being "pinned" by her sister, Susan
Mariann being "pinned" by her friend, Lisa
A Few things About Mariann...
"I started gardening when I retired and each year it's my focus at spring time. I'm known to forget time. I'm also a proud mom for my
two rescue terriers. All three of us are enjoying senior living and naps. I'm just getting back into golf, for fun only, and enjoy the beautiful courses. I'm glad to be a member of the club!" -- Mariann
Communications: Chair, Shari
Want to ALWAYS know
what's coming up?
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Use this link to join.
Save PICTURE files as .jpg or .png
Please send ONLY newsletter stories, pictures, etc. to this account.
Beyond that, please use our personal email accounts.
Thank you!
Remember: For the privacy and security of all members, last names should not be included on any names that will be posted online.
Reminder! Club 21 dues must to be paid online. Use this link to update your personal Club 21 dues to support International Foundation.
Want to order items from Amazon for HOPE Village and other service projects? Check out this wish list created by Joanne (with a little help from her sister, Karen)!
Susan's report will be provide as soon as possible. Please be patient 😉
Opening Flag Ceremony
Phyllis C. carried the American flag and placed it prominently on the Dias.
Sherral carried the Canadian flag.
The International Convention will be in Quebec City in July.
Come share some relaxed social time before the meeting.
Huddle Up at Huddle House , May 19th, 4:30 - 5:15 pm
Huddle House Restaurant, 473 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake
It's at the corner of Kempsville and Green Tree Road,
in the same lot as the Walmart. See you there!
Let's Talk about June!
June and John spent 10 days in the Netherlands enjoying beautiful quaint villages, a unique Delft facility, amazing architecture, innovative flood control system, heart- warming World War 2 cemetery, thousands of bikes, wonderful people as well as sensational tulips and windmills. But that's not all! June gets to celebrate her birthday this month, too! What fun!!
Joanne's Wonderful Family Surprise!
Recently, the family planned what I thought was a Mother’s Day brunch. John and I were completely caught off guard! We were not even dressed up! We were so shocked to see family gathered in daughter Jenn’s front yard. The backyard was elegantly decorated with white clothed, round tables, flowers, balloons and banners. There was an omelet bar, a waffle bar and all kinds of goodies. The daughters manned the stations while the children , wearing black ties, waited on guests. It was a very special celebration! Here’s to 50 more years!
DSB Winter 2025
Governor's MessageApril 2025
District Two Service Newsletter:
Click here to view the March 2025 District Two Service Newsletter.
International is interested in gauging member interest in attending the next Convention in Quebec. Click here to complete the survey.
Convention Reminder!
Altrusans!
For our 2025 Altrusa International Convention in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, many of our attendees will need a passport to attend.
United States members can now renew their passport online through the U.S. Department of State website. To renew online, you will need a digital passport photo, which Walgreens offers for free with the purchase of a physical passport photo.
It is highly recommended to apply for a new passport/renew your current passport ASAP to ensure it will arrive before Convention. Follow the links below to renew your passport online and/or learn more about Walgreens passport photos.
US Department of State Passport Renewal Walgreens Passport Photos
Altrusa International Service Committee Newsletter - scroll to view all five pages!
President Linda is continuing Immediate Past President Kathy book challenge and we want you to be a part of it. President Linda firmly believe that literacy is the number one focus for Altrusa and we want to continue to enhance that commitment. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the lives of others ONE BOOK AT A TIME! The challenge is for Altrusans to distribute one million books and/or devote 500,000 literacy service hours to our communities during the 2023-2025 biennium. So how can you participate?
Develop a signature literacy project (or expand on an existing one) that will continue to grow and develop into the future. Large and small clubs alike can participate in this challenge.
2. Assign a record keeper to keep track of the number of books you distribute AND/OR the number of service hours you spend (for example reading to children, the elderly, participating in a book exchange … something that works for you, your club and your community).
3. Carry the project over through the next club year.
4. Send your numbers (for both years) to the International Service Committee before
June 1, 2025. The easiest way to record this is to record each time you club donates books so you don’t forget any!
5. Sit back and relish in the fact that you are making a difference …. ONE BOOK AT A TIME.
Remember the end goal is to enhance the lives of others. And the simple gift of a book to a child who has never had one can help eradicate illiteracy and give these children a chance to succeed in life. Will you accept the challenge and join our movement? We all know that Altrusans R.O.C.K. and what better want to REALIZE OPPORTUNITY, CREATE KINDNESS than to create intentional acts of kindess by donating books. As Altrusans we can make a difference! We can change lives – sometimes the book you donate is the only one a child can call their own! Let’s help others develop a passion for reading that will last a lifetime!
Click here to view the March 2025 edition, Volume 17, of the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc - The Impact.