During the year Altrusans serve our community in many ways:
MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY October - See the Make A Difference tab for more information about our 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 projects.
BABY FIRST BOOKS Each month we deliver 25-30 (English and Spanish) board books to the Storks Landing at Delta Memorial Hospital. These books are given to parents for their new babies.
LIBRARY/LITERACY PROJECTS We put children's books in the ER waiting room at the hospital and also donate gently-used paperbacks to the pink ladies for their gift shop. We give childrens and adult books to the women's shelter as needed. We give children's books and cassette tapes to prisoners at the Delta Correctional Facility in the Read to a Child program. (The men are recorded reading the book; the tape and book are then sent to his children. This helps keep the fathers more involved in their children's lives.) Books used on tables at the fall Sugar Plum Festival are donated to the public and school libraries.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS In past years, we have given more than $25,000 in scholarships (up to seven @ $1000 each year) to residents of Delta County. Scholarship applications (PDF forms) are available on our website all year, and in the public libraries in March. Applications are reviewed in April and decisions announced in May.
FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS We help on Thursdays at our local food pantry to hand out food to families in need, and Altrusans generously donate food throughout the year. We also have an Altrusan serving on the Board. The Food Pantry is located at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 6th and Meeker Streets, in Delta.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS FOR PROJECTS INCLUDE:
DELTARADO DAYS KICKOFF DINNER We prepare and serve dinner for about 300 people each year during the annual festival. Our tasty menu usually includes roast pork in apricot sauce, beef brisket, coleslaw, potato salad, homemade rolls and chocolate cinammon or hummingbird cake for dessert.
SUGAR PLUM FESTIVAL This two day event is held the weekend before Thanskgiving, officially kicking off the holiday shopping season. Friday evening we have an upscale market with local vendors, hors d'oeuvres, local authors autographing and selling their books, and table viewing. Altrusans (and friends within the community) set tables based on the theme of a book they choose. The book is displayed on the table Friday and through the luncheon on Saturday, then donated to local libraries. Saturday morning the vendors are open, then they close from for the luncheon--again a tasty menu prepared by Altrusa cooks--and fashion show.
HOME TOUR This four hour tour on a pleasant Sunday afternoon in the Spring is a great way to see the sights of Delta and visit some of it's unique showcase homes. Usually 5-7 homes are on the tour, each with unique features of architecture, decorating or building materials. Most have information on the local craftsmen who helped it all come together into the stunning home you are touring.
SELLING COOKBOOKS We have a cookbook of wonderful recipes created by many local Altrusans. These cookbooks are for sale at the Sugar Plum Festival and the Deltarado Days barbeque, or anytime at Ruby's Floral, 755 Main Street, 874-7511 in Delta.
**Our Service committee chair would be happy to discuss any projects you might need assistance with. We can't do them all, but we are always looking for hands-on projects and if we can't help, we can point you in the right direction of someone who can. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions, and would love to have you join our club if you are interested in helping your community through service projects.