Our Service Projects
Local Literacy Needs – We collect books and magazines and distribute monthly to various organizations including Delta Health, Families Plus, Delta County Library, Hilltop, Pregnancy Resource Center, River Valley Convenient Care, Delta Food Pantry, 180 Ministries, Vision Resource Center and others in our area. We distribute up to 100 books per month. We have also given Chrome Books to a couple of these agencies for clients to use.
Baby First Books is a Project we have been doing for over 20 years. A small book and sometimes a toy is put in a packet and given to each and every baby born at the Delta Health Hospital in hopes the parents start reading to their child right away, as Literacy is Altrusa’s main focus.
Read to a Child is a program we have partnered with at the Delta Correctional Facility in which inmates can read a book to their child on video and the book and video is sent for their child to enjoy. This helps keep families connected in difficult times. We give books, CDs and mailers for the program.
Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students In past years we have given more than $50,000 in scholarships (up to seven at $1000 each year) to residents of Delta County. Scholarship applications are on our website starting in October of each year.
ASTRA Scholarships – Members of local ASTRA Clubs (youth arm of Altrusa in Delta and Cedaredge) are eligible to apply for $1000 scholarships as they go forward with their continuing education goals.
Professional Development Grants – This is a new program in which we will fund ongoing education classes that enhance a Delta County resident’s employment. Look for applications online where you can apply for up to $500.00.
Delta Food Pantry – Our Club volunteers each and every Thursday to hand out food to families in need. We also donate food throughout the year. We also have an Altrusan serving on the Board of the Delta Food Pantry which is located at St. Michael’s Church.
E-Waste Recycling Project is a joint event with Alpine Bank, Double J Disposal, and Delta Rotary Club where we collect E-Waste and take it to a recycling facility so it is not put into our landfills. We have helped recycle over 100,000 pounds from our annual event over the last 10 years.
Abraham Connection is our local Homeless Shelter.
We help gather supplies to “Stock the Shelves” in the Fall and on occasion have had members cook meals during the months it is open.
We Care Bags are hotel toiletry items we put together in kits to hand out to several places including the Food Pantry, Hilltop Resource Center, Partners, Abraham Connection, and any other organization that might deal with displaced people in our community.
Christmas at the Fort – We partner with Fort Uncompaghre for a hands-on event for the public to attend and experience Christmas at a time when the Fort was operational (1900’s). Santa arrives; there is a live Nativity Scene and campfires and lighting of the Christmas Tree. This event is held just after the Annual Parade of Lights.
GOT SNEAKERS
-Got Sneakers-we are collaborating with the GotSneakers organization to reduce the number of sneakers going into the local landfill and putting good used sneakers back into use by those who need them
Days for Girls is Altrusa International’s chosen Service Project. This is a global organization whose mission is to advance menstrual equity, health, dignity, and opportunity for all. They transform periods into pathways for girls in impoverished countries. Altrusa of Delta has supported two sewing teams on the Western Slope for several years. Daysforgirls.org