Community Service
Through Community Service, Altrusans are working to make BranchCounty a better place in which to live. One aspect of the Club’s service is financial support of worthy organizations and projects. Community Service fund requests are due July 31. Please download the form and follow the submission instructions.
Fundraising for these projects comes from two major events. The annual Golf Scramble and Diamond Raffle. These fundraisers support the following service projects:
Parks Project
Altrusa is committed to our community. Part of this involvement has been in our “4 Corners Park.” As a club, we have been responsible for the flowers on the northwest corner for many years. Park Project information
International Relations
One of the focuses of Altrusa International is fostering international relations. Each year, Altrusa International of Branch County’s International Relations Committee hosts an event or project with the goal of enhancing international relations in our local community. International Relations information
Vocational Scholarships
Altrusa supports adult women returning to school to further their careers. Scholarship information
Literacy
In 1977, Altrusa became the first volunteer service group to adopt literacy as the focus of its community activities. In response, the Altrusa International Foundation incorporated “Action for Literacy” into its philanthropic focus and established the ABC Literacy Grants program. The Foundation has supported the efforts of countless local literacy councils and programs through its literacy awards. Literacy information
Happy Feet
Altrusa’s newest community service project has been named “Happy Feet” because that is the intent of the project – to make sure children in Branch County have warm and comfortable shoes, boots, and socks. The committee members are working with Branch County Head Start teachers and Branch County Public school teachers to identify children in need. The committee members then supply the shoes or boots either from their inventory or from a purchase.
The Shelterhouse & Teen S.H.A.R.E.
Shelterhouse was founded by Altrusa International of Branch County in 1986 to assist victims of domestic violence. Years later recognizing a need to help homeless teens, the group founded TeenSHARE which provides guidance and housing for teens in Branch County.
Other Community Support
Altrusa International of Branch County has provided support for the following Branch County area organizations:
- Women’s Health Fest
- Tibbits Opera House
- Naomi Davis Shelterhouse
- American Legion Girl’s State
- Food Bank of Southwest Michigan
- Girls on the Run
- CHC Breast Cancer Screening Clinic
- Presbyterian Health Clinic
- Great Start Collaborative