Be inspired by the Literacy projects shared by Altrusa District Nine Clubs...  Submission Deadline: June 30

 

Our club’s goal was to collect and distribute as many books for children, teens, and adults of all ages as we could. We collected over 800 books from various businesses, retired teachers, and club members. We labelled each book with our club logo and contact information. We contacted area organizations and schools and then delivered the books they wanted and needed.

 

To deepen our commitment to literacy throughout the whole year, Altrusa DFW successfully implemented BOOK BONANZA, a dynamic initiative that significantly broadened our reach and impact by cultivating a lifelong love of reading. In 2024-2025, we: • Distributed over 11,000 free books to 4,200 children; • Generated a community financial impact of approximately $23,100; • Received powerful feedback from community leaders affirming the difference we are making in these children’s lives.  By providing these tangible tools for literacy, we met our goal of sparking a lasting passion for reading in thousands of children, while fostering a sense of dignity for those experiencing poverty.

 

The Achievement Center of Texas has been serving special needs individuals and their families for nearly 50 years. This project provides appropriate literacy experience for ACT’s students through an inviting library space. COVID impacted ACT significantly, resulting in the loss of their lease and all materials. With the financial and hands-on support of Altrusa, partnered with an Eagle Scout candidate, ACT is able to provide a library in their new facility. This project benefits students, staff, and volunteers of ACT as it provides a relaxing and fun environment to unwind and fall in love with books.

 

This entry details the Altrusa Club’s initiative during the city’s annual Halloween event, where we aimed to enrich the holiday experience for children, especially those from low-income households. Our project combined the joy of candy distribution with the gift of literacy by giving away 600 new children's books in a safe, festive environment. With enthusiastic member participation and resourceful organization, we created an engaging atmosphere that fostered community spirit and encouraged a love for reading among the young attendees. The success of our efforts is highlighted through the joy of approximately 850 children who participated, showcasing our commitment to service and literacy while promoting awareness of Altrusa's mission within our community.

 

Altrusa Pampa planned seven literacy projects with specific goals to work through, in and for the community. Projects spanned birth to senior adults and included different ethnic groups. Organizations impacted were Pampa's city library, Pampa ISO, nursing homes, and Pregnancy Support Center. With a grant from Altrusa International Foundation, our library purchased 280 Spanish children's books helping 19.8% of our citizens who only speak Spanish. We distributed books, read to and listened to children read. Literacy empowers citizens in a community to have a better life.

 

Altrusa International of Richardson’s "Supporting Our Local Schools" initiative impacted Richardson ISD through a unified effort by four service committees. Projects included backpacks for new students, classroom grants for new teachers, Choose Kind Libraries, Busy Bags for the RISD Intake Center, grief resources for Journey of Hope, and scholarships for deserving high school seniors. Altrusa Richardson also donated athletic shoes to students in need. These projects, supported by fundraiser proceeds and a Foundation grant, directly benefited students, educators, and families—promoting kindness, resilience, equity, and opportunity. Our club’s commitment continues to be a powerful example of how focused service can transform local education communities.

 

Literacy extended into families by presenting Dragoo Goes Pop! to all 1,348 kindergarten and 1st grade students in Temple. The program included a presentation to each class, each student receiving the book, lessons and enrichment activities with supplies to teachers and counselors as well as many community partners. The program was also taken to Honduras as an international focus.

 

San Antonio: "Hugs for Kids"
We originally did this project with the Down Syndrome matching a book with a stuffed character from the book. We contacted Christus Children's Hospital and asked if this would help. They loved the idea. Everything had to be new, so we started purchasing books and searching for characters to match to the books. Imagine, as a child, coming to the hospital either emergency room or hospital stay, scared and someone brings a book that the parent or child can read with the matching character to hold. It was so rewarding delivering over 200 packages. 

 

Altrusa Southeast Tarrant County Early Risers (SETCER) launched “Living and Learning Through Literacy,” a literacy project at Providence at Prairie Oaks, a low-income apartment complex in Arlington, Texas. This project was designed to foster a love of reading among children and adults. Led by our Literacy Committee, SETCER created a cozy book nook with rugs, pillows, and books, engaging over 70 children and counting! The project helped successfully bridge literacy and social gaps. With community collaboration and enthusiastic feedback, SETCER demonstrated its commitment to literacy and service, making a meaningful, lasting impact on the lives of local families.