3rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Planned

As a follow-up to two previous highly successful outings, Carroll County Altrusa is planning a third late winter Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, March 23, 2013, 5-7 PM at Runnell's Hall in Chocorua.  The storm date is to be Sunday, March 24 from 5-7 PM.  The dinner will include spaghetti, tomato sauce, meatballs, salad, bread and dessert.  Cost is $7 (adults), $5 (children), $3 (children under 5)

All funds raised will be used to support Altrusa Literacy Projects and the popular "Mail for Me" program which provides educational reading materials to children in needy homes.  President Pat Kehoe notes that "this affordable, late winter evening out has been one of our best attended events.  It supports a good cause and is the perfect antidote to March "cabin fever"."  Come join us!

Christmas Party for Foster Families

On Saturday, Dec. 1st, we partnered with DCYF to host a Christmas Party for the Foster Families in Carroll County.   We had approximately 40 children and adults attend, enjoying cookie decorating, ornament making, face painting and a visit from Santa.  Lorraine summed it up nicely with her email below:
A successful children's Christmas Party is smiles, laughter, cookies, a good book, warm mittens and Santa.  We did it!  Thanks so much to all of you that helped with the party at Runnells Hall as well as those of you that baked cookies (we do have some cookies left for the nursing homes except for the ones I dropped on the ground.)  Thanks Shelly for putting up the tree.  A special thank you to Rachel's granddaughter for assisting us with the party.  See you all on the 10th. 
(Lisa would have been proud!)

Lots of planned events for December

We have many plans in the works for the next few weeks which we are all looking forward to.

• The Festival of Trees - This is an annual fund-raising event for the Meredith Altrusa club and we will be setting up our tree in preparation for the Opening Gala on Thursday, Nov. 29th.  The festival will be open Nov. 30th, 2-8, Dec. 1st 9-5, and Dec. 2nd 11-5.
• DCYF Christmas Party for Foster Families - This annual party will be held at Runnells Hall on Sat. Dec. 1st at 2:00 pm.  We will be providing cookies and fun as well as a Christmas tree with gifts of books for all the children.  Those working on set-up should arrive at 1:00 pm, and those who signed up to bake cookies can check with Lorraine.
• Christmas Party - our Carroll County Altrusa Christmas Party is planned for Monday evening, Dec.10th.  We will be having a White Elephant Yankee Swap (all swap items should be no cost, things you have around the house or basement).  In addition, anyone who desires to make cookies for the nursing homes should bring them to the party.  Cookies will be packed and distributed to the nursing homes the next day, Dec. 11th.

The new face of Volunteerism: District One Workshop

On Saturday, Nov. 2nd our district held a Workshop focusing on new ways to connect with members and volunteers.  Technology was an integral part of the presentations on texting and blogging.  The day ended with a motivational speaker who got us charged up about what we as volunteers can accomplish.  Awesome!  Lunch was delicious and we were all energized by the dynamic group of women here. Altrusans from Bermuda, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and of course New Hampshire connected, shared and left enthused about all that we can accomplish.

Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk raised $3,342

One of the highlights of the fall events was the "Making Strides for Breast Cancer" walk on October 14th in North Conway.  The members of our club came out in force to support this worthy cause.  We had 100% participation with 17 of our members participating in the three mile walk on a cloudy and dismal Saturday morning.  Many of us gathered at the Masonic Lodge Breakfast to benefit Jen's Friends before the walk and which raised $1,600 for Jen's Friends.  We had one member who was on the organizing committee for the walk, planning for months in advance to ensure a safe and enjoyable event.  Another two members assisted with the registration process and we had a total of 29 members who provided a monetary donation.  Our group was able to raise a total of $3,342.00 which far exceeded our donations from previous years.  Our club members are capable of anything they put their minds to!

Fundraiser Fashion Show at Flatbreads

What a great evening it was on October 9th when we held our 2nd annual Fashion Show Fundraiser at Flatbreads restaurant in North Conway.  Flatbreads agreed to donate a percentage of the pizza sales to our service projects.  We put on three fashion shows right in the middle of the restaurant, showing off some of the wonderful clothes for sale at the ReTails Boutique, a store to benefit the Animal Rescue League of NH - North.  The ReTails Boutique for adoptable clothing is located in the lower level of Norcross Place in North Conway.  Our fabulous team of member models showed off casual, dressy, and professional clothing, fortified by the delicious pizzas and salads that Flatbreads offers.  While we were modeling, Sue Norcross sold Pampered Chef items in the lobby, with a percentage of the proceeds to benefit Carroll County Altrusa.  Wow, in one evening of good food and good fun we were able to raise money for Carroll County Altrusa service projects through the sales of Flatbreads pizzas, the sale of Pampered Chef items, and to raise awareness of the ReTails Boutique to help the Animal Rescue League.  Delicious!!

Gibson Center Picnic at White Lake State Park

 

 On a beautiful Wednesday, August 29th, 8 members of Carroll County Altrusa provided help to the Gibson Senior Center annual picnic at White Lake State Park.  Residents of Mineral Springs Nursing Home also attended and our Altrusa members provided help by unloading food, serving, and moving residents in wheelchairs.  After a delicious picnic lunch a few seniors went swimming while others played board games and some enjoyed a sing-along.