Christmas Party for Foster Families

On December 10th Altrusa of Carroll County collaborated with DCYF to host a Christmas Party for the foster families in Carroll County.  With approximately 65 guests, the gym at the Madison Elementary School was humming.  The children had opportunities to decorate cookies, build with Legos, create art work, have faces painted and nails decorated.  To add to the festivities there was plenty of hot chocolate and treats to eat.  But the best part was when Santa arrived!  Altrusa provided every child with a new book and a beanie baby toy to bring home.

Club members who helped to host the party.

The cookie decorating table.

A Gathering of Elves

For a third year Altrusa of Carroll County assisted The Believe in Books Foundation in their efforts to raise funds to support literacy initiatives.  The Journey to the North Pole is a major fundraiser for this organization and we had a group of  9 members and friends act as Elves greeting children and families riding the train to the North Pole.  What a fun way to support literacy and join in the Magic of Christmas!

Fall Workshop

On November 5th the Altrusa Club of Greater Hartford hosted the 2016 District One Workshop.  Held at Dave & Busters, 66 Altrusans attended the workshop which focused on Inclusion & Embracing Change.  Some of the points emphasized by the speakers were:

• Work to make all, especially guests and millennials, feel included
• Use mentors
• Communicate about all events
• Have regular orientations
• Combine committee meetings

As with all Altrusa events, the consideration, caring and enthusiasm of the members energized all of us.

Lisa, Kathy S. and Kathy M. enjoying the Hartford Workshop.

Former Governors Susannah Leslie of Plymouth and Mary Faries of Bermuda enjoying an ice cream sundae.

Flatbread Company Fundraiser

Many thanks to all those who brought friends and family to our Flatbread's Fundraiser last night.  There was lots of laughter as many delicious pizzas were sold and consumed as we raised money for our literacy projects.  Thanks to Nancy, our raffle ticket seller extraordinaire, we raised an additional $214 in raffle sales and donations.  And thank you, Gayle, for donating your winnings to our Club!

Helping Hands for Halloween Town

It was a dark and stormy night..........but a group of us braved the elements and served drinks at the Halloween Town event at King Pine in Madison.  Many happy families came as well and toured the "haunted" cabins, played games and enjoyed the rides provided, all for donations to help The Laura Foundation for Autism and Epilepsy.  We were happy to help this worthwhile organization, and had fun dressing up in costume!

Hildi Halloween, Little Red Riding Hood, Minion, Cat in the Hat, Bird Watcher, Diane the Glamorous 

Diane the Glamorous!

Best Books for the Holidays, presented by Laura Cummings

At our Monday night meeting, our group enjoyed a presentation of "Best Books for the Holidays and Beyond" by Laura Cummings of White Birch Books in North Conway, giving us lots of great ideas for new books for ourselves and others.  After Laura's presentation we had a stampede to the table covered with new galley copies of some of the new books brought to share.  Thank you Laura!

Laura Cummings of White Birch Books and Kathy Somerville

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

We did it!  We put together a great team and raised money for American Cancer Society research at the annual Making Strides event in North Conway. There were a total of 32 teams participating and so far there is a grand total of $75,768 donated.  Pat Kehoe organized our group and we had 9 members walking, others at the registration table, and more donating - raising a total of $1,530 by the event and more donations are still coming.  Thank you to all who participated in this heart-felt event!

Altrusa of Carroll County Team

Registration crew