Altrusa Gives to Toy Drive
Altrusa members collected toys to be delivered to the children of Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in late July 2022.
The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, also called Pine Ridge Agency, is an Oglala Lakota Indian reservation. It is home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe with an estimated population of close to 40,000.
We were so excited to be a part of this toy drive for these deserving children!
We had a great meeting tonight with a very special guest and local celebrity Larry Frates! We talked about an upcoming collaboration to showcase his magic, music, storytelling and caricatures . More information to come as we plan this amazing event with Larry! So exciting🤩
TODAY IS NATIONAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY!
Make A Difference Day places an emphasis on volunteerism and community service. Altrusa of Laconia donated personal items to Isaiah 61 Café located on 100 New Salem Street in Laconia, NH. It is a nonprofit organization providing access to bathroom facilities, showers, lockers, washer and dryers and breakfast and lunch daily. GIVE—SHARE—BE KIND 🙌 🤝🌟💛 #MakeaDifferenceDay Altrusa District One
TASTE OF THE LAKES REGION COUPON BOOKS
Altrusa Gives to Got Literacy Laconia
Altrusa International of Laconia has given $300.00. to support GOT LITERACY
this summer. GOT LITERACY LACONIA is part of the GOT LUNCH program.
While supporting them each year since inception, this year was difficult without
our annual fundraiser TASTE OF THE LAKES REGION. However, members of the
club felt this was important to the mission of Altrusa. Numeracy (a part of literacy)
will be included this year also. The young people of Laconia benefit greatly from
the work of GOT LITERACY and we are proud to support their efforts.
Caring Cards for Belknap County Nursing Home
Each month birthday cards are dropped off to Belknap County Nursing Home. While we cannot host monthly birthdays parties for a while, we hope this keeps us in the minds of residents.
Recently, we also created Caring Cards for all residents of the Nursing Home. This was done in the Fall with fall themed pictures on the cards. Then again after the New Year, we brought cards with a Happy New Year message, encouraging the residents to stay positive and safe.
Memory Books
Our new project on board is Memory Books for the Belknap County Nursing Home residents.
Anita, a former Altrusan, was the first to receive her book. We are interviewing the resident, gathering pictures, life events & family input to design a book made especially for them.
This week the 2nd is in the works, it’s a project that is truly a labor of love when you see the interest they have in this project made about their life
Poppy’s for Veterans
Poppy pin making for the Belmont American Legion Post 58 to assist with their donation booth on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. All donations received will be used for American Legion programs that support veterans, military communities and their families.
Scholarships Awarded
A big thankyou to Calise House, owner of the Happy Cow ice cream who graciously for the second year in a row has supported Altrusa of Laconia’s scholarship fund . We thought it was appropriate to invite recipients and their families to join the event and present them with their awards.
Pictured seating in front row: Recipients: Callie McGreevy(Rose Emery Scholarship) Jennifer DeCouf (Dr. Alice Normandin Scholarship).
Row: Family & Altrusa members..
Pumpkinfest 2019!
Altrusa of Laconia participated in the annual Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, October 19th in downtown Laconia. It was a beautiful autumn day!
Some of the member served food & drinks for Hector’s Restaurant in their outside tent throughout the festival. Money received from the proprietor was donated to our scholarship fund.
At the Belknap Mill Community Fest which coincided with the Pumpkin Fest our members prepared & set up an Altrusa display with pumpkin and acorn mazes available for passerbys.
Happy Cow Ice Cream Helps Out!
On National Ice Cream Day, Sunday July 15th, the Happy Cow Ice Cream Shop generously agreed to share a portion of their profits with Altrusa International of Laconia to assist in funding our scholarship program.
Each year, Laconia Altrusans meet to pick deserving candidates in four categories: Healthcare, Business, Education, and Athletic.
Altrusa of Laconia was very excited to spend National Ice Cream Day serving the community the Happy Cow’s great ice cream.
The day ended with a $500 donation! Thank you so much to Calise Houle and the entire crew at Happy Cow Ice Cream!
ADRIENNE STEVENS MEMORIAL BENCH
We recently installed a granite bench at Winnipesaukee Playhouse in memory of Adrienne Stevens who served many years as an Altrusan most recently served as President of our club. Adrienne loved the theatre and attended all performances..we thought it only appropriate to place the bench for all to enjoy to remember her.
Altrusa International of Laconia creates “Book Nook”for Belknap House
Altrusa sponsors Little Free Library at Vista Foods
Altrusa International of Laconia has joined the growing number of organizations sponsoring the LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES trend. The library which promotes “take a book, return a book” is for all ages. LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES are located throughout the world and travelers can go onto the website: littlefreelibrary.org to find their locations. Altrusa wanted to set up a LITTLE FREE LIBRARY and thought the south area of Laconia would be a good location. Bob Fitzpatrick, Manager of VISTA Foods, was contacted and he was happy to help. The Altrusa Club had the bookcase built and stocked it with books for all ages. On Saturday, October 28th, it was placed in the vestibule of VISTA Foods on South Main Street where it will be protected from bad weather. Now residents will be able to purchase their groceries and pick up a book to read! The Altrusa Club of Laconia is a group of individuals who volunteer their time and efforts to improve their community. Part of Altrusa International, Inc., which recently celebrated 100 years of community service, the Laconia Club is part of District I, which includes clubs in Maine, NH, VT, Mass, CT, Quebec and Bermuda. The Laconia Club has been in existence since 1945. Their major fundraiser, “Taste of the Lakes” is held each spring; all proceeds from the event go to projects that make a difference in the community. |
New Beginnings Clothing Drive
Altrusa International of Laconia recently delivered clothing for women & children, personal toiletry items, household necessities and backpacks filled with school needs to New Beginnings, which provides free and confidential support, emergency shelter, 1 to 1 peer support as well as educational & outreach programs, advocacy & crisis intervention for those whose lives have been affected by Domestic & Sexual Violence.
For more information on New Beginnings, please visit their website at: http://www.newbeginningsnh.org/
Hands Across the Table
Altrusa International of Laconia recently participated in serving the free weekly community dinner sponsored by Hands Across the Table, held every Wednesday at St. Andre Bissette Parish Hall. Dinner served was Tossed salad, Italian bread, Meat Lasagna and green beans and Apple Crisp with ice cream with coffee and teas for dessert.
Altrusa members volunteered for set up, serving which allows them to spend time with area residents to enjoy a nice meal & opportunity to socialize within community. We served dinner to over 100 guests at the weekly dinner on Wednesday Oct. 19th!
Pictured left to right: Deanne Murphy, Nancy LeRoy, Jan Gilbert, Debbie Cotton, Barbara DeAngelis & Barbara Laros.
Altruse of Laconia Gives Back
Altrusa International of Laconia recently delivered checks to community organizations. Recipients included Laconia Got Literacy, Laconia Adult Education, Child and Family Services and the Belknap County Nursing Home Activities Department. Pictured above Director Brenda Twardosky accepts a check from Laconia Altrusan Barbara DeAngelis.
Altrusa of Laconia “Make a Difference Day” project delivered 26 pumpkins on Thursday for the children at the Carey House, New Beginnings & Salvation Army.
The pumpkins were carved by the children to be displayed at Pumpkinfest.
Altrusa Club of Laconia Member Honored
HOPE IS A 1946 GRADUATE OF UNH. SHE RECEIVED THE GRANITE STATE AWARD WHICH IS GIVEN TO INDIVIDUALS, AGENCIES, CORPORATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS WHOSE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE MADE EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. HOPE WAS CHOSEN FOR THE AWARD “DUE TO HER DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF SERVICE.” HOPE HAS NOT ONLY GIVEN BACK TO THE LACONIA COMMUNITY WITH HER WORK IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WHERE HER FAMILY OWNS AND OPERATES THE NASWA RESORT; BUT SHE HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN THE ALTRUSA CLUB OF LACONIA NH FOR YEARS AND STILL ATTENDS MEETINGS TODAY.
THIS MAKES THE SECOND TIME IN RECENT YEARS THAT HOPE HAS BEEN HONORED BY UNH. IN 2011 SHE RECEIVED A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR FAMILY BUSINESSES.
THE ALTRUSA CLUB OF LACONIA NH IS PROUD AND PLEASED TO HAVE HOPE AS A MEMBER.
‘Bear Wants More’ Story Trail Unveiled!
BEAR WANTS MORE is a children’s story now appearing as a Story Trail along the WOW Trail between Messer Street and Lakeport. The story was unveiled on Saturday May 16, in conjunction with the Gale to Goss Annual Library Community Walk. This project for the community was created by Altrusa International of Laconia as a literacy venture to encourage people of all ages to get out and walk while enjoying wonderful children’s books.