Altrusa International of Poplar Bluff is having a meet and greet event from 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday, March 19, in the Altrusa Room at the Twin Towers, 508 Barlett St.
The members want to share information about their organization and the things they do to make the community a better place to live.
Altrusa’s slogan is “leading to a better community” and the local chapter has played an active role in the local community for 67 years.
In a few months and after renovations, the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority will rename the Altrusa Room the Betty Absheer Altrusa Room in honor of one of the organization’s longest serving members. Absheer died Oct. 30, 2021.
Altrusa members are inviting community members to attend the meet and greet to learn why Altrusa International has remained relevant for more than a century.
Current Altrusa President Nila Keller recalls when she was younger reading in the newspaper about Altrusa and saying, “Someday, I am going to join them.”
She admired the members and their work. “It is an honor to be invited to join.”
Currently Keller said, “we have 14 members and are planning a meet and greet event to introduce our club to the community. We will be explaining what Altrusa is and how one can become a member.”
Keller shared, “Altrusa gives members the opportunity to learn to be more professional, help communities, run fundraisers and mentor relationships.”
Club members reflected that women were not invited to join service organizations, so their answer in 1917 was to organize Altrusa.
Altrusa is now open for both men and women.
Since the local non-profit group formed, the members have worked to better the community and have earned international and district recognition for their efforts.
While projects can change from year to year, locally the women have included literacy, developing leadership and community service into their activities, the members said.
In 1973, the local group won the highest honor given by Altrusa International for its work helping organize a nutrition program at the Twin Towers Housing Authority.
The members recall the women who initiated the hard work and service during the first years the club existed.
The club’s first president was the late Gladys Foard, a music teacher in the local school system. Another dedicated member was the late Rose Saracini.
Members recall, “Rose was an Altrusan from head to toe. She lived it and taught the rest of us that was what we should do.”
Saracini was circulation manager for the Daily American Republic newspaper and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Kathy Hadley, who today wears Saracini’s past president’s pin with pride, recalls the local women shared their volunteer spirit when they started the Dexter Club in 1975 and the Sikeston Club in 1979.
In 1980-82, Mildred Lewis was governor of Altrusa District Eight, which covers Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
Absheer received the Marilynn J. Bell Humanitarian Award, which was established to honor the exemplary leadership and contributions.
The district and international meetings provide local members opportunities to see not only their district and the U.S., but the world, they all agree.
Shirley Davenport has been involved in Altrusa for 35-plus years and today serves as president of the local Altrusa Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 tax deductible project, which was established to accept donations.
Members recall projects they have helped with including the historical Rogers Theatre, the historic train depot and funds for the Historic Railroad Grand Staircase restoration.
Previously, they provided funds to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and they still help with the nutrition program at the Twin Towers.
Literacy always has been a major project. Altrusa in the past has sponsored Reading is Fundamental in elementary schools. Members gathered to read and record children’s books for story time to be played on public radio.
The club also supports Santa Land giving books to children and Women Aware, the Little Red Book Shelf at the Butler County Health Center and they are planning a project for the Iron Horse Festival.