Altrusa fundraising event Saturday

Altrusa International Club of Poplar Bluff is growing and so are the ideas to enlarge and finance its expanding list of programs.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, Altrusa will have a fundraiser yard sale at 1509 Haven Hills Road to help underwrite projects.

Nancy Boyer said all the proceeds from this new fundraiser will go to Altrusa.

While the variety and number of items are too numerous to inventory, Boyer explained the list will include household items, rockers and miscellaneous things.

If remodeling is in your future, all types of construction supplies, including doors and light fixtures, will be available.

A collection of 50 dolls more than two decades old will also be available.

The service committee has been busy planning upcoming service projects including International Literacy Day, which will celebrate by hosting the Author Showcase. Other service projects include Adopt A Little Free Library to restock five Little Free Libraries around town; Santaland, where books will be given to children; Alzheimer’s Walk 2022, where Altrusans will distribute flowers from the Promise Garden; and Make a Difference Day, where the group will make and distribute fleece blankets for FosterAdopt Connect.

Other fundraising ideas being explored are a murder mystery party to take place around the Halloween holiday, a vacation gift certificate raffle, a charcuterie party and concert that may take place around the Mother’s Day holiday, as well as a chocolate walk, with a unique give away as a door prize.

Corretta Bishop, service committee chairman, recommended continuing service projects such as story time on the radio; Little Red Bookshelf; and participation in Santa Land. Additional proposals are being investigated, such as Adopt a Little Library; partnering with the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library for Santa Land; and Days for Girls project, in which the members collect feminine hygiene products for young ladies in third world countries.

Altrusa Club of Poplar Bluff has been recognized in its district for its growth and contributions over the past year.

The local club had more than 80% growth in new members last year, was one of eight to be recognized as a distinguished club in the Altrusa International District Eight for 2021-2022. The district has 23 clubs.

Bishop said, “we’ve lost several members. Betty Absheer was one of our trailblazing members.”

Absheer was 85 when she died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, after a short illness.

The first woman mayor of Poplar Bluff, Absheer, held the record for most years as a council member and as mayor. She was appointed as the Ward 3 council member in September 1989 and elected to the remaining two years of that term in April 1990 — the first of nine successful elections.

Bishop said, “we do have some funds, but we need to get more funds raised so that we can do more things in the community, help other places and people who are in need, and especially when it comes to our literacy projects.”