Altrusans have fun helping

If you arrive at an Altrusa meeting as a stranger, you will leave as a friend.
Altrusa is an international organization of business executives and professionals who, according to their charter, "volunteer their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community betterment."
But that, really, is just a part of what Altrusa is about.
Until recently, Altrusa was a community of women only, and members of the local chapter, which has 21 members -- all female -- still refer to themselves as "Altrusa Sisters."
This is an apt description. After years of participating in monthly meetings and volunteer projects, they know about each other's weddings, children, careers, likes, dislikes, and -- as you can tell from an Altrusa meeting -- what it takes to make an Altrusan laugh.
"You don't join Altrusa, you 'become' an Altrusan," explained Pat Davis, who retired as executive secretary at Free Methodist Church in New Middletown, and has been in the group since 1979. At least one active member started the year Altrusa was founded, in 1957, and has been active ever since!
Learning from others,offering assistance
Former president Denise Walters Dobson, College of Arts and Sciences counselor at Youngstown State University, defines the group. "We do networking; we see what resources we can provide for each other and for the community. Part of our mission is to learn from each other," she said. That seems likely with members who include working or retired teachers, counselors, a respiratory therapist, jeweler, an office manager, nurses, small business owners and more.
Each of the 405 Altrusan chapters in 19 countries (with their 11,408 members) seeks out needs in their own communities. The Youngstown-area Altrusans have several projects. At the end of each year, they will have contributed between $3,000 and $10,000 to local charities and schools.
"We buy books for Fellows Riverside Garden's library," Dobson said. "We also provide small scholarships for children who sign up for their summer gardening program." They also sponsor a Mitten Tree at Club South every Christmas, gathering gifts for children in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.
In addition, they provide savings bonds to be used as prizes at the annual YSU English Festival; literacy is a high priority of the group. The Youngstown Altrusans give $100 each year to each of two YSU scholarships. With their "Adopt a School" program, they have attempted to lessen the out-of-pocket expenses of a few teachers by buying specially requested items.
"All the money stays in the community," said Dobson.
Raising fundsto make it happen
This is just half of the charitable equation, though; the Altrusans must raise funds to make it happen. They have sold raffle tickets to win a three-minute grocery shopping spree (one member is a manager at the Doral Drive Giant Eagle). The store provides a substantial discount, and the Altrusans then pay for the groceries.
They also have an annual wine tasting in January; this year it's scheduled to be held at TJ's Restaurant in Boardman. A holiday gift bag auction asks participants to bid on mystery bags with names for clues (like the "Every cloud has a silver lining bag," which turned out to contain items made of silver). "That's a big guest night," Davis said.
Every third Thursday, the ladies meet in various locations around town. They come when they can, are active in the additional get-togethers for their projects when they can.
"The first year I was an Altrusan, my mother became ill," Davis said. "I didn't even come for almost a year." Sally Cunningham is a snowbird, fleeing Youngstown's winters for Florida. "Even though I spend a lot of months away, I can still participate," she said.
The laughter at a recent Altrusan gathering speaks volumes, as did one sister during introductions: "I love people and the people here are wonderful -- the fellowship." Coupled with another member's comment -- "There are a lot of needs out there"-- you have a pretty good idea what Altrusa is all about.
For membership information, call president Patty Zitello at (330) 720-0327.
murphy@vindy.com