Showing posts with label Environmental. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environmental. Show all posts
Adopt-a-Highway -- Altrusa and Community Options clean it up!
3rd Graders enjoy Recycling Field Trips
Altrusa members were treated to a stack of thank you notes from area 3rd Grade students who recently went on field trips to learn about recycling. Our club helped fund the transporation to make these trips to the landfill, Recla Metals, the Recycling Center, and the Community Garden.
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Cleaning up
Sixteen Altrusans and family members walked along our club's 2 mile stretch of US 550 on Saturday morning (or shuttled people about and supplied cold drinks and extra trash bags), collecting 36 large bags of debris as part of our volunteer work through CDOT 's Adopt-a-Highway program. Volunteers enjoyed free samples from Ray's Good Stuff after the work was done, courtesy of Ray himself who always offers refreshments to our Altrusa team after we clean up the portion of highway that includes his business.
(left) Charlie Winger collects handfuls of trash along with Sheryl Solow and Cheryl Gibson
(right) Frank & Lita Sargent are ready to set out to clean up the highway
Powerful Earth Day Celebration
In celebration of Earth Day, our Environmental Committee hosted a potluck luncheon. It was a “zero waste” event—utilizing reusable plates and silverware for the scrumptious food and glasses for the beverages. There was an amazing array of food that was shared by our Members. Environmental Committee Members modeled fashions that were “recycled” - purchased from local second hand stores or donated by friends.
There was a presentation by Lesley Hallenborg, the recycling/environmental education field trip coordinator for the 3rd Grade Classes in Montrose. Our Altrusa Club has provided funding to enable this program to continue in the schools.
A highlight of the luncheon was the reading of a poem written in about 1985 in a self-published book of poetry by a nearly-95-year-old Hazel P. Spaven. Hazel is the mother of Montrose Altrusan Ginny Spaven (see photo). It was a moving and powerful tribute to all that we need to do to save our planet—no matter your age!
Here is the poem for your contemplation for Earth Day!
SECOND THOUGHTS
by Hazel P. Spaven
We thought our air could clean itself
with normal wind and rain,
but smog pollutes our atmosphere,
a noxious yellow stain.
We thought earth could regenerate
our trash dumped on its floor,
but landfills choke on our excess
while we are making more.
We thought our oceans could absorb
the waste we chose to hide,
but seas regurgitate our filth
with the ebbing tide.
We thought that we could populate
the world as we saw fit,
but now we find our habitat
was never infinite.
We thought resources of our land
were ours to use or spend,
but stockpiles of a million years
are coming to an end.
We thought our Day of Reckoning
was very far away,
but it could be tomorrow
or was it yesterday?
There was a presentation by Lesley Hallenborg, the recycling/environmental education field trip coordinator for the 3rd Grade Classes in Montrose. Our Altrusa Club has provided funding to enable this program to continue in the schools.
A highlight of the luncheon was the reading of a poem written in about 1985 in a self-published book of poetry by a nearly-95-year-old Hazel P. Spaven. Hazel is the mother of Montrose Altrusan Ginny Spaven (see photo). It was a moving and powerful tribute to all that we need to do to save our planet—no matter your age!
Here is the poem for your contemplation for Earth Day!
SECOND THOUGHTS
by Hazel P. Spaven
We thought our air could clean itself
with normal wind and rain,
but smog pollutes our atmosphere,
a noxious yellow stain.
We thought earth could regenerate
our trash dumped on its floor,
but landfills choke on our excess
while we are making more.
We thought our oceans could absorb
the waste we chose to hide,
but seas regurgitate our filth
with the ebbing tide.
We thought that we could populate
the world as we saw fit,
but now we find our habitat
was never infinite.
We thought resources of our land
were ours to use or spend,
but stockpiles of a million years
are coming to an end.
We thought our Day of Reckoning
was very far away,
but it could be tomorrow
or was it yesterday?
Recycling Grant Opportunity for Local Nonprofits
Application deadline is April 18, 2010.
Altrusa Literacy & Litter League Book Giveaway & Recycling Event
Kickoff: Altrusa and ASTRA volunteers met at Anita Johansen’s home on Hwy 90 and did more than just collect trash for the landfill on stretches of Hwy 90, 6100 Road, Oak Grove Road, and Dave Wood Road. They sorted through roadside trash to collect recyclable plastic and glass containers and metal cans in orange bags and non-recyclable trash into grey bags. The following week, Waste Management picked up all the bags, taking the orange bags to their recycling center and the grey bags to the landfill.
The next step for this event: On a date to be scheduled, all available ASTRA members, Altrusans, and representatives from the Montrose school district, Montrose Library, and MHS 350 club (who did their own cleanup of Cerise Park on Make a Difference Day/Int'l Day of Climate Action) will be presented with sets of 3 books about global warming, carbon footprint, and green living from the Literacy and Environmental committees. The books will go to all District middle school and high school libraries and to the Montrose Regional Library. At least one WM representative will also join this presentation for a newspaper photo and article.
Kids on Wheels contest winners announced
Altrusa's Environmental committee held a month-long Kids on Wheels contest that challenged students from both Columbine Middle School and Centennial Middle School to ride their bikes to school to help the environment and create better health. The contest ran from September 21 through October 17.
The bikes were presented to students on October 17th 2009.
(right) Altrusan Cheryl Gibson presents Andrew Cretti, the winner from Centennial Middle School, a new Haro Mountain Bike donated by Altrusa and Jeans Westerner.
Kids on Wheels off to a fun & safe start
Altrusa's 1st Annual Kids on Wheels event started off with a bike safety rodeo, licensing of bicycles, bike tune-ups, and free goodies for all the kids who attended.
Altrusa of Montrose is thankful for all the support for this event that came from our community! Jeans Westerner sponsored this event by letting us hold it on their property, and donating to our give away bags. We had bike maintenance technicians from Sports Authority and Jeans Westerner (Edward Barnett and Shane Singer). Officers from the Montrose Police Department (Chris Hoeh and Giovanni Mendoza) volunteered to conduct the bike safety rodeo, and sent one of their office personal (Jolene Blowers) to license the bikes. We had volunteers from Altrusa and Kiwanis to help set up and run the program. Donations for the giveaway bags came from Jeans Westerner, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, McDonalds, and Kiwanis. Our flyers and labels were designed and printed by Altrusa members Anita Johansen and Christy Biella, and other Altrusans helped out during the event, including Janis Marcha, Cindy Donohue, Susan Bony, Marge Keehfus, Cheryl Gibson, Diane Winger, and Kylee Smith.
During the next several weeks, students at Columbine and Centennial Middle Schools will be able to participate in a Ride-a-Bike-to-School Challenge sponsored by Altrusa.
Altrusa’s 1st Annual Kids On Wheels event announced
Kids on Wheels Bike Rally
On September 19, a Kids on Wheels Bike Rally will be held at Jeans Westerner. Kids and teens are invited to bring their bike to the event between 10 AM and 1 PM
• Register your bike with the City of Montrose Police Dept. (Altrusa will donate $1 fee for the first 100 participants).
• Bike maintenance clinics at 10, 11 and Noon. Work with experts from Jeans Westerner and The Sports Authority to service your bike.
• Bike safety clinics every half hour: Learn the rules of the road from Kiwanis experts.
• Free gift bag for completing maintenance & safety clinics donated by Altrusa, Kiwanis, and
Jeans Westerner (while supplies last).
Ride-a-Bike-to-School Challenge
Following the Bike Rally, a Challenge for Centennial and Columbine Middle Schools will run from September 21 through October 16. During this challenge period, every day that students ride a bike to school, their name will be entered in weekly drawings to win great prizes. Each Friday, a drawing will be held; one girl and one boy from each school will win a $25 gift card from The Sports Authority. On October 16, one bike challenger from each school will win a bike donated by Altrusa or Jeans Westerner!
View or Download the Bike Event Flyer (956 Kb PDF)
Flowers by Altrusa
For the past 2 years, Altrusa members have planted bulbs and flowers in Montrose's Cerise Park. Last fall Altrusans planted daffodils, iris, and hyacinths, focusing on areas that would be receiving water naturally. Plants were placed near the river's edge, along the creek that runs through the park, and by the edge of the pond.
This spring, Club members returned to plant perennials, chosing plants that would work well in our climate, including Shasta daisies, California poppies, and calendulas. The Environmental Committee also purchased a bronze sign reading "Flowers by Altrusa" which was installed on a boulder in the park by the Montrose City Parks Manager. The boulder can be seen by walking along the main sidewalk from the Cerise Park parking lot and veering off the first dirt path you come upon.
Altrusans plan to plant additional bulbs this fall and add more perennials in the spring.
This spring, Club members returned to plant perennials, chosing plants that would work well in our climate, including Shasta daisies, California poppies, and calendulas. The Environmental Committee also purchased a bronze sign reading "Flowers by Altrusa" which was installed on a boulder in the park by the Montrose City Parks Manager. The boulder can be seen by walking along the main sidewalk from the Cerise Park parking lot and veering off the first dirt path you come upon.
Altrusans plan to plant additional bulbs this fall and add more perennials in the spring.
Altrusa & ASTRA Clean Up
Roberta Hoey, Bonnie Eakin, Janis Marcha, Kaye Hotsenpiller, Natalie Frush, Kylee Smith, Lorie Bollig, Judy Snedeker, Lori Michaels, Diane Winger, and Meriyah Martinez (ASTRA) enjoy some jerky treats after the clean-up. Not pictured: Karleigh Schrick (ASTRA) and Charlie Winger.
It's that time of year again: time to clean up our 2-mile stretch of US 550. Ten Altrusans, one Altrusa spouse, and two ASTRA club members joined forces to pick up bottles, cans, tire tread, a huge number of cigarette butts (224 were picked up by just one person), cooler lids, buckets, cardboard boxes, construction materials, and other assorted trash and junk along the highway. We filled 28 large trash bags -- and that doesn't count the items which were too large to fit into a bag.
We were treated by Ray (of "Ray's Good Stuff") with several packages of delicious jerky from his store when our work was done. Lemonade and cookies rounded out our post-cleanup fare.
Committees report on their activities
At our December 9 meeting, Altrusans were treated to an impressive series of reports from several of our committees on their accomplishments so far, and plans for the rest of our fiscal year.
Jeannie Kuchynka (Members Issues) reported that 27 Altrusans participated as volunteers for the Bosom Buddies Walk/Run fundraiser. The committee has provided school supplies to local students, scholarships to help children participate in extra-curricular activities, and 4 DVD players (plus a DVD library) to the San Juan Cancer Center for patients to use while undergoing lengthy chemotherapy.
Lita Sargent (Spring Luncheon '09) seems ready to issue a challenge with our 2nd biggest fundraiser, declaring that the committee has a goal of raising $13,500 this year -- nipping at the heels of our #1 fundraiser, the Holiday Festival. This year's theme: "Celebrate." The committee has several ideas for ways to enhance the function, including getting table sponsors, handing out "goody bags" with items from sponsors, and offering more auction items.
Cheryl Gibson (Environmental) outlined a very impressive list of projects that committee is undertaking. Adopt-a-Highway may be enhanced with recycling efforts, more "Flowers by Altrusa" will be planted at Cerise Park, and they'll be putting on an Earth Day luncheon and "green" fashion show (zero waste, of course!). They are also expanding the composting school lunch program at Passage Charter school to Northside (which serves about 10 times as many lunches). The Environmental committee also plants to continue volunteer work at the annual e-Waste event (electronics recycling), and begin some new ongoing projects such as a bike riding challenge (promoting bicycle usage at Columbine and Centennial), and Wild Bird Education and Protection brochures. Wow!
Susan Woody (Literacy) reported that we won't need to sew additional Buddy Bags this year, but will continue to fill them with items for children. Season's Readings book collections are going well, and the committee is buying Spanish and bilingual books to add to the items to be handed out by Health & Human Services. For Make a Difference Day, the committee donated books and gift bags for students to receive from teachers as rewards to Passage Charter school.
All of us at Altrusa congratulate these committees for their impressive work. Thanks to everyone involved!
Of course, if we tried to hold a single meeting to hear reports on projects from all our committees, we'd need to schedule an entire day!
Jeannie Kuchynka (Members Issues) reported that 27 Altrusans participated as volunteers for the Bosom Buddies Walk/Run fundraiser. The committee has provided school supplies to local students, scholarships to help children participate in extra-curricular activities, and 4 DVD players (plus a DVD library) to the San Juan Cancer Center for patients to use while undergoing lengthy chemotherapy.
Lita Sargent (Spring Luncheon '09) seems ready to issue a challenge with our 2nd biggest fundraiser, declaring that the committee has a goal of raising $13,500 this year -- nipping at the heels of our #1 fundraiser, the Holiday Festival. This year's theme: "Celebrate." The committee has several ideas for ways to enhance the function, including getting table sponsors, handing out "goody bags" with items from sponsors, and offering more auction items.
Cheryl Gibson (Environmental) outlined a very impressive list of projects that committee is undertaking. Adopt-a-Highway may be enhanced with recycling efforts, more "Flowers by Altrusa" will be planted at Cerise Park, and they'll be putting on an Earth Day luncheon and "green" fashion show (zero waste, of course!). They are also expanding the composting school lunch program at Passage Charter school to Northside (which serves about 10 times as many lunches). The Environmental committee also plants to continue volunteer work at the annual e-Waste event (electronics recycling), and begin some new ongoing projects such as a bike riding challenge (promoting bicycle usage at Columbine and Centennial), and Wild Bird Education and Protection brochures. Wow!
Susan Woody (Literacy) reported that we won't need to sew additional Buddy Bags this year, but will continue to fill them with items for children. Season's Readings book collections are going well, and the committee is buying Spanish and bilingual books to add to the items to be handed out by Health & Human Services. For Make a Difference Day, the committee donated books and gift bags for students to receive from teachers as rewards to Passage Charter school.
All of us at Altrusa congratulate these committees for their impressive work. Thanks to everyone involved!
Of course, if we tried to hold a single meeting to hear reports on projects from all our committees, we'd need to schedule an entire day!
The history of Altrusa Park
In August 1981, club members began a long-term project to create a fitness trail with stops describing what exercises to do. The trail was set up in what was then called "Hillcrest Park" with the help of the City. We solicited input from doctors on the types of exercises, and members worked on constructing stations for the trail and setting them up. According to an article in the Daily Press, the trail was 1 1/2 miles long with 20 stations.
The grand opening was September 11, 1982. In 1985, a committee petitioned the City to rename the park as "Altrusa Park". A sign with the new name was erected, and Altrusa funded additional landscaping.
The exercise stations were removed in 1991 due to deterioration and liability issues. Altrusa of Montrose has continued to provide trees, benches, and playground equipment, plus plaques with names of plants and trees. Altrusans have also put in hundreds of volunteer hours grooming the flowerbeds in Altrusa Park.
The grand opening was September 11, 1982. In 1985, a committee petitioned the City to rename the park as "Altrusa Park". A sign with the new name was erected, and Altrusa funded additional landscaping.
The exercise stations were removed in 1991 due to deterioration and liability issues. Altrusa of Montrose has continued to provide trees, benches, and playground equipment, plus plaques with names of plants and trees. Altrusans have also put in hundreds of volunteer hours grooming the flowerbeds in Altrusa Park.
Altrusa Cleans Up...
Lorie Bollig, Bonnie Eakin, Debbie Tucker, Sheryl Solow, Natalie Frush, Diane Winger, Jeanne Kuchynka, and Roberta Hoey pose in their safety vests. Not pictured: Anita Johansen, Charlie Winger, Cheryl Gibson
...our "Adopted" portion of highway, that is. On a warm and breezy Saturday morning, a group of Altrusans (plus one dedicated spouse) donned the infamous safety vests and picked up car parts, plastic, cans, glass, cardboard, cigarette butts, construction materials, and even a little spare change (12¢) along the highway.We ended the morning with lemonade, cookies, and free beef Jerky. Ray himself (of "Ray's Good Stuff" -- the Jerky business we all parked near to start our clean-up efforts) came out to thank our crew and give us some delicious treats.
Altrusa cleans up a 2-mile stretch of US Hwy 550 twice a year as part of Colorado Department of Transporation's Adopt-a-Highway program.
District Ten Awards earned by Montrose Club
Nine members of Altrusa of Montrose attended the annual District Ten Conference in Clovis, NM this past week, and a great time was had by all. We found the workshops and presentations very informative, renewed friendships and made new ones with Altrusans from other Clubs in our District, and had fun as well.At the Awards luncheon, our Montrose Club was honored with several awards:
- Distinguished Club Award (2007/2008) -- for the 15th consecutive year!
- Communications: Web Site -- 1st Place (altrusa.blogspot.com)
- Nancy Taylor Environmental award -- Honorable Mention (Garden & Composting project at Passage Charter School)
- District Membership: Most New Members -- 1st Place (7 new members)
- Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun Award (International Projects) -- 1st Place (Pennies for Peace, Nepal clothing project, and Mexico Water Filter project)
Our entire Montrose Club is very proud of what we've been able to accomplish for our own community as well as communities in other parts of the world.
Altrusa celebrates Earth Day
Members of our Environmental Committee offered their thoughts and ideas about Earth Day and the importance of finding ways to take better care of "Mother Earth". A basket of environmental tips was passed around, two moving essays were read, and each member described her special costume and its significance for helping our environment.
The presentation was capped off by an enthusiastic rendition of the song "Dirt Made My Lunch" which celebrates "dirt" for being the source of the foods we grow. Carol Parker accompanied the "Not Ready for Prime Time Environmental Committee Singers" on guitar. Earlier this year, Carol taught this song to students at Passage Charter school as part of the programs related to what they were learning about composting and recycling.
2008 e-Waste Event
In January 2007, the Environmental Committee of Altrusa of Montrose sponsored an electronics recycling event that exceeded all expectations for participation by our community. In 2008, with Altrusa volunteers assisting the City of Montrose with a repeat e-Waste event, the results were even greater.
More than 300 vehicles waited in lines to drop off unneeded computers, monitors, TVs, calculators, cell phones, printers, and other electronics. With the City subsidizing some of the expenses, Montrose participants paid only about half the usual cost of this specialized type of recycling. Collected items are processed by Lifespan Technology Recycling of Grand Junction, which breaks down the equipment into its various materials, such as metals, glass, plastics, etc., and recycles or safely disposes of it all.
Early estimates indicate that close to 20 tons of equipment was collected during Saturday's event.
More than 300 vehicles waited in lines to drop off unneeded computers, monitors, TVs, calculators, cell phones, printers, and other electronics. With the City subsidizing some of the expenses, Montrose participants paid only about half the usual cost of this specialized type of recycling. Collected items are processed by Lifespan Technology Recycling of Grand Junction, which breaks down the equipment into its various materials, such as metals, glass, plastics, etc., and recycles or safely disposes of it all.
Early estimates indicate that close to 20 tons of equipment was collected during Saturday's event.
Passage Charter School reports on Composting
Student Janie Palacios describes a graph of temperatures within the composting bin while teacher Katy Gibson holds it up for view. Students Dezarey Holtry and Maira Serrano also gave presentations.
Earlier this year, the Environmental Committee provided a large composting bin and helped create a garden in a newly-landscaped area on the grounds of Passage Charter School. Today, 3 students and their science teacher, Katy Gibson, visited our Altrusa meeting to tell us about what they've learned about the science of composting (complete with graphs!), and to thank Altrusa for our contributions to their school.
Developed by the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, the school serves the needs of students who are pregnant or parenting teens with core academics, job preparation, and parenting skills. The school uses Personalized Learning Plans and flexible scheduling. A child care center is located on site.
The students reported that they created 14 bushels of compost before the weather turned cold. The compost bin was filled with lunch scraps (no animal products), hair clippings, newspapers, etc. They learned that it was important to shred newspapers and cut up foods such as apples before adding them to the bin. The students also learned about controlling the temperature of the bin to speed the composting process as well as to control odors.
They presented our club with a special Thank You card and report, decorated on its cover with genuine, fresh compost!
Earlier this year, the Environmental Committee provided a large composting bin and helped create a garden in a newly-landscaped area on the grounds of Passage Charter School. Today, 3 students and their science teacher, Katy Gibson, visited our Altrusa meeting to tell us about what they've learned about the science of composting (complete with graphs!), and to thank Altrusa for our contributions to their school.Developed by the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, the school serves the needs of students who are pregnant or parenting teens with core academics, job preparation, and parenting skills. The school uses Personalized Learning Plans and flexible scheduling. A child care center is located on site.
The students reported that they created 14 bushels of compost before the weather turned cold. The compost bin was filled with lunch scraps (no animal products), hair clippings, newspapers, etc. They learned that it was important to shred newspapers and cut up foods such as apples before adding them to the bin. The students also learned about controlling the temperature of the bin to speed the composting process as well as to control odors.They presented our club with a special Thank You card and report, decorated on its cover with genuine, fresh compost!
Altrusa Members Plant Bulbs at Cerise Park
Volunteers from Altrusa of Montrose headed to areas of Cerise Park on Friday morning, November 2, to plant several hundred daffodil and wild iris bulbs near pathways, waterways, and a pond. The club's Environmental Committee hope their efforts will add a splash of color next spring when the new park is dedicated.
Altrusa/ASTRA Volunteers Clean Up
ASTRA members Tessa Sullivan, Mary Katherine Hooley, and Meagan Lynch (ASTRA President) help clean up US Highway 550A group of 21 members and friends of Altrusa and its youth affiliate, ASTRA, picked up an assortment of cans, bottles, hubcaps, cardboard, auto parts, and even a stray one dollar bill along US 550 between Montrose and Colona on Saturday, October 6.
We cleaned up from Mile Marker 121 to 123, and even a bit beyond! The volunteers met in front of the Jerky store, donned fashionable orange vests, and set out with huge orange garbage bags. We filled a total of 42 large bags with roadside trash.
We cleaned up from Mile Marker 121 to 123, and even a bit beyond! The volunteers met in front of the Jerky store, donned fashionable orange vests, and set out with huge orange garbage bags. We filled a total of 42 large bags with roadside trash.
Watch for a repeat of this event next Spring. We hope you'll join us!
Susan Woody was the pleased winner of the drawing for a grabber tool for picking up trash.
Diane Winger demonstrates that picking up trash can be fun.
Thanks to Altrusa members Roberta Hoey, Christy Biella, Kaye Hotsenpiller, Carol Parker, Anita Johansen, Al Shoemmer, Natalie Frush, Judy Snedeker, Sally Senger, Diane Winger, and Susan Woody
and thanks also to ASTRA members Catherine Buy, Jaimee Elder, Bree Shawcroft, Rebecca Sherwood, Ashley Tyrrell, Laura Schroedel, Sara Kuta, Kassey Petschl, Kristin LehriJori Ayres, Autumn Triesch, and Meagan Lynch.
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