A book for every 1st Grader

Once again, Altrusa of Montrose is teaming up with the Library and Rotary to enhance literacy for all the first grade students in our local school district. We're visiting each first grade classroom and handing out a free book (provided by our Altrusa club) to each child.

The children are also enjoying a field trip to the library, where they are issued a library card and learn about borrowing books as well as all the outstanding children's programs our library has to offer.

We know how important reading is to the future of these young children and are proud to be a part of this award-winning program.

Season's Readings - book donations needed

We're starting up our annual project to collect new and gently-used children's books and make sure children in need in our community receive a gift of books this holiday season. Altrusa will also purchase additional books, especially in Spanish, to add to those donated by people in and around our town.

Thank you, Montrose, for making a difference in our community!

Altrusa donates Children’s Library to CASA

Literacy is a core focus of Altrusa International, and the local Montrose club chose a new project this autumn to commemorate International Literacy Day. Following research and discussion with CASA’s Director, Carlton Mason, Altrusa’s Literacy Committee became aware of the need for children’s books in their facility. CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates – is an organization serving abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes and find themselves in the courts and child welfare system through no fault of their own. CASA helps to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect through advocacy and interaction, and the local office serves Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties.

A section of the CASA building was sectioned off for a new children’s library and shelving and signage was added. Altrusa of Montrose purchased $1,150 in new books for children ages 2-14 plus two bean bag chairs for the area. The Literacy committee tagged and sorted books and delivered them, along with the chairs. Altrusa members and CASA staff were on hand for the library dedication.

The books will be read in the library and also be given to children wanting to keep the books.

Since the dedication, Mason has reported the children and their families are enjoying the books and some of the books have been taken home. The book collection was supplemented by Thomas and Stephanie Keller, who donated books from Hastings, and to Freddie Hancock of Montrose Manor who also donated books.

Altrusa to donate Baby Books and more for Make a Difference Day

How timely! For Make a Difference Day on Oct. 24, Altrusa International of Montrose CO will be donating baby books for...
Posted by Altrusa International of Montrose CO on Thursday, October 15, 2015

Raising funds to help our community (and others!)

Altrusa of Montrose is pleased to host our annual Holiday Festival & Gifts fundraising event again this year. We've just finished setting up the numerous decorated trees, wreaths, gift baskets, gift certificates, and several special items for the silent auction. The public is invited to view and bid on the items all this coming week (Monday, 11/17 through Friday, 11/21) in the lobby of Wells Fargo in downtown Montrose.

On Friday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. we'll hold a festive party with catered appetizers and desserts, wine, beer, and other beverages. Bidding on the auction items will close at 8:15 p.m. Tickets to the festival party are on sale for $20 at Fabula (downtown) and will also be available at the door the night of the event.







New this year:
Be sure to check out the gorgeous Altrusa Literacy Tree just inside the front entrance to the bank. The tree is decorated with children's books and delightful ornaments, including notes from people remembering their favorite books from their own childhood. This tree is not for sale. Instead, it will be donated to the Children's section of our own Montrose Library to promote next summer's reading program. Young participants will have the opportunity to earn rewards of books directly from the tree.

We hope you'll support Altrusa's many literacy projects with a donation to our Literacy Committee. Learn more about this key committee is up to this year, and help us continue to enhance literacy in our community. A donation box has been placed by the Altrusa Literacy Tree for this purpose.

See you on November 21st!

Teddy Bear Picnic (Make a Difference Day Literacy event)

Literacy Committee Chair Jana Ackerman tells students, toddlers,
and staff about the "Corduroy" Bear books for children

Each year, Altrusa of Montrose chooses a special project for the nationally-recognized Make a Difference Day. On October 29, 2014, Altrusa hosted a Teddy Bear Picnic at Passage Charter School, an alternative high school for pregnant and parenting teens with an on-site daycare center.

The event began with storytelling by retired teacher and librarian Jana Ackerman, who also serves as Chair for Altrusa's Literacy Committee. In keeping with the Teddy Bear theme, Jana read from several board book versions of the Corduroy bear book series.

Following storytime, Altrusa members served a picnic lunch to the students, children, and staff (catered by Straw Hat Farms).

Finally, each young parent or parent-to-be was given a box set of the Corduroy board books to take home and add to their home library of children's books.

By encouraging young parents to read to their babies and toddlers, Altrusa hopes to enhance the future language skills of these children. Researchers have found that reading bedtime stories to babies and talking to them from birth boosts their brain power and sets them up for success at school.

Literacy - a core focus of Altrusa

Altrusa is all about leadership and helping our communities, and a core focus of how we do that is through literacy projects. Altrusa of Montrose has a strong commitment to enhancing the literacy within our region. Our Literacy Committee has set its sights high with a total of 11 literacy projects in mind for this fiscal year (June 2014 through May 2015):

1. Montrose Adult Basic Literacy - we provide funds to help adults with expenses related to attaining their GED credentials

2. Apple Award - we recognize teachers from our local schools for providing educational excellence

3. Make a Difference Day - we participate in this nation-wide volunteer day with a local literacy project. This year, we plan to provide a set of board books to each young parent (or soon-to-be parent) at Passage Charter School and help them understand the importance of reading to their babies.

4. Season’s Readings - we partner with the Montrose Daily Press in collecting gently-used children's books, bundling books with ribbons, and having HHS distribute them to lower-income children in December. Altrusa supplements the collection with additional Spanish-language books.

5. Literacy committee/MHS ASTRA collaboration for Tandem families - Altrusa provides additional financial support to MHS ASTRA (our high school affiliate) for them to provide gift baskets to Tandem Families

6. Buddy Bag project for homeless children - we provide bags of books and basic writing supplies for homeless children

7. Read Across America - we lead a celebration of NEA's literacy program (Dr Seuss Day) at Haven House, an organization that assists families and individuals in adjusting from Homelessness to a self-sustaining lifestyle.

8. MRLD Summer Reading Program - our donation helps our local library district provide books to children participating in their Summer Reading Program

9. Rotary/Montrose Regional Library/Altrusa first grade collaboration book giveaway - we partner with the Library and Rotary in sending all First Graders in our area on a field trip to the library, helping them obtain library cards, and providing free books to each child to keep permanently.

10. Nursery Rhyme booklets - we partner with Pediatric Associates which is part of the national Reach Out and Read program (Reach Out and Read trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children at pediatric checkups). Altrusa provides booklets for pediatricians to give to the parents of their young patients.

11. Vista Charter School library - we are providing funds to help this school build its library

If you are passionate about the importance of literacy and would enjoy volunteering for projects like these, please contact us. We would love to share our vision of service with you and welcome you to our Altrusa family.

Read Across America - Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Altrusa International of Montrose celebrated “Read Across America” with Passage Charter School on Monday, March 3, 2014. The event included a “Foot Book” story time presented by Jana Ackerman, Altrusa literacy committee chairperson. Everyone was invited to wear fancy socks which were shared and counted.

After reading and singing, a delicious lunch prepared by Karen Byler of Straw Hat Farm was served by members of Altrusa.

The meal was topped off with cookies shaped like feet and hands with fancy finger and toe nails. Board book copies of “The Foot Book,” “Hand FingersThumb”,”Dr. Seuss's ABCs” and “Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You?” were distributed to each Passage Charter School student for their home library as a way of sharing the important message of reading to their children daily, an apt conclusion to a celebration of literacy which was enjoyed and appreciated by all in attendance.

Altrusa makes a difference at Haven House

Members of Altrusa International of Montrose celebrated Make A Difference Day Saturday, October 26, 2013 with a dog-themed event for residents of Haven House, a non-profit organization providing a stable home for up to 20 homeless families working toward a fresh start. Deputy K-9 Oxx and his human parther, Officer Sanders, were in attendance as were four dogs and their owners from Morningstar Therapy Dogs.

The day began with a brunch (including some dog treats for the canine guests) for approximately 50 residents, staff, and volunteers. This was followed by a dog story time for the younger children presented by Altrusa member, Jana Ackerman, and a chance for the older children and adults to meet Oxx and learn about his duties and training. Many of the children enjoyed decorating (and eating) dog-shaped cookies which were provided by Joyce Loss, another Altrusa member.

 

Altrusa had plenty of books on hand for babies, toddlers, young children, and teens so that each child could fill a bag with 5 books to keep for their very own.  

Season's Readings

Altrusa members sort & wrap books for Season's Readings (2010)

With our annual Holiday Festival & Gifts fundraiser just barely behind us, Altrusa members are diving into our next service project for the year -- Season's Readings.

In partnership with the Montrose Daily Press, Altrusa helps collect new and gently-used children's books from the community. We contribute a considerable number of new books which we've purchased, and have a delightful time tying festive ribbons on the books so they can be distributed to children in our community.

Last year, we distributed around 2,000 books. We're told by the folks at Health & Human Services that the need is continuing to grow, so our goal is to surpass last year's totals. Members of the Montrose community have always been very generous with their donations, and we hope to ensure that all families in need of help this time of year can enjoy the gift of reading for their children.

Make A Difference Day Early Literacy Fair

Join Altrusa of Montrose and Montrose Regional Library for a fun and educational event focused on developing literacy skills in children from birth through 2nd Grade.

The Fair kicks off on Saturday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m. with Storytelling with Julie Herrera, followed by a variety of entertaining and informative, 15-minute workshops. You'll be able to collect tips for working with children to ensure excellent literacy development. Clock hour credit for child care providers available.



While the adults are picking up great ideas for helping the children in their care develop a love for reading (yes, even the infants benefit!), the babies and children through age 5 will enjoy:

• Reach Out and Read!
• Dramatic Play
• Rhymes and Chimes
• Scarf Play

Kindergarteners through 2nd graders can participate in:

• Writing to Read
• Reading with your emergent reader
• Words, Words, and More Words
• Puppet Pals Craft

Every child who attends will receive a free book!

Refreshments served by Centennial Middle School Student Council:
Apple Cider..........Pumpkin Cookies...........Apples
 
So, bring your kids to Montrose Regional Library from 10 a.m. to Noon on October 22, 2011 for a good time, and return home with lots of useful information that will help you to help the children in your care to develop excellent literacy skills.

Altrusa gives Passage Charter students a head-start on literacy for their babies

Early literacy research indicates that one of the best ways to ensure young children become competent readers and writers is to get books into their hands. As a way of supporting this effort in our community, Altrusa International of Montrose recently gave each student attending Passage Charter School a selection of board books as a beginning library for the babies of these young women. This gift was given with the hope that it will empower young mothers to read early and often to their children as they grow.

L to R: (standing) Asia Broughton, Maria Navarro, Erika Tatman,
Jana Ackerman (Altrusa Literacy Chair), Mana Molina, Anya Van Acker
(kneeling) Ana Nieto, Jana Camargo

Books for Children - Season's Readings

Since 1998, Altrusa has supported the Montrose Daily Press “Season’s Readings” program, which distributes about 2,000 books annually to school-age children for a “gift of literacy” during the holiday season. Altrusa members collect books from community donation drop-off sites, bundle the books in ribbons and bows, and deliver the books to Montrose County Health and Human Services Department where parents and caregivers select books appropriate for children of all ages.

Early Education Fair slated for 'Make a Difference Day'

On Saturday, October 23, Altrusa of Montrose is pleased to present an Early Education Fair for young children, their parents, pre-school teachers, and day-care providers. The fair will feature lots of entertaining (and educational) things for the little ones, including puppet shows and story-telling, plus some refreshments and treats for all.

The Montrose Library Bookmobile will be on-site for everyone to explore. Altrusa will have a Literacy table where we will be providing reading suggestions and related activities for adults caring for young children, and will even be giving away some children's books.

The Fair will be held at Centennial Plaza from 10:00 a.m. until noon (alternate location in case of inclement weather is the Lion's Community Building at 602 North Nevada).

Early Education Fair Flyer

Pomona students send a really big "Thank You"

This large poster was sent to Altrusa and to our guest literacy speaker, Michael Shoulders, after he spoke at their school last week.

Children's author inspires local kids - "Reading is Magic"

Altrusa's Literacy committee was pleased to bring author Michael Shoulders to Montrose and Olathe elementary schools to get local children excited about reading. Shoulders gave a presentation at an Altrusa District Ten conference several years ago, and our local members who heard him felt his dynamic and entertaining messages on the importance and the magic of reading would be highly beneficial to our young students. Altrusa, with the help of additional grants from Rotary Club and Academic Booster Club, arranged for Shoulders to come to Montrose to give presentations at 5 local elementary schools and to meet with our local library staff over the course of 3 days.

Altrusa members had a surprise visit from Shoulders at our February 2 meeting, as he stopped in briefly between multiple presentations for Oak Grove and Northside. He entertained us with a reading -- no, more of a performance -- of one of his books, V is for Volunteer, an alphabetical tribute to his home state of Tennessee.  His Elvis ("E is for Elvis") was a particular hit with his audience.

Michael Shoulders is a former educator, and the author of nine children's books, including Say Daddy, which won a National Parenting Publications award.  His presentations to local students taught them how an idea can eventually become a book, and he told us that an idea he had while eating breakfast with Altrusa members at The Daily Bread may grow into a new book.

Altrusans prepare gifts of books for children

The Montrose Daily Press and Altrusa of Montrose partner to bring new and gently used children's books to clients of Health and Human Services for the Holidays. The two have been bringing books into the homes of local children for 10 years and have collected and donated thousands of books for area youth over those years.

Seasons Readings runs through December 15, 2009 with donation drop off sites at the Montrose Daily Press, City Market South, Genesis Christian Book Store, Starbucks, and The Coffee Trader.

Montrose Altrusa members tie ribbons on the first batch of Seasons Readings books for the season.

Altrusa Literacy & Litter League Book Giveaway & Recycling Event

Altrusa and ASTRA joined forces on October 24, 2009 for a special project on Make a Difference Day.

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.

Buddy Bags assembled and ready

Altrusans formed an assembly line at today's meeting to stuff 120 Buddy Bags with childrens' books, notebooks, crayons, pens, pencils, rulers, and other goodies.  Altrusa expects to distribute a total of 160 Buddy Bags this year to area agencies to be given to children who come for services for themselves or family members.  Some Buddy Bags featuring Spanish-language books were also created to serve children in families not fluent in English.

City Council awards $1,000 grant to Altrusa

Elaine Moore presented a check for $1,000 to Altrusa of Montrose today from Montrose City Council as part of their Community Support Funding. This grant will help fund Altrusa's Buddy Bag project.

Buddy Bags are large canvas bags filled with children's books, coloring books, crayons, and other items. The bags are given to children by Tri-County Resource Center, Montrose Medical Mission, Montrose Community Dental Clinic, and Adult Education Center when they or their parents visit those organizations for services. Members of Altrusa cut the fabric and sew the bags using the professional equipment at Powderhorn Industries in Montrose.