Altrusa International of Nanaimo, BC

When clients arrive at Haven House, they receive one of our Women’s Care Bags filled with personal care items and PPE. But we can’t forget the children that sometimes accompany them. Twice a year, Janice S. sews these adorable kids’ bags and fills them with toothbrushes and toothpaste, Kleenex, activity books, crayons, pens, pencils, and lovable stuffies (donated from the Christmas Children’s Toy Drive). Thanks so much, Janice, for looking after the little ones!

We are thrilled to have Vivien (L) and Verena (R) join our Club this past October. Thanks to Sue R and our Nanoose Bay girls for sponsoring them. Welcome ladies!

We’ve had another stellar year for door swag sales. These lovely swags are lovingly hand-made by our Altrusans every year. A HUGE THANK YOU to Davey Tree Service for helping us harvest greenery and Green Thumb Nursery for allowing us to use the space in their nursery. You can’t beat the fragrance of fresh cut cedar and holly to to make your door beautiful. Pictured with the Davey truck is Gerry and Sue R, Robin and Elizabeth, Trudi, Linda and Sharen. Our beautiful finished product, new swags all lined up and ready to go and busy girls Vickie Sharen, Linda and Donna in the assembly line! Thanks to everyone for your time and efforts for our club! Happy Holidays!

Samaritan House, an Emergency Womens Shelter in Nanaimo, was the recipient of a lot of good things last week. Linda and Janice S are holding up 1 of the 8 beautiful handmade quilts donated by a long time Altrusa supporter Susan. They delivered a total of 22 quilts and comforters as well as board games, playing cards, journals, sketch pads, coloured pencils, pens and markers. Along with all that, was crochet hooks, knitting needles, wool, ribbons, embroidery thread and much more! Many of the items were donated by members and some was also purchased. I'm sure the ladies there will enjoy using everything. Thanks to the organizers and donators in this very worthy project.

Thank you to Alicia at La-Z-Boy! Once again they have donated upholstery fabric samples to us so we can create our care bags. Our care bags are given to those in need and contain shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand lotion, PPE as well as various other items that is needed for daily hygiene. Our President Trudi (shown with Alicia) sews all these bags. Shes going to be a busy girl. We got a 2 large bins full of fabric samples! Thanks so much La-Z-Boy!!

MEMBER RECOGNITION We want to celebrate these two beautiful ladies who have given so much time and love and energy to Altrusa over the years. Their continued commitment to our club and our community is an inspiration to us all. June (left) has been a member for 25 years and Joyce (right) has been a member for 15 years THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS !!!

Congrats to Cheryl C! Once again, as an employee of ISLAND SAVINGS, Cheryl has earned the Lead Well Award of $500 for her volunteer hours and dedication to her community. This is the second time she has earned this award and given it to Altrusa. Linda accepts the cheque while our "Weed Wenches" look on. Altrusa "Weed Wenches" maintain the gardens and grounds at Haven House, a safe place for women and their children to go at a time of crisis. In the photo is Roberta, Janice G, Cheryl C, Linda (accepting the cheque), Sue R, and Sharen P. Thank you so much Cheryl!! We are honoured to be the fortunate beneficiary and grateful to have someone with such a generous heart in our midst. THANK YOU Cheryl!

Feeling grateful! Until Covid, every three weeks for the past 53 years, Altrusans delivered library books to seniors and shut-ins who couldn't get to the library. Thursday Sept 17 was our first time back delivering since February. A HUGE THANK YOU to Rodney, Cheryl, Anthony and Casey at our downtown branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library. They created a Covid safe procedure for us to resume our deliveries to our home-bound clients. We appreciate your dedication be...yond measure. Sharon P. Pat F, Elizabeth, and Vivian get ready to load up their cars. Well done everyone!!

ALTRUSANS REALLY ROCK Our Nanoose Bay Altrusans, Nicole, Donna and Sue R, got together to paint some rocks which were then placed throughout the gardens and trails at Haven House, for the kids to find, move around and play with. These delightful rock creations joined existing rocks, gnome doors, and little bird houses, which have been donated over time by Altrusa members and their families and friends. What talented ladies! Thank you, Sue, for taking the pics! You should have done a selfie!