Altrusa of Highland County earns Wilma B. Hogan Enduring Community Project Award
Pictured is Altrusa of Highland County member Karyn Evans (right) receiving the award for the club at the International Convention in Canada.
Altrusa International of Highland County was recently honored to receive the Wilma B. Hogan Enduring Community Project Award at the Altrusa International Convention held in Quebec, Canada.
This award, sponsored by Altrusa International Foundation, was based on the longevity of the project, description of the project (Books For All Kids), impact on the community, and involvement of the club and outcomes.
Altrusa International of Highland County was organized in 1994 with a commitment to community service and literacy. Beginning in 2002, the club began the project of distributing books to students in Highland County. The purpose and goal were to put a book in the hands of children and to promote literacy for all.
The initial project began with delivering books to students in grades 1, 2 and 4. This project was made possible from fundraising activities and support from the community for those fundraisers, such as the annual Quarter Raffle and Book Sales.
Grants from South Central Power, the Elks, NCB bank, Altrusa International Foundation, and sponsoring a golf tournament opened funds to begin giving books to students in grades K-5. Recently the club has received money from Merchants National Bank, Weastec and Hillsboro Eagles and will be expanding the book project to include preschool and supporting 6th grade teachers with needed literacy materials.
The club’s award committee spent numerous hours working on this application which was written by Barbara Yochum.
“For over 20 years, this impactful initiative has placed more than 27,000 books into the hands of Highland County children promoting literacy, sparking joy, and changing lives one book at a time,” according to the Altrusa International Facebook page.