Soup and Cornbread Scholarship Fundraiser:This annual event is held at the First United Methodist Church in mid-January each year. The menu includes hot soup (potato or vegetable), cornbread, beverages and homemade desserts. Hundreds of meals are served for both lunch and dinner on either a take-out or dine-in basis.
Read To Me:
Altrusa volunteers particpate in the Haywood County Library's Read To Me program which reaches hundreds of students at preschools all over Haywood County. On the Read to Me day, volunteers to go each preschool to read stories and distribute new books for each child to keep.
Read to Me is an early childhood literacy campaign aimed at helping children from birth to age 5 start a lifelong interest in reading before they reach kindergarten. The program is funded by grants and the Haywood Friends of the Library. Dozens of volunteers from all over the county participate to make this event a huge success.
International Folkmoot Day - Water Booth
Each year, Altrusa volunteers staff a booth at the International Folkmoot Day in downtown Waynesville to supply free water to visitors and performers. It is a great way to network with others in the community and to help get Altrusa into the public awareness.
School Supply Drive
Each year in late August, Altrusa spearheads a school supply drive to collect school supplies for needy children in the county. The specific supplies are requested by social workers and are distributed at each local school in Haywood County. In 2006, our first collection drive netted a whole SUV full of supplies as well as monetary donations to purchase additional supplies. In 2007, Altrusa will pair up with Haywood Rotary Club to collect supplies at both K-Mart and Wal-Mart in Waynesville.
Haywood County Literacy Council Spelling Bee
Held at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, this annual event happens in November. Teams of three adult spellers compete. Entry fee of $100. Teams can purchase misspelled words for first two rounds. Entry fees and cash merchandise given as prizes for contestants are tax deductible. Dinner, by reservation only, precedes spelling bee at 5 p.m. Dinner tickets are $10 and $5 for children under 6. Spelling bee begins at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Literacy Council and Altrusa Club.
Student of the Month LuncheonEach year Altrusa of Waynesville recognizes students for their accomplishments and awards certificates and prizes as well as honoring the students at a luncheon at the Waynesville Country Club.
Make a Difference Day
Altrusa International of Waynesville, based in Haywood County, has sponsored a New and Almost New Book Collection Drive benefiting U.S. Military servicemen. In 2009, Altrusans collected and sent over 40 boxes of supplies to troops. In 2008, Altrusans collected new and almost new fiction paperbacks and hardcover books, to be shipped to select destinations in the Middle East at various locations in the community and a local business sponsored the cost of shipping the books overseas.