Altrusa Club of Elgin has been caring for the community for over 60 years
Caring about its community since 1946, Altrusa International of Elgin, IL, Inc. has made a significant impact on assessing and addressing the vital needs of the Elgin area.
The local club is part of an international organization founded in 1917 in the United States. It has grown throughout the world with clubs in Puerto Rico, Canada, England, Bermuda, Ireland, Scotland, India, New Zealand and Russia. Globally, members provide over a million hours per year of volunteer community service.
Altrusa's motto is "Patriotism, Efficiency, Service" and the name itself signifies the Altrusa Keys symbolic for each letter of its name: Amity, Loyalty, Talent, Reciprocity, Unity, Service, and Achievement.
Elgin's club is composed of business and professional women, both active and retired, from various communities. They reside in Elgin, South Elgin, Pingree Grove, Hampshire, Huntley, and northern Kane County in Carpentersville, West Dundee, East Dundee, Sleepy Hollow and Algonquin.
Thousands of dollars are raised each year to support a number of programs and local nonprofit organizations. Members are actively involved in local projects, such as:
• "Chews to Read" providing books and activity sheets in dental health tote bags for 5- to 6-year-olds during first-time dental check-ups at the Greater Elgin Family Care Center;
• "Altrusa Cares Corner" at the Elgin Area YWCA supporting children with a school bag collection;
• "Project PJ" distributing pajamas, socks and underwear during the holidays to the Salvation Army;
• Raising funds to provide a scholarship at Elgin Community College;
• Providing grants to local agencies which focus on literacy;
• Serving as volunteers at various community organizations and nonprofits.
Since 1950 when Harriet Armstrong was named the first Altrusa Woman of the Year, women have been honored each year who have excelled in community service and exemplify the Altrusa Keys.
Altrusa is pleased to announce that Jennifer Colby of Elgin will be honored as the 2020 Altrusa Woman of the Year. This year's Woman of the Year celebration, which annually takes place in May, has been rescheduled due to the current COVID-19 crisis. It will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17, at Villa Olivia in Bartlett.
"Our members take great pride in volunteering and giving back to our own community," said Mary Rees Freeman, president, of the Elgin club. "We were honored to receive an award from the Elgin Heritage Commission in May 2015, for our 50-plus years of service as a civic organization." The award was given to the Elgin Altrusa Club for promoting literacy, community health, and educations in the community.
For more information about Altrusa International of Elgin, which meets the third Thursday of each month, visit the club's Facebook page or email club president Mary Rees Freeman at mrf647@hotmail.com.