In the white tent behind Frazier’s Flower’s on Valentine’s Day, Altrusa members were busy inside sorting flower arrangements for deliveries.
Surrounded by flowers, Altrusa members Kara Holland, Molly Bickerton, Eileen Rice and Pat Parsons organized the incoming arrangements brought in by Frazier's.
Around 50 members in total made the Valentine's Day fundraiser possible, from planning routes, organizing and then delivering flowers all over Statesboro.
For Kara Holland and Molly Bickerton, it was their first time participating in the Valentine's Day fundraiser. Bickerton says, “I had little knowledge of the ins and outs of the process. Luckily, we had Pat Parsons and other established Altrusa members to show us the ropes.”
The fundraiser, a 13-year partnership with Frazier’s Flowers is the organization's largest fundraiser. Altrusa earns a portion of each delivery fee, which they spend on books and literacy initiatives for local children and community organizations. Holland says for Valentine’s Day, all the Pre-K students in Bulloch County received a Valentine’s Day book.
Altrusa made a total of 214 deliveries, and approximately $3,000 was raised.
Funds raised will be used to purchase books for the Ruth McKinnon Literacy Program. The books are distributed through Backpack Buddies (Pre-K-5th grade) and to all elementary schools in Bulloch County.
Pre-K and Kindergarten students receive one book a month. In addition, Holland says, the money raised will help stock Book Nooks throughout the city.
Bickerton says, “From organizing the delivery routes the night before to managing delivery pick-ups on the day of, a lot of love goes into this project. My favorite part of the day was honestly working with and getting to know the other Altrusa members… while being surrounded by A LOT of beautiful flowers.”
The mission of Altrusa is to improve Statesboro and Bulloch County by providing service, promoting literacy, fostering cooperative assistance, and encouraging collaboration with local public and charitable organizations through our dedicated members.
Altrusa facilitates literacy initiatives and club literacy projects addressing reading needs of students in Pre-K through Grade 5 in local public schools and day care centers. Altrusa also participates in service activities that promote a better community by addressing the unique needs of the Statesboro and Bulloch County community.
