For many people it’s still a bit early to be thinking about Christmas, but the ladies and gents of Altrusa International of Golden Valley (AIGV), have been thinking about it and planning for months already.
Community enrichment is what Altrusa International is all about and this new club continues that tradition. Those who wanted to be involved in community outreach but couldn’t because of conflicting work schedules now have another option. Last July AIGV became the third Altrusa club in Santa Maria, now meeting in the mornings for breakfast.
The new club was pioneered by Sylvia Ng and Jackie Brunello. But wasn’t just the meeting time that spurred them to start the newest club.
“We did an analysis for the community and found out that there were enough people in Santa Maria to offer a third club,” Brunello said.
They recruited 40 charter members for the fledgling club, double the 20 members needed to start a new club.
Right out of the gate the newest club in town made a splash. Their first project was to fill 100 backpacks with school supplies and donate them to the two most needy schools in Santa Maria. The project was so successful that the club is planning a long-term project designed to donate 100 back packs to every elementary school in Santa Maria.
“I think because there’s so much camaraderie it makes it easy,” Brunello said explaining what keeps organizing events from getting to be too much.
In 2003, Ng founded the Festival of Trees event where fully decorated trees are raffled and the winner receives the tree and the gifts beneath it. She brings that tradition with her to the breakfast club under the name Magical Christmas Trees.
“Except it will be more elaborate, it will be more whimsical and enchanting for the children,” Brunello said.
They will be partnering with World to You to bring this event to life. After the Halloween store next to Costco vacates, AIGV will move in to transform the space into a wonderland where the trees will be displayed. PCPA will help with decorations, including the 20-foot backdrop from the production of My Fairytale.
The trees will be on display from Nov. 25 to Dec. 5. The tickets will be sold for $1 each or six for $5. Tickets will only be sold at the display. The trees come pre-lit and the individual sponsors furnishe them with decorations and gifts generally following a theme.
In addition to the magical display, attendees can expect to encounter Santa Claus who will be giving out books to the kids.
For more information, call Sylvia Ng at 598-2020 or e-mail srng@chrater.net. ∆
Intern Michael McCone compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 3, 2011.
