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Altrusa International of Indianapolis, Inc. - The Altrusa Flash - November 2022

President's Message

Submitted by Lisa and Cara

Dear Altrusans,

As they say, 'The Days Are Long, but the Years Are Short'! It is hard to believe that November is already here! In addition to Thanksgiving Day, November is also National Gratitude Month. Research has shown that gratitude can enhance our moods, decrease stress, and improve our overall level of health and well-being. On average, grateful people experience less depression, have lower blood pressure, and are more physically fit! They are happier, have more satisfying personal and professional relationships, and will be better liked!! We Altrusans are a very lucky group in that through our service projects, we can demonstrate gratitude all year long. We are indeed a lucky group!

Food pantries are especially busy and in need of help in November and December. We will participate with many other grateful volunteers at St Vincent DePaul Food Pantry on Saturday, November 5^th. Additionally, on November 19^thwe will be making fleece blankets that will provide warmth and comfort to many less fortunate children in our community this winter.

Our Indianapolis Altrusa Foundation will conduct its annual fundraising campaign in November. As you know, our foundation is dedicated to supporting nontraditional students at IUPUI and Ivy Tech through scholarships. Two of this year’s four scholarship recipients will be joining us at our November meeting. We look forward to meeting them and having them share with us their plans for the future.

Happy Thanksgiving to all Indianapolis Altrusans! We hope you enjoy a stress-free day with your friends and loved ones. If you are cooking, good luck! 😉

From the Service Committee:

Submitted by Faye Snodgress, Service Committee Chair

Salvation Army

On October 22, seven Club members hosted residents of the Salvation Army Women's and Children Shelter to our annual Ice Cream Social and Magic show. Residents enjoyed ice cream with toppings, commenting that it has been a very long time since they had had ice cream. Melanie Chacon, magician extraordinaire, provided a fun and entertaining show that was appreciated by everyone. Both mothers and children received their choice of up to three books, blank journals and pens. Many thanks to Adair, Lisa, Connie, Kay, Jennifer S., Faye, and Melanie for providing residents with a special break in their day.

Moorhead Community Center

Moorhead Community Center again hosted a Fall Festival with 25 partners who had exhibits and materials, free haircuts, a Girl Scout meeting, along with a karate exposition, which is offered free for students from Grade 2 to 12 at the Center. There were plenty of costumes - some scary, some fun, and others reflecting their family's culture. Pat Everett, Jennifer Staashelm and Faye Snodgress welcomed more than 350 parents and children.

Coburn Place

Drew LaCroix at Coburn Place, who had been notified that the group who was to provide pumpkins for their Halloween event on October 27 could no longer do it, reached out to see if we could help. A farmer near Edinburgh offered us 33 pumpkins for $2 each. Our colleagues at Coburn were thrilled to get the pumpkins, as well as two very large mums for their holiday festivities.

Don't Forget to Order Nuts!

Submitted by Kathy Finley & Jennifer Staashelm, Finance Committee Co-chairs

The holidays are just around the corner! Once again, Altrusa International of Indianapolis will be selling nuts and candies through Terri Lynn Fundraising. Our club receives 20% of the sales for the nuts, dried fruits, and candies offered on the Altrusa webstore at https://altrusaindy.terrilynn.com/. These proceeds are used to fund operating support for the club. Terri Lynn’s products are reasonably priced and are fresh so place your order now in time for the holidays. Please allow 10 -14 business days for delivery.

Terri Lynn flyer

Submitted by Kay Herber, Foundation President

The Altrusa Foundation of Indianapolis is in charge of the program for the November meeting. We are pleased to announce that our two 2022 scholarship winners from Ivy Tech Community College have agreed to come to our meeting and tell us about themselves. Shawanna Stuckey and Noah Farmer are both in the nursing program at Ivy Tech. I'm sure you'll find their stories inspiring and I hope you'll be able to attend the meeting and give them a warm Altrusa welcome.

Member Spotlight: Minnie Hardegen

Submitted by Lisa Poole

This month's Member in the Spotlight has long since passed but a bit of her came back to us a couple of months ago when her niece came to our business meeting to bring the Club her aunt's Altrusa ring and pin. We did not know who Minnie was then, but we do now!

Minnie C. Hardegen was a charter member of the Indianapolis Altrusa Club in 1917! She attended the first convention held by the National Association of Altrusa Clubs in Indianapolis in 1918. She served on the decoration committee for the May 1928 Convention of the National Association of Altrusa Clubs, also held in Indianapolis. She is listed many times in the Indianapolis Star in the '20s, '30s, and '40s and was clearly a very active member. She was elected President of the Indianapolis Club in 1935. Minnie worked as a secretary for Stout Shoe Store for many years, retiring in 1948. She was a graduate of St. John's Acadeny and a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. She died at home on April 10,1966 at the age of 82 and is buried at Holy Cross and St. Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis.