As summer comes to an end and we sprint into fall—at least according to the calendar, if not the thermometer—it’s clear that we have a busy and exciting season ahead of us!

First, please join me in welcoming our newest members, Helena Linzy and Carolyn Stoffel! We are so happy to have you as part of Altrusa and look forward to discovering the pieces you will add to our picture of service.

School is back in session, and our ASTRA team is hard at work supporting our ASTRA clubs and mentoring these young student leaders. Thank you to everyone who gives their time and encouragement to help our ASTRA members develop their leadership skills and discover the joy of service.

We have also reached an exciting milestone in the District Nine 250 Challenge! The book portion has been completed, and we are continuing to work toward completing the Acts of Kindness and Literacy Hours portions of the challenge. Please remember to record your Acts of Kindness and Literacy Hours on the meeting sign-in sheets. We have until December 31 to complete the challenge, so there is still plenty of time for everyone to participate.

On September 4, we will say goodbye to our friendly dragon, Dragoo. The final school assembly and book presentation will take place at Troy Elementary School, bringing three wonderful years of this special project to a close. During that time, we have put 2,000 books into the hands of children, along with enrichment activities designed to teach children how to be a helpful neighbor—just like Dragoo. A huge thank-you goes to Sarah Davison and the Dragoo Crew for leading this fun, meaningful, and worthwhile project. 

And if it seems like the holidays are still a long way off, think again! With less than three months until the 40th Taste of the Holidays, the Taste Committee has been hard at work. Sponsorships are coming in, raffle items are being collected, raffle tickets will be available soon, and invitations will go out by the end of the month. Stay tuned for more information about how you can participate in our one and only fundraiser. This milestone event promises to be one you won't want to miss!

Fall is shaping up to be a busy one, but it is also filled with opportunities to serve, connect, and make a difference. Thank you for bringing your time, talents, and enthusiasm to Altrusa. Together, we are continuing to put our Pieces with Purpose together and complete an amazing picture of service!