By Sue Whitaker, Muncie Altrusa—
MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Altrusa Club hosted the winners of the Annual 4th Grade Essay Contest on March 21st during a luncheon at the Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. The winners of the essay contest were Baxter Wilson, Burris; Kali Minnick, East Washington Academy; Mylah Wehlage, Royerton; Gabriel Crouch, Selma; A’Mirah Ruffin, West View; and Eli Burke, Yorktown.
Each student read their essay titled: “How Books Build a Better World” to the assembled group. Following the reading each student was presented with a certificate, a backpack filled with books and school supplies, and a Books-a Million gift card. Accompanying the students to the event were their classroom teachers, a school administrators, and parents. Each winning student’s teacher also received a gift card. To close the meeting the winners, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The winners were selected from over 380 student essays from 14th grade classrooms in the Muncie and Delaware County elementary schools. Altrusa members selected two essays from each of the classrooms which were then given to retired Ball State University Elementary Education professor Dr. Kay Stickle who made the final selection of the six winners.
Literacy has been a primary focus of the Muncie Altrusa club since its beginning in 1923. Altrusa’s first Essay contest was held in 1987.
The club’s dedication to service in the Muncie community and Delaware County is carried out through projects that encourage literacy and serve women and children.
Activities led by the Literacy Committee include:
- 4th Grade Essay Contest
- Muncie Children’s Museum – read at the Elf Adventure
- International Altrusa Grant to distribute books in some county elementary schools
- BSU Homecoming parade book distribution – cooperated with 10 other groups to distribute over 3800 books
The Membership Committee completed service projects at Classroom Connections of East Central Indiana and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Activities led by the Service Committee included:
- Muncie Soup Kitchen Lunch Program (packed lunches and helped in the kitchen)
- Working with two different day care centers by providing books, blankets and bears, valentines and cupcakes, and filled Easter Eggs
- A Soldier’s Hands – members wrote notes to soldiers that were sent overseas
- Holiday gift cards for Veterans in Delaware County
The Altrusa Club of Muncie, IN, Inc is a part of Altrusa International, Inc. whose purpose is to promote better communities through service by an international network of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Susan Volbrecht chairs the club’s Literacy Committee
