WARSAW — Altrusa International of Warsaw, a local non-profit service organization, installed their officer team for the 2018-2019 fiscal year on May 3.

Immediate Past President Vicki Martin served as installing officer for the new leadership team. Serving are President Bev Faulkner, Co-Vice Presidents Vicky Patterson and Martie Lennane, Secretary Beth Huffer, Treasurer Jan Sloan and Directors Sharon Sanders, Mary Garrett and Sue Woodward. 

The Club also kicked off its 45th anniversary celebration. The group is affiliated with Altrusa International, an international service organization managing the Altrusa International Foundation, which distributes grants and awards totaling over $107,000 to Altrusa Club projects, disaster relief and Club 21 grants in addition to funding three major club awards. 

In addition to the installation of the club’s new leaders, the membership committee initiated five members bringing the total new club members to nine for this past fiscal year. New members include Alyx Bates, Stephanie Booth, Jacki Decker, Barbara Frye, Mary Garrett, Julie Hall, Darci Kessie, Rosemary Laughlin and Carol Vierling.

The Warsaw Club members enjoy hands-on projects benefiting the community and conduct fundraisers to support their service projects. Some of their projects include adoption of a class at Lincoln Elementary School, sponsorship of a CCS Project Independence single mother furthering her education to raise the standard of living for her family, support for Grace College Mentors for Kids, Bakers Youth Club, American Red Cross, Kosciusko Literacy Services, Feed My Starving Children, Salvation Army, Breath of Life Haiti, Riley Hospital Radio Days and Mobile Meals. The group annually provides the front doors for the Kosciusko County Habitat for Humanity homes. They also founded the Beaman Home in 1985 and CASA in 1992 and continue volunteer and financial support to both organizations. Their biggest service project is Bingo for Beaman Home now in its ninth year and will take place on Oct. 18.

Visitors are welcome at any of the Club’s meetings, and anyone interested in serving our community is encouraged to attend.  The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at Richard’s Restaurant. Generally, the club meets twice a month on the first and third Thursdays, however, during the months of June, July and August they meet just once a month at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday at Richard’s.  More information can be found on their Altrusa Warsaw Facebook page or by contacting members at [email protected].