Communiqué
ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL OF DALLAS, TEXAS, INC.
DISTRICT NINE
November 2015
President’s Message
Sharron Vance
2015-2016 President
Altrusa International
of Dallas, Texas, INC.
November– What are you Thankful for?
How often do you personally look around you and
think of just how blessed you are and how thankful
you should be for each and every day you live in this
wonderful land of the free. Right off the bat, most of
us are women and many are living and working in
what has been called “a man’s world” for a long time.
It’s changing, and has been for some time now. What
would you have thought if you had not been allowed
to vote or choose a career?? Aren’t we lucky?
graced with these wonderful women to learn from. I,
personally, don’t know what I would have done without the support of these beautiful ladies.
We all tend to think of our family and our friends, our
jobs, homes, etc. when we think about it. But, think
too, about the other families, women and children
that Altrusa, not just our club, Altrusa as a whole,
manages to touch in some way in 365 days for their
communities in so many valuable ways.
Be thankful for being given the where with all to be
able to be of service to each other and our individual
communities. Be thankful for that time we get to
spend together at a meeting or in a service project or
just laughing and visiting.
I know I don’t make it every day, but I try to be thankful each and every day for the eye-opening gorgeous
sunrises, the beautiful sultry Moon setting, for my
friends and family, for Altrusa, for Texas Scottish Rite
Hospital, for Ronald McDonald House (I’m a little partial to these three for some unknown reason), for my
I know I don’t think about it often enough and I surely job, my home that is cool in the heat and warm in the
don’t thank the powers that be for it often enough.
cold, for all the amenities I have been blessed with
Our Membership Committee has been working over- and more than anything else that is on this Earth my
time this year to give us in our club a glimpse into the children. And then I tend to ramble on and on deunbelievable friendships, comradery, mentorship,
pending on what beautiful sights I’ve seen that day.
support and on and on that we just happen to be
THIS MONTH
NOVEMBER 3
Life is not always easy for all of us, but we have each other
and we have such good lives. Be thankful every day for
something. You’ll feel better.
Regular Club Meeting
6 p.m.
Tips for a Thanksgiving Dinner
Dee Parmer, Event Chair
NOVEMBER 17
Regular Club Meeting
6 p.m.
Patriot Paws
Sandra Balssingame, Event Chair
NOVEMBER 25
International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
Valeta Gentzler ………………………2
Sandra Blassigname ……………...8
Frances Maloney ………………….22
Top Ten Historical Thanksgiving Facts
1. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the USA.
2. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.
3. The Plymouth Pilgrims were the first to celebrate the Thanksgiving.
4. They celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in the fall of 1621.
5. The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.
6. The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, had organized
the first Thanksgiving feast in the year 1621 and invited the
neighboring Wampanoag Indians also to the feast.
“As we express our gratitude, we must
never forget that the highest appreciation is
not to utter words, but to live by them.”
—John Fitzgerald Kennedy
7. The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.
8. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in
the 1920's.
9. Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the USA.
10. By the fall of 1621 only half of the pilgrims, who had sailed on
the Mayflower, survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive,
decided to hold a thanksgiving feast.
United Nations Observances:
International Children’s Day
COMMITTEE
NEWS
Communications
Still working on integrating all of our social
media accounts together, so that information will be easier to find.
Service
By resolution 836(IX) of 14 December 1954, the General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal
Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that
the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted
to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the
welfare of the children of the world. The Assembly suggested
to governments that the Day be observed on the date and in
the way which each considers appropriate. The date 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the
Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and
the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
The Convention, which is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, sets out a number of children’s rights
including the right to life, to health, to education and to play,
as well as the right to family life, to be protected from vio-
lence, to not be discriminated, and to have their views heard.
On the basis of the Convention and joint effort by all the countries and regions, let us promote and celebrate children’s right
on the Universal Children's Day, and continuously build up a
living-friendly environment for children in the world through
dialogues and actions.
We spent Make A Difference Day on October 24th with the women, children, and volunteers at Mosaic Family Services. We replenished the spices we first
gave them last year so that the clients can
prepare food with the correct spices from
their home countries. We also delivered 48
more "Good Night Sleep Tight" bags for the
children, which we had filled at an October
meeting with a large box of crayons, a coloring book, and a cuddly stuffed animal
wrapped around an incredibly soft blanket. We handed out the bags to the children who were with us that day and were
able to enjoy their delight as they opened
the bags to find the gifts inside. We also
provided lunch that day, with hamburgers
and hot dogs expertly grilled by Susie's husband Ben, as well as chips, fruit, veggies,
and cake. We were very thankful for the
fellowship and for the fact that the heavy
rain had stopped by Saturday morning, so
we were able to enjoy our time together.
Birthday Celebration:
Membership Development
Thanks to Jan Howell and Frances Maloney
for the "Trip Down Memory Lane" at our 87th
birthday meeting on October 20th. It was fun!
What memories will be created in the 88th
year of our Club?
Memories of those who become Altrusans in
the 88th year and become outstanding leaders in our Club, in District Nine and International.
December half year dues becomes effective. Now is the time to bring in that prospect
you have been considering. They will be able
to share with the activities planned for the
balance of our Club year including the Christmas Party and the luncheon at Old Red Courthouse. Plus we will be able to have their input
for the 2016-2017 Club Year.
Think New Members! Now is the time.
Membership Development Committee
Betty Lawson
PATRIOT PAWS FOR NOVEMBER 17TH MEETING
A guest speaker will provide an update on the exciting progress made by this organization. A quote from their literature describes Patriot
Paws as "A Service for Those Who Have Served." The Mission Statement is as follows: "To train and provide service dogs of the highest
quality at no cost to disabled American Veterans and others with mobility disability in order to help restore their physical and emotional
independence."
To quote a Veteran interviewed by the Dallas Morning News "For some Vets the dog helps them go out in public, but for me Gunny
helped me go home. When I feel my anxiety shooting up and start to feel panicked, I know I can grab him, take him for a walk, hug him,
and talk to him" he said.
Founded in 2006 by Lori Stevens, the Paws received a 501 ©(3) designation and enjoys full accreditation from Assistance Dogs International. Stevens has over 20 years as a Dog Trainer. A program with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice allows inmates to assist with
the training of the dogs, thus meeting the needs of the trainers and the recipients.
The training program for the dogs requires a great deal of time and expense. Not all dogs or individuals are suited for this opportunity.
Training may require several years at an average expense of $20,000 to $30,000. dollars. Since there is no cost to the Vet, funds must be
raised from contributions of individuals, foundations and fund raisers. In addition to funds, service by volunteers supports the organization
Over one hundred Vets are on a waiting list and may require a wait of two years. Each Vet and dog are carefully evaluated as to a workable relationship. Once a dog is placed, follow up service is provided.
A current Capital Campaign is organized to provide additional space needed for a free standing 3200 sq. ft. kennel facility, out door run
and a kennel isolation system.
We look forward to hearing current plans frQm our volunteer speaker and meeting a furry friend. Be sure to join us.