The Altrusa Club and Frazier's partner for youth literacy
In a partnership formed from helping each other, the Altrusa Club of Statesboro and Frazier's Flowers, give back to Bulloch County through youth literacy.
The Altrusa Club of Statesboro is a local non-profit with forty-five members, all working together to make our community better through leadership, partnership, and success. The ladies of Altrusa are making a real difference in Bulloch County. They take on a variety of service, literacy, and fundraising projects each year to support their main goal of doing good in the community.
In a recent interview with Patricia Parsons, we talked about the Altrusa Club of Statesboro’s largest fundraiser. Every year the ladies of the club partner with Frazier’s Flowers on Valentine’s Day to assist with delivering all the flowers.
Shannon Lowe with Melanie Rodriguez on Valentine's Day | Credit: Altrusa Club
"I couldn't ask for a sweeter opportunity." -Shannon Lowe, Owner of Frazier's Flowers
Shannon Lowe, owner of Frazier’s, said, “I don’t have to worry about anything other than creating customers' flower orders. The ladies organize and deliver all the flowers to each customer. The Altrusa Club gets the job done. In return, I gift the club all delivery fees collected on Valentine’s Day.”
I asked Shannon how this partnership originally came about. Shannon shared, “Former owner of Frazier’s, Marjorie Frazier, a member of Altrusa, approached the group about creating a fundraiser by way of delivering flowers. Mrs. Marjorie saw the need and a way to give back. It became a tradition for the club each year to participate in the delivery of the flowers. I am thankful for the encouragement to continue with the partnership from Mr. & Mrs. Frazier. We have been working together with the Altrusa Club for 11 years.”
Marjorie Frazier with Nancy Waters | Credit: Altrusa Club
Ms. Parsons said, “These days I am on the organizing side of the fundraiser, but when I did deliver the flowers to customers, I loved the way the flowers put smiles on faces. I enjoyed watching the sheer joy people get when they realize that the flowers are for them.”
Eileen Rice sorting arrangements for delivery. | Credit: Altrusa Club
The fundraiser has been so successful for both Frazier’s and the Altrusa Club that they are now adding Mother’s Day! The funding raised goes directly back into Bulloch County in the form of children’s books, as the Altrusa Club's primary focus is on youth literacy.
Debbie Vives loading flowers for delivery. | Credit: Altrusa Club
Ms. Parsons elaborated, “We provide books to every child pre-k through 5th grade in the public schools with a brand new or gently used book each month. The hope is that the children can build a library of books that they can call their own and read anytime that they want. Just in September of this school year, the Altrusa Club gave a total of 10,112 books to children in our community. It really is amazing what 45 women and a couple of volunteers can do!”
L to R: Pam Campbell, Janet Reiber, Trudy Counts, Ileen Dailey, Eileen Rice labeling and packing books. | Credit: Altrusa Club
The Altrusa Club of Statesboro also partners with other clubs and organizations such as the Statesboro Service League, Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis Club, YMCA, and Georgia Southern’s SOAR Program. For example, the Service League provides gently used books that are collected for their annual Attic Sale to the club.
Book Room with labeled books packed and ready for delivery. | Credit: Altrusa Club
The Altrusa Club is always asking for gently used books. They are also in need of a few more grants from other funding sources. The club is also recruiting new members. If you have a heart for literacy, reach out to a member of The Altrusa Club. This year’s Co-Presidents are Nancy Shumaker and Gwen Yarbrough, and they are looking forward to leading the group and expanding the reach of the Altrusa Club.
