Altrusa International of Ames, Inc.
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Something Magical is Coming!
Prepping for 36th Annual Holiday Home Tour
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With the 36th Annual Holiday Home Tour approaching, Altrusa of Ames is working behind the scenes to make this year’s event unforgettable!
Tickets are ready to sell, posters are going up, homeowners are preparing their beautifully decorated homes, sponsors are being contacted, social media is buzzing, and members are busy planning every detail—from the front door to the final guest!
WHEW! We need all of Santa's elves to help us out!
Guests come from across Central Iowa to enjoy this beloved holiday tradition—and every ticket sold supports five local nonprofit agencies.
Don’t miss it! Get your ticket and join the holiday fun!
Trick or Treat for Literacy
In October, close to Halloween, Altrusa of Ames participates in Ames Main Street Downtown Trick-or-Treating. Each year, we partner with Ames Public Library and set up several tables of books. During the year, our club members collect new and gently used books to give to children for their treat. Children of all ages, who came to the library that day, received a free book, and as an added bonus, also received candy.
Our District Seven Representative, Mary Stende Miller, First Governor of District Seven, came from Fargo, ND to help with our Trick or Treat for Literacy. Mary jumped in wearing a costume and helped wherever needed.
Altrusa members helped place bookplates in books, recognizing the books were gifts from Altrusa of Ames, set up, and shared books with children. About 250 books were given away.
Participating in "Celebrate Community"
In September, Altrusa of Ames partnered with eight Ames service groups to work together, collecting food and toiletries to replenish local food pantries and schools. All donated food and toiletries was brought together at Brookside Park in Ames. Many picnic tables were filled with donated items. We took time to introduce ourselves and tell what each service organization does for the community. Donations were then split among local pantries. Altrusa of Ames delivered to Bethesda Lutheran Church Food Pantry with a local Kiwanis member.
Participating in "Celebrate Community"
Supporting Community Events
October brought out the fun in downtown Ames as they hosted a scary good time with their annual Witches Walk. This highly attended event included dressing in costume and strolling through local businesses.
Collaborating with Community Partners
Altrusa of Ames supported local nonprofit agencies to help achieve goals. Our members helped pack school backpacks in August for Blast Back to School. BBTS prepared 1700 backpacks with school supplies for students eligible for free or reduced school lunches. In September, members assisted United Way Day of Caring by packing dental, snack, reading, bracelet kits and made cards for community residents.
Rummage RAMPage!
Rummage RAMPage powered through a rollercoaster of temperatures, and our dedicated club members rose to the challenge! Despite scorching heat, refreshing rain, and everything in between, we worked together to make a difference. Ten incredible Altrusa members volunteered their time, energy, and expertise to sort, clean, carry, organize, greet, and direct traffic - all to make a meaningful impact. Over the past decade, Rummage RAMPage has grown into a thriving community-driven initiative, held in a city parking ramp, where locals donate gently-used items to support a massive garage sale over an eight day sale. The sale coincides perfectly with the back-to-school season, crossing over the time people need to move out of their home and/or wait a week before moving into their next home. This is valuable for a college town like Ames. Families are able to set up their new homes at an affordable price by shopping at the Rummage RAMPage. All types of furniture and household items are available for sale. Over 50 varying local nonprofits join forces to work the sale and the proceeds are split among them, fostering a spirit of collaboration and community. Altrusa of Ames will use our portion of the proceeds for Story County high school community service scholarships. 💪🏼🎉
Boys & Girls Club of Story County Art Room Chairs
Grant Received from 2024 Holiday Home Tour
Pictured are members in attendance at our July meeting, held at the Boys and Girls Club of Story County - Ames Campus. We are seated on stools purchased with grant funding provided by our Altrusa Club, raised during our 2024 Holiday Home Tour.
We take pride in supporting local nonprofits as they strive to enhance the quality of life for their constituents in Story County!
Thank you to Holiday Home Tour homeowners and the community for supporting our fundraising efforts.
Touring Boys & Girls Club of Story County
We were honored to be invited for a tour of the The Boys & Girls Clubs of Story County for our July meeting. The Ames location underwent an addition and remodeling last year. Kendra and Sarina were kind enough to show us around. Kendra is explaining the kids daily schedule to us - boy are they kept busy!
The Boys and Girls Club offers:
Safe & affordable quality after school & summer programs for 6-18 year old’s including daily nutritious meals and snacks
Trained, compassionate adult staff guide, coach, & motivate youth to grow & thrive.
Fun and engaging programs and opportunities focused on education, sports and recreation, the arts, health and wellness, workforce readiness, character and leadership.
Altrusa International of Ames is proud to provide grant money from the 2024 Holiday Home Tour ticket sales so the Boys and Girls Club could purchase chairs for their art room.
Celebrating our 50 Year Member
For five decades, Mary Kay has shared her time, talents, and heart with our club and our community. She served as Club President from 2011–2013, has led and supported countless committees and fundraisers, and most recently represented Altrusa with the Ames Patriotic Council, helping organize Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day celebrations.
More than her many accomplishments, Mary Kay has been a mentor to so many, a trusted friend, and an inspiration through her unwavering commitment to service.
Congratulations, Mary Kay, on 50 incredible years of making a difference. Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and friendship. Here’s to an amazing legacy of service!
Active in Altrusa International District Seven
Altrusa of Ames is part of Altrusa International District Seven, which includes clubs from seven central states. We are proud to have one of our members, Deanna Sargent, currently serving as Governor of District Seven. We are also proud of the many members who take active leadership roles within the District and participate in the annual conference.
In May, two delegates, along with the Governor, Parliamentarian, and Secretary, attended the District Seven Conference in Wisconsin. During the conference, Altrusa of Ames received recognition for outstanding community service for our Little Free Library project and was also recognized for the continued growth and addition of new members to our club.
High School Service Scholarships
In May, Altrusa of Ames awarded five $500 scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrated outstanding community service throughout their high school careers. Applications were received from many deserving seniors across Story County, and five exceptional students were selected to receive scholarships in recognition of their dedication and service to their community.
Planting Community Garden
Altrusa of Ames is dedicated to enhancing the beauty of the Ames Community this summer. Since 1996, our organization has annually planted flowers at Inis Grove Park, persevering through challenges posed by insects, deer, rabbits, and other wildlife that threaten our plantings. Each year, we strive to perfect the selection of flora that will thrive throughout the summer and maintain their vibrancy into the fall season. Our garden was planted in mid May.
Our Diaper & Wipes Drive!
Each spring, Altrusa of Ames sponsors a drive to restock our local pantries with diapers and wipes. We collected 6,604 diapers and 8,497 wipes from club members and community during March 2026. Thank you to The Shops at Clark & Main for being a community drop off point for donations. Diapers were distributed to five local pantries and homes for mothers.
Holiday Home Tour Grant Recipients
At our January meeting, we awarded five $2,000 grants from our successful 2025 Holiday Home Tour ticket sales. Five generous homeowners opened their decorated homes for all to enjoy. All proceeds from ticket sales was divided among five local grant recipients:
Ames Community Theater-ACTORS
Cultivating Hope Farms
Food At First
Legal Aid Society of Story County
University Community Childcare
Altrusa of Ames is committed to supporting our local nonprofits so they can continue work that improves the Ames community.
Building Friendships
Our Membership Committee organizes monthly get togethers where we gather to laugh, connect, and lift each other higher-building real friendships that inspire. We support local businesses by meeting in a variety of locations around town. This photo was taken at our June gathering.
Holiday Giving
Spreading joy and hope this holiday season, Altrusa of Ames extended our support for those in need in our community. We donated to our Ames Police program, "Shop With A Cop" plus donated 170 pairs of socks to the Bridge Home (adult socks for homeless support) and Martha's House of Hope (infant and children socks for expectant and new mothers). Pictured are our Membership Committee Co-Chairs, delivering socks to the separate homes.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."