Altrusa of Fayetteville, Arkansas

Organized in 1939, Altrusa International of Fayetteville was the second Altrusa club organized in Arkansas. There were nine charter members and Sue Garrett Keller served as the first President of the club. The first service project was the Community Playhouse which operated for four seasons and was discontinued because of World War II. The proceeds from the playhouse were presented to the Theater Arts Department of the University of Arkansas to establish a scholarship fund for outstanding students in the theater arts.

Altrusa organized and sponsored the first blood bank in Arkansas, aided in providing tennis courts at the City Park, established the "Story Telling Hour" at the City Library and made a contribution to the Roberta Fulbright Library in her honor. Mrs. Fulbright was a member of Altrusa.

The largest service project and one that is currently ongoing was the establishment of the Fayetteville Youth Dental Program in 1959. With the cooperation of the Fayetteville school system, local dentists and many volunteer hours on the part of Altrusans, all children enrolled in the Fayetteville Public Schools are given dental examinations and those who cannot afford dental care are given such care through this program. Today, Altrusa still provides funds for major equipment purchases and supplies. In 1967 Altrusa International, Inc. of Fayetteville received the District Eight Service Award and at the International Convention, the coveted Mamie L. Bass Award for Service, for this project.

On September 28, 1987, President Pat Moore convened a committee to explore the possibility of establishing a local Altrusa Foundation. It was agreed that the establishment of a Foundation would be beneficial and a committee was named to study and write a constitution. Bobbie Nell Templeton was appointed as committee chair. In February 1990 the Foundation became a reality. The purpose of the Altrusa International of Fayetteville Foundation is to manage the club's service project funds. The Foundation, on behalf of the club, makes and awards donations, scholarships, grants, and/or gifts, exclusively for charitable, educational, literary or scientific purposes. All gifts made to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

Altrusa International of Fayetteville is a dynamic service organization with more than eighty members dedicated to improving their community.

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