On Jan. 5th the Altrusa club of Bentonville/Bella Vista delivered 13 sets of alphabet, phonics and phonemic awareness activity tubs, one for each classroom, to the Tennie Russell Primary School, a school for disadvantaged four year olds in the Bentonville School District,. They were purchased with a $1,600 grant from the Altrusa International Foundation as well as local club funds. These blocks will help students develop reading readiness skills.

For Christmas the club also gave each of the 260 students the gift of a new book and a "Reading Buddy" in the form of a small stuffed animal such as a Beanie Baby. The Reading Buddy" program was started by the club as part of their program to go to the school and read to the children several days a week. The students look forward to seeing the "Altrusa Ladies" at reading time. The ladies get their Grandma fix as the children climb up on their laps, Reading Buddy in hand, to be read to.

Katy Henkel, Altrusa Club President, said that grants of $250-$2,000 are given to improve the economic well-being and quality of life through the Foundation's commitment to community service and literacy.

Its sole purpose is to be an avenue through which Altrusans can assist Altrusa Clubs and other worthy organizations, throughout the world, to carry out their programs of community service and assistance to those in need.

Information about the Altrusa Club of Bentonville/Bella Vista may be obtained by calling Katy Henkel, 479-876-6121.