COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Altrusa International of Branch County was honored at the 2019 Altrusa International Convention last month with the Mamie L. Bass Award, the highest honor the organization gives for a service project.
The Happy Feet project provides shoes, boots, and socks to underprivileged children, ages one through high school, in Branch County. Now in its 12th year, the club has distributed approximately 4,300 pairs of shoes and boots at a cost of $63,000. This past year the club provided 645 pairs of footwear as well as socks, spending $9,426.96.
The project serves 26 sites including schools and social agencies with the highest users 3-7-year-old children. Children are referred by teachers and social workers, sometimes including special orders for shoes for work, sports, dress, and exceptionally large sizes.
The project committee is headed up by Connie Winbigler with the help of Jan Storrs, Pat Myers, Dola Gleeson, Carol Shiery, and Mary Feller. All other members of the Altrusa club assist through donations and fundraising with the Altrusa Golf Outing and Diamond Raffle.
In addition to the donation of shoes, boots, and socks from the community, Happy Feet funding has been received from the Walmart Distribution Center, Branch County United Way, the Branch County Community Foundation, Rotary, Tractor Supply Company, Honor Credit Union, sororities, book clubs, the Council for Catholic Women, and private donations.
The project also received a major donation from Women Who Care.
Hauska Farm and Home Realty provides storage, supplies and employee assistance.
The Mamie L. Bass Service Award was established by the Altrusa International Board of Directors in July 1963, as a memorial to the first National President of Altrusa to recognize outstanding club achievement in service projects designed to meet specific local needs.
Service projects nominated for the award are judged each year at District Conferences. First-place winners from each District are entered in the competition at the International level.
