For more than 30 years, Altrusa International of Tauranga has been quietly making a difference in the community.

The volunteer service club has been serving Tauranga since 1995 through projects focused on literacy, education and practical support.

Newly re-elected president Sandra Bonney said while the club was not widely known, its impact could be found across the city.

“I think one of our biggest challenges is simply that people don’t know who Altrusa is or what we do.”

The club is part of the international Altrusa organisation, which was founded to support professional women in leading community service projects.

Its Tauranga branch has 23 members, who meet regularly to organise fundraisers, volunteer initiatives and community projects.

Members of Altrusa International of Tauranga volunteering on one of the club’s many community projects.

Bonney said literacy was at the heart of the club’s work.

“We know literacy changes lives.”

Members volunteer as reading helpers at Gate Pā School and Merivale School, and provide annual literacy awards to students showing improvement.

Proceeds from the club’s quiz night in March funded new literacy resources for both schools, including reading comprehension sets for Merivale School and phonics kits for junior classrooms at Gate Pā School.

To mark International Literacy Day on September 8, members will visit Merivale School to read Dr Seuss stories before donating the books to students.

Volunteers make homemade shortbread for Christmas, adding a festive touch to Meals on Wheels deliveries.

The club’s work also extends well beyond the classroom.

Members prepare chocolate eggs for Easter and shortbread for Christmas to accompany Meals on Wheels deliveries and make Christmas crackers for children spending the festive season in hospital.

The club also assembles distraction packs filled with books, colouring activities and toys for children whose families are accessing Tauranga Living Without Violence, maintains Otumoetai Plunket Centre gardens, and has provided swimming togs, towels and sanitary product packs to local schools.

“We try to keep our ear to the ground for opportunities where we can help.”

This year, members are also knitting woollen beanies for the Active Hearts Foundation in Nepal, aiming to make at least 50 to be sent overseas.

Members assemble Christmas crackers for children spending the holiday season in hospital.

Bonney said attracting new members was one of the club’s biggest priorities.

“As our membership gets older, we’d love to see younger people come through. They bring fresh ideas, different skills and new energy.

“You meet new people, build friendships, develop new skills and become part of something bigger than yourself.”

Altrusa hopes to continue growing its partnerships, expanding its projects and raising awareness of its work.

“We’re a group of women who enjoy each other’s company.

“But we’re here because we want to make a difference. Even the small projects can have a real impact.”

Zoe Blake is a multimedia journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.