Altrusa Intl. of Coachella Valley
May/June 2026 Newsletter
Leading to a Better Community
We believe that everyone is able to make a positive difference to the world around them. We can each volunteer our time, or donate our money, towards worthy causes. Our individual efforts are small, but they matter.
We can achieve even more when we bring people together. For over 100 years Altrusa clubs have collected members from varying occupations and lifestyles, all sharing an interest in community service.
We enjoy the friendship, fun and satisfaction that comes from working together for the benefit of others. Each club develops a program that is tailored to local needs, undertaking a variety of hands-on service and fundraising projects each year. One of our shared goals as an organization is to improve literacy, which we believe is the key to opportunity.
Through Altrusa activities we develop our leadership skills in a supportive environment. We welcome new ideas and aim to provide enough flexibility so that our members can give their time in a way that works for them.
Message from the President
By Michelle Bell
What a wonderful and inspiring time we shared at the District Eleven Conference in Avondale, Arizona! This year’s theme, Desert Blooms – Growing Through Service, was a perfect reflection of the heart of Altrusa - resilience, growth, and the meaningful impact we create together.
Throughout the conference, I was reminded that even in the most challenging environments, service allows us to flourish. Like desert blooms, we continue to grow, support one another, and bring beauty and purpose to our communities.
It was especially meaningful to see our own Karyme shine on the district stage. Her presentation of the Inspiration at the International Foundation Luncheon was heartfelt and uplifting, beautifully capturing the spirit of service that defines Altrusa.
Adding to the pride of the weekend, Karyme was recognized by International President, Christine DeVlieger, at our closing banquet. A moment that came as a complete surprise and was both emotional and deeply meaningful. It was a beautiful acknowledgment of her dedication and the spirit of service she brings to our club and Altrusa International.
Experiences like this energize and uplift us, reminding us that together, we continue to grow through service in ways that truly make a difference. I am so grateful to be part of this incredible group of leaders and friends.
In Altrusa Spirit,
Michelle
🌟✍️ Update From Our Communications Chair ✍️🌟
Hello everyone!
My name is Karyme, and I normally introduce myself as a senior at California State University, San Bernardino, but I officially graduated this spring with my Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
As your communications chair, I'd like to share some updates on the efforts we have been putting into our community outreach initiatives. For starters, I have begun a podcast series called “Altrusa Talk.” This podcast series focuses on insights from our members and highlights what being part of Altrusa International is all about. Through these conversations, we hope to share personal experiences, inspire others to get involved, and continue spreading awareness about the positive impact Altrusa has within our community.
I also want to share that we are making a change to our newsletter schedule. Moving forward, newsletters will now be distributed quarterly instead of monthly. This change will allow us to provide more updates, highlights, and community news in each edition while continuing to keep everyone informed on our club’s activities and accomplishments.
I will be attaching the podcast episodes down below, and they will also be available on our website. When accessing the audio files, a page may briefly appear indicating that the file is being scanned for viruses. This is a normal security process for audio downloads and should not be a cause for concern.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I hope you enjoy listening to the conversations and learning more about our members' experiences!
Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in Altrusa International District Eleven’s Conference in Avondale, Arizona. As a first-time attendee, it was such a wonderful and memorable experience. I truly enjoyed meeting fellow Altrusans from different clubs and learning more about the impact each group is making within their communities.
During the conference, I also had the honor of presenting an inspirational speech based on what this year’s theme, “Growth Through Service,” means to me as a new member of Altrusa. It was an incredible opportunity to reflect on the importance of service, community involvement, and personal growth through this organization.
Below is my speech outline for anyone who would like to take a look.
Yarn, Friendship & Fun 🧶🪡 🧵
Our Crochet & Knit Club - A place to craft, connect, and spread sunshine through service!
Our June meet up will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Palm Desert Library.
Stitches of Sunshine Yarn Drive
Click on this link for more Information - YARN DRIVE
Every contribution, big or small, helps us spread sunshine throughout our community. To get involved or learn more, visit our website here.
June Service Project - Pride Month Affirmation Cards
These will be distributed at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert in Palm Springs.
Find out more about our services projects here!
Recipe Of the month: Steak Salad 🥩🥗🧅🥒
Steak Salad is a perfect way to start off the summer and is certainly a trending summer salad on social media! 📱
Here are the ingredients 👩🍳:
1lb cooked steak
6 small cucumbers, sliced
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1/2 red onion sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese
Dressing:
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, juiced
🥗 Mix the dressing together in a bowl & toss in your veggies + steak. 🥗
Click down below for the video with instructions 🎥👇
✨😆 Joke of the month 😆✨
Why don’t fish do well in school?
Because they work below sea level.
June Meetings
Stitches of Sunshine Crochet & Knit Club - June 20, 2026 at 10:00am
INTERNATIONAL / DISTRICT ELEVEN
ALTRUSA INTL. OF COACHELLA VALLEY OFFICERS
President - Michelle Bell
Vice President - Gayleen Williams
Secretary - Lydia King
Treasurer - Alice Kluzak
Currently meeting in Rancho Mirage, CA and on Zoom
Altrusa International of Coachella Valley
Email: altrusacoachella@gmail.com
Website: www.altrusacoachellavalley.org
Location: Coachella Valley, CA
Phone: 949-300-5619
Facebook: Altrusa Coachella Valley