Altrusa International of Greenwood is promoting literacy on Oct. 31 with a spooky story time at the Greenwood-Leflore Public Library.
The event, which was originally scheduled for Saturday but has been moved to Halloween day, is an Altrusa community service project to celebrate national Make A Difference Day.
Several of the organization’s members will read Halloween-themed stories at the Greenwood-Leflore Public Library from 9 a.m. to noon.
Make A Difference Day highlights neighbors helping neighbors, improving the lives of others and aims to inspire good deeds year round.
“This is just a way to get involved, promote literacy and have a good time,” said Loretta Assini, Altrusa treasurer and member of the organization’s literacy committee.
The library is providing age-appropriate books, and members will read spooky stories based on true events to older children. Different Altrusa members will come in to read in 30-minute increments throughout the morning.
Any good deed is encouraged on Make A Difference Day, but Altrusa focuses on promoting literacy in the community.
“Reading to children gives them a love of reading, which hopefully instills a desire in them to read,” said Assini.
In the past on Make a Difference Day, Altrusa has donated book carts, children’s board books and large-print books to Greenwood Leflore Hospital and Golden Age Nursing Home.
“This year, we decided to do something different,” said Assini. “Again it’s with literacy, but we thought it would be a nice change and opportunity to get out and work with the kids.”
Also, the first Mississippi Day of Giving will be held this Saturday. The event highlights the state’s spirit of philanthropy and encourages helping local nonprofit organizations.
To donate to Greenwood-area nonprofits on the Day of Caring, visit www.msdayofgiving.org. Some of the participating local organizations Mississippians can donate to at the website are the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta, the Salvation Army, the Leflore County Health Center, Greenwood Little Theatre, the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation and Mississippi Valley State University.
For more information on Make A Difference Day, visit www.makeadifferenceday.com.
•Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
