ASTRA
ASTRA Club of Allan Hancock College
Sponsored by Altrusa International Inc. of Santa Maria, the ASTRA Club formed in October 2018, and received its official Charter on November 1, 2018. During its formation period, Club members coordinated an impressive service project repertoire including Caramel Apple Fundraiser Club Rush, Cup of Noodles Giveaway, Longest Night Vigil Clothing Drive, Bulldog Bow Wow, Valentine's Bake Sale, Good Samaritan Breakfast, Women's Day Event Photo Booth, ASTRA Open House Event, Earth Day Event, Mother's Day Fundraiser, and Blaze Pizza Fundraiser.
Observing a need in the homeless population, this ASTRA club chose to plan, host, and serve a breakfast at the Good Samaritan homeless shelter in Santa Maria. They were prepared to serve 100-150 men, women and children by 7:30 a.m. The short term effects of the project were that people were fed and warm that morning. The long term effect is that this new Club now has a connection with the shelter and the people there so they can come back and serve them again, motivating others to volunteer their time.
ASTRA Clubs are open to youth ages 12 through 25 who have a desire to strengthen their leadership skills and develop their talents. Through various service and fellowship activities, ASTRA members learn the value of giving back to their communities through interaction with the business, professional, and civic leaders who are members of the sponsoring Altrusa Club.
Altrusa International (www.altrusa.org) is a community service organization that espouses volunteerism, service and fights for literacy. Assistance is given to projects emphasizing literacy through its nonprofit Foundation.
ASTRA-an acronym formed from:
A=Ability - To know that all of us have special talents to share with others
S=Service - To Improve the lives of those less fortunate in the community
T=Training - To develop leadership ability and potential
R=Responsibility - To learn to accept obligations and know the satisfaction of carrying projects through to a successful conclusion
A=Achievement - To experience success, to know that a group can accomplish so much more than any one individual
ASTRA Club at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria
800 S College Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454