Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Staff Report
Altrusa International of Tucumcari will play host to its annual Cash Party with a “Boots N' Bling,” theme and a chance to win the $15,000 cash prize at 6 p.m., Oct. 24, at the Tucumcari Convention Center.
Attendees to the Cash Party are encouraged to wear their “Boots N' Bling,” to coincide with this year's theme. Proceeds of this event will be used to fund Altrusa community service projects throughout the year.
Tickets to the event are $100; it includes dinner for two and admission into the dance. A total of 300 Cash Party tickets will be sold and the last number drawn will win the $15,000 cash prize. Each 25th number drawn, will also win a door prize.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the dance will feature a live performance by Limited Edition.
Party organizers advise that attendees must present their Cash Party tickets at the door; dinner-only tickets will not be sold this year. Those wishing to attend only the dance may purchase a $10 ticket at 9 p.m., at the door.
“I'm most excited about getting everyone together in the community and having a good time,” said Lois Sappington, Altrusa president. “I also think it's very important that we get together to show support for our community, which has a lot of needs. We all just need to pitch and do whatever we can, not just for the Cash Party, but for all of the service projects that benefit our community.”
Altrusa has used funds raised from the annual Cash Party to help people locally, regionally and nationally. During 2014-2015, Altrusa spent a total of $17,682.16 on various community services projects and programs. Since May of this year, Altrusa members have already completed 1,500 community service hours.
Altrusa supported the following community projects last year, including, but not limited to: the Quay County Home Visiting Program; the Tucumcari Historical Museum; the Tucumcari Hospital Auxiliary; Earth Day and Outdoor Classroom; the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches; Quay County Extension and 4-H; Ronald McDonald Houses; the County 5K Fun Run; and literacy projects with the Quay County Juvenile Detention Center; Tucumcari Library's Summer Reading Program; Eastern Plains Head Start; and college scholarships for five Quay County schools.
This month, Altrusa is also involved in a book drive for its Make A Difference Day Project. The books will be distributed later this month to local senior centers and to the Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital.