SANFORD — They can be found volunteering to serve meals at the Momma Mia Friday night supper at York County Shelter Programs in Alfred, or at the annual apple festival there in September. Sometimes, members of Sanford Springvale Altrusa can be found at the Sanford Mainers baseball games, volunteering at the concession stand.

If they’re not giving of their time in those hands-on sort of ways, they give in others ways too, members recently noted, through an array of scholarships, and to a number of causes. They contribute to such efforts like the Stuff the Bus campaign that purchases school supplies for children, and helping Caring Unlimited, the nonprofit agency that assists those coping with domestic violence. The group has supported Ryan’s House for homeless young people in MSAD 60, and purchased a seat at the new Sanford Performing Arts Center.

They help keep three of Sanford’s Little Free Libraries stocked with books.

And now, the Sanford Springvale Altrusa Club, 15 members strong, is looking for new members to help make a difference in the community.

Altrusa International was founded in Nashville, Tennessee. in 1917, originally as Altrusa Institute. The Sanford Springvale club was chartered 30 years ago.

Claire Creteau joined 29 years ago – she’d been asked to join the previous year, when the club was first formed in the community, but at that time she was president of the Maine Professional Photographers Association and had a full plate. A year later, she eagerly joined Altrusa, whose motto is “leading to a better community.”

“I was looking to do something worthwhile,” said Creteau.

Thea Murphy, in her second term as president, joined about six years ago, and said Altrusa is a hands-on group.

“It is made up of people who live and work and know the (community) needs,” said Murphy, who had a specific reason for joining. “I feel strongly about community service,” she said

The Sanford Springvale Altrusa chapter is one of three in York County – the others are in Biddeford-Saco, and the Seacoast Altrusa group, which includes members from the southern portion of York County.

There are two more clubs in Maine, according to the Altrusa website – one in Bangor and another in Portland.

The Sanford Springvale group meets  at 6 p.m. at the Trafton Center on Elm Street, on the first and third Wednesday of the month. The first meeting is all business, where members discuss upcoming projects and fundraising efforts, and the second involves a program.

“We’re a very open group; we share a lot,” said Murphy.

Altrusa supports the community – and the members also support each other, in good times and bad, the women noted.

Creteau said members hail from different walks of life; many are now retired, others are continuing their careers.

They share a common mission, Murphy said.

“We all care about the community and want it to be better,” she said.

Those interested in joining Altrusa may email Murphy for more information at: theacurves@metrocast.net.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.