How to contact Altrusa International
For more information about Altrusa International, go online to http://districtfive.altrusa.org or call 937-277-0465 or email pegmo33@woh.rr.com.
If being a success is being of service to others and enjoying what you do, then Judy Zimmerman is a success.
Residing in the Historic Grafton Hill neighborhood of Dayton and working in the Montgomery County Treasurer’s office as director of finance and investments, Zimmerman looks back to being an Air Force brat, moving frequently, even overseas.
Her parents were always involved in various community activities and encouraged their four children to do the same by knowing their neighbors and participating in local events and volunteering.
Zimmerman has followed in her parent’s footsteps. She continues her commitment to community service through her activities with Altrusa International, a nonprofit club. Being a member since 2009 and a director from 2012-15, she is beginning a term as a Foundation member.
Altrusa supports volunteerism for projects dedicated to community improvement and promotes literacy.
“Altrusa has not been a high-profile organization, and, actually, that might be a good thing,” Zimmerman said. Because, for me, having a personal connection to the success of a project such as: adding books to the week-end back-pack project, or meeting the recipients of our scholarship awards, or seeing the books we donated to the library at Care House, or witnessing the enthusiasm of the folks at the Widow’s Home bingo games means more to me than being involved in a high-profile large-membership organization.
“Being part of Altrusa has reminded me of the importance of service: that the size or extent of the contribution is not the crucial thing — it’s the participation that counts, because everyone brings different gifts or talents and the end result can make a difference to someone.”
Dayton’s Altrusa International chapter was founded in 1917. It began as a women’s organization, but has long since been open to everyone.
“The idea of professional women giving their time and talent back to the community through volunteering is, in my mind, one of the things that allow communities to flourish,” Zimmerman said. “Through Altrusa I have met so many talented, caring women (and men) that I wouldn’t have ordinarily met — people who are in education, health care, law and other professions — and who want to make a difference. Also I have discovered that all of these people are not involved for personal recognition, but rather for the success and achievements of the club as a whole.”
In 1996 Zimmerman received a City of Dayton Community Service award for being involved in many neighborhood projects.
For the past 43 years, Judy Zimmerman has been in financial management beginning in 1972 at Provident Bank’s Trust Investment Department in Cincinnati.
Zimmerman has been on several local boards.
“My (breast) cancer diagnosis in 2009 let me know how many blessings I have. In spite of the chemo/radiation routine I felt so much positive energy from family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, doctors and nurses — and of course my Altrusa friends.” She is cancer free.
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