Altrusa Int’l of Yaquina Bay: Giving students something to smile about
By Andy Taylor
What are students smiling about, you
ask? Dental supplies!
Every school year, Altrusa Interna-
tional of Yaquina Bay collects the funds
and supplies to assemble about 3,100 den-
tal supply kits that are then distributed to
all schools in the Lincoln County School
District to grades K-6. Now that’s a lot of
bright smiles and happy kids.
On top of that they raise the funds for
several other programs, including Project
School Bell, the Inspired Writers Project
and a scholarship program.
In 2018, Altr usa Inter national
received $4,000 from the Siletz Tribal
Charitable Contribution Fund to sup-
port Project School Bell and $2,200 for
supplies and paperback books for the
Inspired Writers Project for sixth-graders
in Siletz, Toledo, Newport, Lincoln City
and Waldport.
In 2017, the organization also received
$2,200 for the Inspired Writers Project,
$4,000 for Project School Bell and $3,500
for dental kits for the Something to Smile
About dental education program. Overall,
Altrusa International of Yaquina Bay has
received $65,330 since 2007.
A favorite around the school district is
Project School Bell. This provides emer-
gency supplies to schools in Newport,
Toledo, Waldport, Eddyville and Siletz.
This includes emergency clothing and
hygiene supplies that help needy kids.
School officials indicate what kinds of
clothing or items they need twice annually
and Altrusa does its best to meet the needs.
Angela Nebel, president of the local
Altrusa district, said, “Altrusa Interna-
tional of Yaquina Bay is dedicated to
improving the lives of women and children
in Lincoln County through projects related
to literacy, social and health services, and
educational opportunities.”
The Yaquina Bay club was chartered
in 1982 and is a member club organized
under Altrusa International, an organiza-
tion formed in 1917.
“Currently, we have 25 members that
are contributing to services and they’re
always looking for more,” said Nebel.
Altrusa International’s Vision State-
ment: Altrusa will be a leader among
International organizations by improving
communities worldwide through a mem-
bership network.
Altrusa International’s Mission State-
ment: To provide support to local clubs
and the International organization by
encouraging service, stimulating growth,
communicating information and promot-
ing leadership.
Sophie Cottrell is in the fifth grade at
Sam Case Elementary in Newport. Her
favorite subjects in school are social stud-
ies and math. She agreed the dental kits
were great for a couple of reasons.
“I think that the packs are great
because there are kids who can’t afford
that, having a toothbrush is really impor-
tant to have,” she said.
Cottrell also mentioned that “the floss
is my favorite part. Sometimes when I
can’t find what I have at home, I just go to
my pack and pull out one they gave me.
They’re really nice to have.”
She was excited to know the dental
kits are distributed throughout the Lincoln
County School District.
Jordan Ingals, also in fifth grade at
Same Case, said his favorite thing to do at
school is go to recess and play basketball.
He said he enjoys the dental kits because,
“I love the floss in them because they’re
cool. I don’t have any floss at my house
and I just like to use it.”
He also said he thinks the kits are
great because, “Some kids may have a
toothbrush but won’t have toothpaste or
floss, or maybe they don’t have any of those
For more information about the Siletz Tribe, please visit ctsi.nsn.us.
Siletz Tribal
Behavioral Health
Programs
Prevention, Outpatient Treatment,
and Women’s and Men’s
Transitional
Siletz: 800-600-5599 or
541-444-8286
Eugene: 541-484-4234
CEDARR
Community Efforts
Demonstrating the Ability to
Rebuild and Restore
Photos by Andy Taylor
Jordan Ingals and Sophie Cottrell hold packages of dental supplies.
A close-up look at the dental supply kits
things at home and giving this to them will
help them without making them feel sad.”
If you haven’t thanked an Altrusa
member by now, you probably should for
the 36 years they’ve been contributing to
the entire county. Visit Altrusa Interna-
tional of Yaquina Bay on Facebook for
more information.
Siletz Community Dental Clinic
Contact the Siletz Community Dental Clinic if you experience dental pain or a
dental emergency. Staff will do everything they can to see you as soon as possible.
Morning check-in time is Monday-Thursday from 8:15-8:45 a.m. and Friday
from 9-9:30 a.m.
Afternoon check-in time is Monday-Friday from 1:30-2 p.m.
Mission Statement
We will utilize resources to prevent
the use of alcohol and other drugs,
delinquency and violence; we
will seek to reduce the barriers to
treatment and support those who
choose abstinance.
Salem: 503-390-9494
Portland: 503-238-1512
Narcotics Anonymous Toll-Free
Help Line – 877-233-4287
Aug. 7 • Noon
For information on Alcoholics
Anonymous: aa-oregon.org
Siletz Community Health Clinic
200 Gwee-Shut Road, Siletz
August 2019
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