Back-to-School and Beyond: Altrusa Volunteers Supporting Literacy Across Tucson
As Tucson classrooms come alive again with the buzz of a new school year, Altrusa International of Tucson’s volunteers are already making plans to support young readers and writers in the months ahead. From preschool lending libraries to neighborhood book exchanges, from community book sales to creative writing contests, Altrusans are committed to building literacy at every stage of life.
Readers Theater at Tully Elementary
At Tully Elementary, Altrusa is preparing to launch a Readers Theater elective class for 3rd graders, where children learn to bring stories and poems to life through voice, expression, and movement. This year’s volunteers include Gail Dent, Elda Lopez, Sheila Hugunin, Ann Banwell, Bonnie McPherson, Marcia Lucas, Margaret Watson, and Elaine Aldrete. Meeting weekly, the program strengthens fluency and builds confidence while helping students discover that reading can be both fun and empowering.
Building the Preschool Library at Tully
Altrusa launched the preschool library at Tully Elementary in 2019, giving the youngest students a place to experience the joy of choosing and checking out books. From the very beginning, Elda Lopez, Marcia Lucas, Sheila Hugunin, and Elaine Wilder have been the four Friday volunteers we count on. Week after week, they make sure preschoolers can select books from the shelves using the classic card-and-pocket system, just like in a traditional library.
Over the summer, Altrusans also prepare new books for the collection, ensuring that the preschool library continues to grow with engaging stories for young readers. When the school year begins, the Friday checkouts resume with two volunteers each in the morning and afternoon, supporting the teachers as the children learn how to explore books in a classroom setting.
Little Free Libraries Across Tucson
Beyond the classroom, Altrusa members also keep stories flowing into neighborhoods through their Little Free Library initiative. Elaine Wilder maintains one at the 22nd Street police department, Gail Dent restocks the boxes at Connor Park and Children’s Memorial Park, Elda Lopez oversees one on Tucson’s southwest side, and Marcia Lucas manages several on the east side, including at a dentist’s office. Plans are also underway to add a new Little Free Library at I Am You 360. Each location offers children and families free access to books, sparking a love of reading wherever they live.
Friends of the Pima County Library Book Sales
Altrusans also volunteer with the Friends of the Pima County Library, helping run monthly book sales that raise money for library programs. Volunteers Marcia Lucas, Elaine Wilder, and Gail Dent are regulars at every sale, with Elaine and Gail taking particular care of the children’s section. Earlier this year, Gail and Elaine also curated a children’s banned books display at one of the sales, adding handwritten notes explaining where and why certain titles had beenchallenged or removed from schools and libraries. From classics like Charlotte’s Web and Bridge to Terabithia to modern series like Harry Potter and Captain Underpants, the display encouraged families to reflect on the importance of access to diverse stories.
Young Authors Contest
One of Altrusa’s signature programs, the Young Authors Contest, continues to inspire creativity across Southern Arizona. This summer, winners of the 2025 preliminary contest were awarded certificates and Dairy Queen gift cards, and their entries now advance to the main Tucson Festival of Books competition. Entries for the 2026 contest are officially open, with winners to be celebrated at the Festival next March at the University of Arizona. Finalists will see their work published in an anthology and receive prizes, including a gift card to the University bookstore.
A Year-Round Commitment
From Readers Theater to preschool lending, from Little Free Libraries to book sales and writing contests, Altrusa International of Tucson is dedicated to promoting literacy in meaningful, hands-on ways. As the school year begins, Altrusans are proud to continue building bridges to learning, one story and one reader at a time.