If you need some inspiration for holiday decorating or if you simply want to marvel at some beautiful homes, come to the Twelfth Annual Altrusa Christmas Tour of Homes this Saturday, Dec.13, from noon to 5 p.m. The tour begins at Heritage Park and Gardens, 1004 Helvenston St. SE, Live Oak, where tour participants may tour the historic home, register, and receive their maps. From Heritage Park and Gardens, participants may venture out into the community and tour five selected seasonally decorated homes in the Live Oak area.  

Tickets to the event are $10 each, and may be purchased in advance or at the door. Festive holiday goodies will also be available for purchase. Questions may be directed to Jackie-Jo Joyce, Fundraising Chair, 386-647-7599.

Altrusa is a local civic organization comprised of altruistic women who share the organization’s overarching goal of literacy promotion and the desire to contribute to the community. All proceeds from the Altrusa Christmas Tour of Homes fund community projects for the upcoming year that further these initiatives. Currently, Altrusa members donate their time and money to Vivid Visions, Take Stock in Children, Hospice, Comprehensive Community Services, the Suwannee County School system, the Pregnancy Care Center, the Humane Society, the English as a Second Language program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and the Suwannee River Regional Library system. Altrusa also awards two scholarships to deserving local students each year so that local students can further their higher education goals.  

The Altrusa Tour of Homes Committee Members for 2014 are Jackie-Jo Joyce, Hillary Cannon, Ann Thompson, Betsy Burch, Marlene Giese, and Susan Strang.