The Glendale Assistance League’s 75th anniversary is celebrated by, from left, President Marcie Haug, City Councilwoman Paula Devine and Event Chair Judy Rogers. (Ruth Sowby Rands / Glendale News-Press)
“Assistance League of Glendale is the best kept secret in town,” said Marcie Haug, president of the organization.
A jewel in Glendale’s crown of charities, the league has been serving the community for 75 years. This past Sunday, more than 100 league members and supporters packed the Chapter House to acknowledge the league’s anniversary as well as the Chapter House’s designation as a Glendale historic resource.
Historic Resource #123 is the 1928 Tudor Revival-style building that has housed the league since 2002. The earlier owner was the Kiefer & Eyerick Mortuary. Twenty-two members of the Kiefer family were present to celebrate the historic designation of their former building designed by Alfred F. Priest.
The mortuary operated in the building for 75 years, before the league bought it.
Along with other members of the Kiefer family, John Kiefer and his sister Jo Ann Kiefer took a tour of the Chapter House.
“It looks just the same, except for the kitchen. That was our embalming room,” John Keifer said.
According to Judy Cabrera, publicity chairwoman, “Some people get freaked out about that”.
Today, the league’s kitchen was manned by culinary arts students from Glendale Community College. League members paid the college for its catering services.
As supporters enjoyed the savory appetizers made by the students, the afternoon program featured the unveiling of a plaque from the Glendale Historic Preservation Commission. It will be installed on the wall next to the league’s entry gate.
Also present were field representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) and state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge). Both recognized the league’s 75-year dedication to the community.
In Glendale, more than 600 elementary school children are given clothes and backpacks through the league’s “Operation School Bell®” program every year.
“Authors and Illustrators Day” has introduced 4,000 school students to the love of reading. The league also gives scholarships to worthy Glendale high school students.
These programs are primarily funded by the league’s thrift shop, located in the Chapter House, 314 E. Harvard St., Glendale.
