{"id":3030,"date":"2016-02-09T11:48:28","date_gmt":"2016-02-09T18:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/?page_id=3030"},"modified":"2025-05-12T16:10:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T23:10:23","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/about-us\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

EXPLORE OUR HISTORY…<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

1989<\/h4>\n

Seven women formed a service organization dedicated to helping vulnerable children and adults in their community.<\/p>\n

1991<\/h4>\n

Operation School Bell\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0began and provided clothing to 30 school children in its inaugural year.<\/p>\n

Breakfast with Santa began to provide a special breakfast to local foster children and their families.<\/p>\n

1992<\/h4>\n

Senior Caring was added as a program to serve low-income seniors.<\/p>\n

1993<\/h4>\n

Assistance League of Bend was officially chartered as the 92nd chapter of Assistance League.<\/p>\n

The Chapter House was purchased.<\/p>\n

1995<\/h4>\n

Kitchen Kaleidoscope began as a signature fundraiser.<\/p>\n

Cottage Collectibles, a thrift shop, began to provide additional funding.<\/p>\n

Festival of Trees began as a major annual fundraiser.<\/p>\n

1997<\/h4>\n

Hats, Hats, Hats was introduced to provide handmade hats to chemo patients.<\/p>\n

2001<\/h4>\n

Assistance League of Bend\u00a0formed an Advisory Council in the Spring of 2001.<\/p>\n

2002<\/h4>\n

Assistance League of Bend became a \u201c21 Cares for Kids\u201d partner.<\/p>\n

2003<\/h4>\n

These Kids are Cookin\u2019 began to promote healthy eating to low-income elementary students.<\/p>\n

Be There Be Square, a program that rewards at-risk teens for perfect attendance at the alternative high school, began.<\/p>\n

2007<\/h4>\n

A major expansion of the Chapter House remodeled the existing chapter house and added on to accommodate dressing students in need for Operation School Bell.<\/p>\n

2009<\/h4>\n

Operation School Bell dressing was moved from the chapter house to a local retail store.<\/p>\n

2010<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Combined Communications became a media partner.<\/p>\n

2015<\/h4>\n

My Life Story Books was introduced to provide hand-crafted memory books for foster children.<\/p>\n

2018<\/h4>\n

Cinderella\u2019s Closet opens to provide prom dresses to local teens who would be otherwise unable to attend their school prom due to lack of appropriate clothing.<\/p>\n

2020<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The novel COVID-19 virus became a worldwide pandemic in March of 2020.\u00a0 Assistance League of Bend continued to adapt to meet the changing needs in our community.\u00a0 In the beginning we provided personal protective equipment for health care workers, sewing masks and emergency room hats, when there were large shortages. We surveyed the community to access the greatest needs for children and families as they navigated the challenges of distance learning. To address these needs we distributed warm clothes and age-appropriate books to children in need at pop-ups throughout Deschutes County. In addition, we provided tutoring scholarships for children that needed extra help with their schoolwork. Our in-person fundraisers had to be canceled. In response, we launched a successful multi-platform marketing campaign to raise money to support our programs entitled “I Need Clothes”.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

Therapeutic Lavender Pillow Project added to Hars & More (formerly Hats, Hats, Hats). Each pillow is crafted with care by dedicated members and volunteers, who lovingly harvest lavender, sew, and fill each casing. The result is a handmade product that delivers warmth, relief, and a sense of calm.<\/p>\n

2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Raise a Glass for the Kids finally made its debut as our primary fundraiser in September at the Tetherow Event Pavillion afer being canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic. \u00a0The evening was a resounding success, filled with exciting live auction items, delectable appetizers, inspiring stories, and live entertainment. We hope to make this an annual event in lieu of the Holiday Gala.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

CHARTER MEMBERS<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]Lois Battleson<\/p>\n

BJ deGruchy<\/p>\n

Jill Ergenbright<\/p>\n

Joanne Gehlert<\/p>\n

Ann Hamilton<\/p>\n

Marj Johnson<\/p>\n

Chris Lovlien<\/p>\n

Linda Moore<\/p>\n

Marci Olson<\/p>\n

Marilyn Peterson<\/p>\n

Shari Schneider<\/p>\n

Char Weichman[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_single_image image=”4619″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

PAST PRESIDENTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_column_text css=””]2023-2025<\/p>\n

2022-2023<\/p>\n

2020-2022<\/p>\n

2019-2020<\/p>\n

2017-2019<\/p>\n

2016-2017<\/p>\n

2015-2016<\/p>\n

2014-2015<\/p>\n

2012-2014<\/p>\n

2012-2012<\/p>\n

2011-2012<\/p>\n

2009-2011<\/p>\n

2008-2009<\/p>\n

2007-2008<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_column_text css=””]Janet Martin<\/p>\n

Gia Hartmeier<\/p>\n

Deanna Craig<\/p>\n

Susan Misner<\/p>\n

Beverly Adler<\/p>\n

Joan Craig<\/p>\n

Anita Saalfeld<\/p>\n

Gia Hartmeier<\/p>\n

Nancy Martin<\/p>\n

Carolyn Blake<\/p>\n

Connie Dean<\/p>\n

Marti Sheppard<\/p>\n

Jamie Gunderson<\/p>\n

Deanna Ritchie[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_column_text]2005-2007<\/p>\n

2003-2005<\/p>\n

2001-2003<\/p>\n

2000-2001<\/p>\n

1999-2000<\/p>\n

1998-1999<\/p>\n

1997-1998<\/p>\n

1995-1997<\/p>\n

1994-1995<\/p>\n

1993-1994<\/p>\n

1991-1993<\/p>\n

1989-1991<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_col-xs-6″][vc_column_text]Joan Craig<\/p>\n

Suzanne Browning<\/p>\n

Stacy Luersen<\/p>\n

BJ deGruchy<\/p>\n

Lenore Groat<\/p>\n

Dorothy Dougherty<\/p>\n

Judy Roth<\/p>\n

Polly LePore<\/p>\n

Linda Moore<\/p>\n

Char Weichman<\/p>\n

Marci Olson<\/p>\n

Shari Schneider[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_single_image image=”4635″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

ADA EDWARDS LAUGHLIN AWARD RECIPIENTS<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text css=””]2025<\/p>\n

2024<\/p>\n

2023<\/p>\n

2022<\/p>\n

2021<\/p>\n

2017<\/p>\n

2016<\/p>\n

2015<\/p>\n

2013<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text css=””]Lisa Sarmiento<\/p>\n

Carol Hastings<\/p>\n

Karen Dieckman<\/p>\n

Donna Crandall<\/p>\n

Joan Craig<\/p>\n

Karen Druery<\/p>\n

Rosanne Raley<\/p>\n

Linda Hollemon<\/p>\n

Carolyn Hellmers[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text css=””]2011<\/p>\n

2010<\/p>\n

2008<\/p>\n

2007<\/p>\n

2004<\/p>\n

2000<\/p>\n

1996<\/p>\n

1994<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text css=””]Candace Wimer<\/p>\n

Dorothy Dougherty<\/p>\n

Connie Dean<\/p>\n

Lena Hartshorn<\/p>\n

Nancy Martin<\/p>\n

Jill Ergenbright<\/p>\n

Marci Olson<\/p>\n

Marj Johnson[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_single_image image=”11123″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Lisa Sarmiento, Ada Edwards Laughlin Award 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

ANNE BANNING LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text css=””]2025<\/p>\n

2024<\/p>\n

2023<\/p>\n

2022<\/p>\n

2021[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text css=””]Janet Martin<\/p>\n

Connie Dean<\/p>\n

Marsha Bechtold<\/p>\n

Deanna Craig<\/p>\n

Gia Hartmeier[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_single_image image=”11124″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Janet Martin, Anne Banning Leadership Award 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

PRESIDENT’S AWARD<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]2023<\/p>\n

2015[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]Deanna Craig<\/p>\n

Judy Uriz[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9273″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Deanna Craig, President’s Award 2023[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

NATIONAL OPERATION SCHOOL BELL AWARD RECIPIENTS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”4\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

2023: Erin K. MacDonald, Best Best & Krieger, Attorneys at Law<\/p>\n

2019: Jim and Lezlie McConnell, Light Elegance<\/p>\n

2018: John Voelzow, Pav\u00e9 Fine Jewelry<\/p>\n

2016: Tim and Kathy Garling, Jackalope Grill<\/p>\n

2015: Chris Schroeder-Fain<\/p>\n

2011: The Chackel Family and Ghost Tree Invitational Golf Tournament<\/p>\n

2008: Bob Shaw and News Channel 21<\/p>\n

2007: Jim Norman and Norman Building Design<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/6″][vc_single_image image=”9197″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]Erin K. MacDonald, National Operation School Bell Award 2023[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] EXPLORE OUR HISTORY… 1989 Seven women formed a service organization dedicated to helping vulnerable children and adults in their community. 1991 Operation School Bell\u00ae\u00a0began and provided clothing to 30 school children in its inaugural year. Breakfast with Santa began to provide a special breakfast to local foster children and their families. 1992 Senior […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":708,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3030","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3030"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11126,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3030\/revisions\/11126"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/bend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}