Uncategorized – Assistance League

San Jose – Generosity Doesn’t Take a Break

tech11 — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 16:45:25 +0000

The lockdown/pandemic/shelter-in-place/coronavirus shutdown, however one wants to refer to it, did seem to bring the entire nation to a standstill.

But nothing, no not even a pandemic, could bring the generosity of the people to a halt.

Assistance League of San Jose® (ALSJ), a chapter of a nonprofit national organization, has been a recipient of this generosity. Recently, a local Barnes & Noble Bookstore donated 2,335 children’s books to ALSJ. These books were then distributed by ALSJ members to children‘s shelters, to 10 elementary and 3 middle schools in low socio-economic areas, and to the children’s unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. One of the recipients of this generosity sent the following email:

“Dear Assistance League San Jose,
On behalf of the Pediatrics and PICU staff at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, I just wanted to thank you for your generous book donation. We appreciate you choosing to partner with us in positively impacting our patients’ lives. The assortment of books that you recently provided us was perfect for the various populations we serve and we’re sure they will enjoy them! Especially during this difficult time of Covid-19 and the limitations it has brought us all, we are honored that you chose to support our Child Life Program and our services. We couldn’t do this without you. We hope in the future you will keep us in mind for future book drop-offs, as we were so grateful to receive this past one.
Thanks again for your generosity and your friendship!”

Safeway Inc. donated $3,000 to the ALSJ Readers Are Leaders Program. The presentation of the donation was made at a local supermarket reopening celebration. These funds will be used to purchase books for classroom teachers and for children as they wait for the return of in-person learning.

JOANN’s Fabric honored the ALSJ Caring Hands Program with a $100 Handmade Hero Award. The award with the annotation, “thank you for continuing to inspire and help your community using your hands, hearts and minds” could not be a more appropriate acknowledgment to describe the unique, creative and amazing layettes that the ALSJ members crochet/knit every month and donate to the new born babies at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

Assistance League of San Jose would not be able to perform all their much-needed community services if it were not for the generosity of the corporations mentioned above and others. Thus, from their “productive hands, compassionate hearts and active minds” ALSJ members thank you!

Riverside – Assistance League Hosts Blood Drive

tech11 — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 19:59:39 +0000

Assistance League of Riverside has arranged the blood drive in honor of the birthday of Anne Banning, a founding member of the first Assistance League in 1919. Banning believed every person should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race or creed, and that social welfare should be local, voluntary and personal.

Assistance League of Riverside members host LifeStream blood drive from left, Chris Jensen, former president of Assistance League of Riverside; Margie Balliod, chairman of the blood drive committee; Nancy Best; and Lynn Fumey.

Sierra Foothills – Carol Kovak awarded the Anne Banning Leadership Award

tech11 — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 18:56:03 +0000

Carol Kovak was celebrated by Assistance League of Sierra Foothills members for her leadership and kindness.

Assistance League Sierra Foothills held its first Zoom meeting of the year Jan. 27, during which Carol Kovak, a well-deserving member who has held several leadership positions in the organization, was awarded the Anne Banning Leadership Award for her exemplary contributions.
The Anne Banning Leadership Award is named for Anne Banning, founder of Assistance League.

he award demonstrates the importance of leadership to the chapter and communicates the accomplishments and dedication of the recipient.

The first to congratulate the recipient was current President Vera Doettling, who praised Kovak’s skills as an efficient, innovative, inclusive and superior teacher.

Other members spoke of Kovak’s professionalism, ability to lead by example and quickness to do whatever is asked of her. Her kindness in being a mentor to many and always being available to answer questions and give advice were other examples given of her leadership skills.

Kovak is a past president of Assistance League Sierra Foothills. She currently serves an important and innovative role for the chapter as technology chairman and parliamentarian.

Inland North County – Assistance League donates $20,000 for food to Interfaith Community Services

tech11 — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:38:30 +0000

From left, Veronica Blea, Interfaith’s director of Supportive Services, Diana Chambers, Assistance League of Inland North County’s president and Melinda Jarrell, the League’s VP of Resource Development.

The nonprofit Escondido-based Assistance League of Inland North County donated $20,000 to Interfaith Community Services Food Pantry to help area families in need of food during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The food was ordered and delivered through Walmart over a period of several months.

Chaves County – Assistance League prepares for increase in school needs

tech11 — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:03:41 +0000

With the pending reopening of schools on the hybrid model, Assistance League of Chaves County anticipates an increase in referrals from area schools that have children in need of new clothes appropriate for their classrooms. Operation School Bell has remained well stocked with new clothing, hygiene kits, shoe vouchers, socks, underwear and books for children in grades kindergarten through eighth since the 2020 school year began virtually in August.

According to a press release from the organization, Assistance League appreciates the generous support of many benefactors.

“Financial donors, contributors of items to resell at our Assistance League Thrift Shop, and school personnel referring families in need of our services all help us provide for children in need prepare to succeed in school,” Jean Maley, of the Assistance League of Chaves County, said in an email.

“All students referred to us receive all their items just as in the past,” she said. “But due to COVID-19 and the safety of not only our member volunteers but also our children we serve, we approach dressing a little differently this year. Through specially designed Fitter Forms, we attempt to dress children by assembling their items ahead of time and having the families come by the Assistance League chapter house simply to pick up their filled bags at appointed times.”

The Assisteens Governing Body, pictured, works with the Operation School Bell® Committee on a Saturday, handing out bags of clothes to families with appointments in front of the Assistance League chapter house.

Operation School Bell Chair Dianna Dosher, pictured, and her committee prepare individual bags of new items for drive-by pick up at the Assistance League of Chaves County chapter house.

Klamath Basin – Klamath Falls Subaru and Assistance League honored

tech11 — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 20:22:39 +0000

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – A record number of Subaru retailers posted a total of 446 Love Promise story submissions nationally in November; but Klamath Falls Subaru story submitted by Sherrill Sherwin, Chairman for the Assistance League of the Klamath Basin, rose was announced as one of the top 5 November Love Promise stories in the nation.

The story submitted by Sherwin expressed that Operation School Bell surpassed their goals last year, in part due to the support from Klamath Falls Subaru.

“We are so grateful to Klamath Falls Subaru and their support for Operation School Bell, they have touched so many children as well as their families and made a huge difference in our community,” Sherwin stated. “It would make your heart sing if you could see the faces of these children and the happiness with their new clothes”.

“It is a tremendous honor to be able to support such a wonderful cause that has a direct impact on the lives of local youth,” said Rob Seater, General Manager of Klamath Falls Subaru. “While we are pleased to see our small town story reaching the national level, we are even more excited and proud that our involvement made a difference”.

Through the volunteer efforts of members of the Assistance League of the Klamath Basin, Operation School Bell provides clothing for school-age children in need throughout the entire County.

This year Operation School Bell hopes to clothe 1000 children in the county and Klamath Falls Subaru will continue to support their efforts.

Victor Valley – President of Victor Valley is named Volunteer of the Year!

tech11 — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 20:19:58 +0000

Kathie Bordonaro, President of Assistance League of Victor Valley, stepped in to be President of Assistance League right in the middle of the COVID pandemic! She put together and provided the leadership needed for our organization to get through these difficult times.

Her philanthropic achievements provided the leadership over the past year to ensure our Thrift Shop was COVID compliant with SBC (received our certificate). And, the shop was closed due to pandemic from March through September, we were able to safely reopen. Kathie developed a new way to deliver new clothing for our students in need instead of ordering/purchasing and delivering to the schools to distribute. She implemented our emergency Outreach program to help during this crisis by providing families in need with non-perishable food, diapers, paper goods and other basic necessities and she worked with our grant committee to ensure we were able to apply for all special local and federal grants available to those helping others during COVID.

Kathie not only led these major accomplishments, but was hands-on involved in shopping for the clothes, distributing, purchasing food for our Holiday Family Feast Bags, attending all committee meetings, conducting chapter business, working with the schools to ensure we were meeting their needs, and contributing over 30 hours a week in these volunteering activities! Kathie is a prime example of what putting yourself above others is all about and serves as a model to all of us at Assistance League of Victor Valley.

Boise – Kuna students receive new clothes, shoes, toiletries through Operation School Bell

tempadmin — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 00:33:43 +0000

Forty-eight elementary school students are waiting to go shopping.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students from Ross Elementary School are seated at long plastic tables with board games, Legos and other amusements as they wait for their name to be called.

About four students at a time are called. They walk with a volunteer, one-on-one, into a warehouse room, where brand new jackets, T-shirts, jeans, hats, underwear and more are stocked, like in a department store. Each student gets to pick out, try on, and take home almost $200 worth of new clothes, new shoes, and a bag of toiletries — a toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo. They don’t have to pay the $200.

This is Operation School Bell^®, a nonprofit program put on by local volunteers as part of Assistance League of Boise.

“It is such a tremendous economic help to families,” said Jeff Harry, a social worker at Ross Elementary School. “We kind of told the kids when they got on the bus, not very often in your life do strangers give you something of such economic value with really no strings attached, just out of giving and kindness. … It makes a significant difference to be able to get those basic clothing items, especially going into the winter.”

Harry has been a part of bringing Kuna students to Operation School Bell for about 10 years. Over the past few years, about 425 Kuna elementary school students have been bused to the Boise philanthropic center to pick out their clothes and other essentials. The program provides these items to a percentage of elementary school students receiving free and reduced-cost lunches.

In Kuna, about 800 elementary school students receive free and reduced-cost lunches. That’s about a third of the total number of elementary school students; about 32% of the entire school district enrollment receives free and reduced-cost lunches.

Harry has seen the number of students he takes to Operation School Bell increase over his 10 years with the school district. After the recession, as the economy improved, Assistance League of Boise was able to help more students, he said. Higher enrollment in the school district has also contributed to how many Kuna students participate.

“They’re pretty familiar with the change and growth in Kuna,” Harry said about Assistance League of Boise.

Harry said students are suggested by teachers to participate in Operation School Bell. Harry and the teachers do not know who receives free and reduced-cost lunches, so selecting students is a bit of guess-work. But Harry has faith in the teachers’ suggestions

“There’s a lot of hidden poverty in Kuna,” Harry said. “There’s people that rent and don’t have much money, both parents are working and something happens and somebody’s out of a job … they’re in a world of hurt then.”

HOW DOES OPERATION SCHOOL BELL HELP?

New clothes, shoes and toiletries are purchased from partnering stores. Fred Meyer is the primary partner for Assistance League of Boise.

Assistance League of Boise raises money to purchase the items, mainly through its volunteer-run Thrift Shop on Glenwood Street in Garden City, various donations and grants. Last year these efforts raised almost $695,000, according to the website. About 80% of funds raised goes back into the community through programs. The rest goes to “keeping the lights on” and some operational supplies.

Through Operation School Bell, students from Kuna and other Ada County schools receive the following items:

Two pairs of jeans or sweatpants

Winter coat

Sweatshirt

Two T-shirts

Six pairs of underwear

Six pairs of socks

Personal care kit containing toiletries

Pair of shoes

Book of their choice

Gloves and handmade hats, when available.

Last year Operation School Bell provided these items to 3,656 students. This year it is on track to help 3,700, including 400 Kuna students.

“We’re such a good-kept secret, which is awful,” Oliver said. “We’re trying to do more promotion all the time, but most of the time we’ve been pretty self-centered here, right here, taking care of kids. We’re asking people to donate to what we consider cause. The need is definitely there.”

Assistance League of Boise has six other programs available to Ada County students and families:

Baby Bundles: a partnership with local hospitals to provide a backpack full of items for infants.

History in the Bown House: a tour and demonstrations of Idaho living in the 1800s.

Cinderella’s Closet: prom dresses and tuxedos for students to rent.

Empowering Youth: giving youth who have aged out of the foster care system household items for independent living.

Operation School Supplies: boxes of assorted school supplies for teachers and students.

Project Hearing: giving hearing aids to qualifying adults.

This is different from the national organization, which focuses on Operation School Bell and Operation School Supplies.

Assistance League of Boise, with a branch in Canyon County, is the only chapter of the organization in Idaho. Boise’s chapter was started almost 40 years ago, and Canyon County just had its first Operation School Bell this May.

“If you ever want to make a difference, this is it,” Oliver said. “We have committees that are just bullish about doing it right. I love their passion.”

Los Angeles – Celebrates 100 Years of Service at DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY GALA Spectacular Centennial Gala with 500 Attendees at Paramount Pictures Studios

tempadmin — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 23:03:52 +0000

Assistance League of Los Angeles celebrated 100 years of service in the Los Angeles community on Saturday evening, October 12th, 2019, at the DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY GALA – A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, presented by Hasbro and held at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood. Additional sponsors included Paramount, Viacom, eOne, Saban Entertainment, and Nickelodeon, among others.

500 guests were on hand to honor both current and past members of the League, and to celebrate their century of volunteer service. Attendees included leaders from Hasbro, Paramount, eOne, Nickelodeon, CBS Television Network, Paul Mitchell, BeatDapp, American Business Bank, the Los Angeles Police Department, as well as fashion designer Kevan Hall, actors Colin Hanks and Maria Elisa Camargo, and many other notable Angelenos.

The evening kicked off with a champagne reception and silent auction at the beautiful Paramount Theater. Guests bid on items ranging from hotel stays and trips to one-of-a-kind dining experiences and many other items, including wine and restaurant packages. Thanks to the night’s presenting sponsor, global play and entertainment company, Hasbro; VIP guests were treated to a special appearance by TRANSFORMERS character OPTIMUS PRIME while they enjoyed bespoke cocktails.

During the plated dinner, guests watched the world premiere of a short film highlighting the chapter’s activities over the last century. The 100-year legacy in Los Angeles is closely tied to the entertainment community. For several decades beginning in the 1920s, the League’s early pioneers operated a film locations bureau to fund their service projects, and for many years, the Assistance League Tea Room was a lunch hotspot for members and Hollywood stars including Mary Pickford, Shirley Temple, Jean Harlow, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, Joseph Cotton, Orson Welles and many others.

Taking the stage, Jim Gianopulos, CEO, Paramount Pictures, spoke about the triangular partnership between Paramount Pictures, Hasbro and Assistance League of Los Angeles as he helped Board President Kathy Balzer honor Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner with the Assistance League of Los Angeles Hero Award. The evening concluded with a stunning performance by Grammy, Tony and Emmy nominee and Platinum recording artist Vanessa Williams, a supporter of the League’s mission and long history in Los Angeles.

“Hasbro is grateful to have the opportunity to support the incredible work that Assistance League of Los Angeles does to improve the lives of thousands of children in the local community each year,” said Brian Goldner, Chairman and CEO, Hasbro, Inc. “While we are deeply honored to receive their Hero Award, the true heroes are the dedicated members of Assistance League of Los Angeles for making the world a better place for children and their families for 100 years.”

Launched by a small group of women in 1919, Assistance League of Los Angeles has directly supported millions of children and families in Los Angeles over the last 100 years. The chapter’s programs, Operation School Bell^®, Foster Children’s Resource Center, Preschool Learning Center, Theater for Children Program and Apt. 3C Bright Future Scholarship Program, serve 22,000 homeless, foster or impoverished children every year. League programs provide clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, arts enrichment, preschool education and college funding for some of LA’s most vulnerable children.

“We honor the important and life-changing work of all members – past and present – this evening,” said Melanie Merians, Assistance League of Los Angeles CEO. “We are so proud of the accomplishments of the last 100 years, and of the tireless devotion to service our volunteer members give to help those less fortunate in our community. With more than 17,000 children in the Los Angeles Unified School District designated homeless, and 30,000 children in the foster system, the need, and the urgent mission continues, and our work does not stop.”

About Assistance League of Los Angeles

For 100 years, Assistance League of Los Angeles has improved the quality of life for disadvantaged youth in Los Angeles. The chapter’s programs remove barriers to education for thousands of underserved and impoverished Los Angeles youth, providing education, shoes, clothing, books and an introduction to the arts. Assistance League of Los Angeles currently serves 22,000 homeless, foster or impoverished children annually. For more information, visit http://www.assistanceleaguela.org.

Back to School

tempadmin — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 20:37:35 +0000

Across the country children, parents, grandparents, teachers, and many others are thinking about the beginning of the new school year. Vacations are a memory and it’s time to visit an Assistance League Thrift Shop where you can stretch your money and make it go a long way.

Remember that students of all ages can find what they need in thrift shops. The shop may have furniture, housewares, and other items that are perfect for that student who just graduated, is moving away from home, and needs to furnish a first apartment. An example of a thrift shop that has these things is Assistance League of Georgetown Area.

If the shop has children’s clothes, and school supplies such as backpacks, take the children with you, and let them know how much each of them has to spend. This can be a good lesson in budgeting and economics. Assistance League of Kansas City’s store is one place that has children’s clothing and school supplies

Another place children have an opportunity to learn budgeting is through Operation School Bell^®. Whether your chapter partners with JCPenney, Target, Walmart, another retailer, or you provide clothing in-house, children see how far the money goes.

Any day is a great day to buy what you need in the Assistance League Thrift Shop near you. Here are some tips to make your shopping trip a success.

Take a friend with you.
Prepare a list of the things that you want to buy in the thrift shop before you go.
When buying in thrift shops, you will find many things with unknown labels or those that aren’t famous, but don’t ignore these items. Remember to prioritize, quality is important.

Each of our thrift shops is unique. Check out the one near you today. Click here to search for the one nearest you!