“When will the new books be here?” a Plainview Charter Academy Elementary School student eagerly asked after learning that more than 300 new books would soon be on the school library shelves. Members of Assistance League® of Flintridge had organized a book drive for the school, allocating $3,000 to purchase new books for the recently renovated library.
Plainview Elementary librarian Luz Mendieta-Lopez was invited by Assistance League to compile a list of titles that the students would enjoy. The books were then purchased and donated to the school by Assistance League with funds from its Bargain Box Thrift Shop. Located in La Cañada Flintridge, the Bargain Box Thrift Shop is managed and staffed by chapter members. Through the sale of clothing and other items donated by the community, earnings from the thrift shop support the many philanthropic programs of Assistance League of Flintridge and its auxiliaries.
Many chapter members also personally purchased and donated books to the drive.
Assistance League of Flintridge’s gift of books was announced by Plainview Charter Academy Elementary Principal Kenneth L. Johnson at a recent school assembly. Johnson encouraged his students to love books and has arranged for the school library to be open after hours two afternoons each week. Present for the event and representing Assistance League were President Donna Shepherd and the chapter committee for Community Needs Assessment and Outreach, chaired by Linda Gill. Members of the committee include Julie Crum, Mary Mieding, Nana Smith, Maureen Swenson, Lyn Messner and Rosalind Hilton.
The Assistance League of Flintridge Community Needs Assessment & Outreach committee worked closely with Uma Shrivastava, owner of La Cañada Book and Toy Store, to purchase the requested books. Shrivastava provided the books at a generous discount.
Assistance League of Flintridge welcomes new members all year round. For more information, visit the website at ALFlintridge.org or call (818) 790-1328.
New books are presented to the Plainview Charter Academy Elementary School library. Shown from left are ALF committee member Maureen Swenson, chair Linda Gill, school Principal Kenneth Johnson, school librarian Luz Mendieta-Lopez and committee member Lyn Messner.
Marshall and Janice Karlin, participants in the ALF philanthropic program Retired Service Volunteers, insert labels into books, identifying them as donations to the school library by the ALF Make A Difference Day book drive.
