Katie Bordonaro, right, presents Glee Heikes a corsage as the Assistance League of Victor Valley celebrated its 35th anniversary at a luncheon at Spring Valley Country Club in Victorville on Monday. Heikes was the founder of the chapter. [James Quigg, Daily Press]
Held at the Spring Valley Lake Country Club, the Assistance League of Victor Valley celebrated its 35th anniversary of serving the community at its annual installation luncheon while also receiving a $10,000 grant from the Ronald McDonald Foundation.
The group is a nonprofit and nonpolitical organization founded in 1979. It attained chapter status in 1982, making it the 70th chapter of the National Assistance League. The Assistance League is also known for giving time and effort to help those around the community.
Local McDonald’s owner Marisol Sanchez was in attendance as she awarded the grant to the group.
In addition to the grant, the recipient of the Molina Health Foundation Community Champion award, Virginia Barrone of Apple Valley and Phoenix Academy, received a $1,000 award. She gratefully donated it to one of the many organizations the league supports.
“We’ve very honored to have received this grant as we continue to serve our community,” said Marketing Communication Chairman Linda Elliott.
“This award was given to her for her love and compassion in working with families and children in the High Desert for more than 10 years,” Elliott said. “She then ‘paid it forward’ and gave the award to Assistance League for our Operation School Bell program.”
According to Elliott, public support funds raised by chapters are returned to their communities through philanthropic programs. The Victor Valley chapter directs its funds primarily to the school children of the area.
“All of these programs are made possible by the thousands of hours their volunteers put in each year,” Elliott said. “The funding is provided primarily by the operation of the Assistance League Thrift Shop in Apple Valley and through generous grants, such as the two received this month.”
For more information about how you can volunteer or donate to Assistance League of Victor Valley, visit www.victorvalley.assistanceleague.org
