Past Presidents Kathy Bassett, Jean Jones, Cheryll Schramm; current President Betsy Suman. Not pictured: Past President Judi Logan and Founding President Sheila Osann.
Just eleven years after it was established, Assistance League of Greater Wilmington reached a major milestone of giving more than $1,000,000 back to the communities it serves in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
Beginning with 18 charter members in 2008, the organization now has more than 145 members and has expanded its service to the community significantly since opening the Assistance League Thrift Shop at 420 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, in 2014. The million dollars in community giving supports Assistance League’s philanthropic programs including Operation School Bell®, the flagship program serving thousands of children in local schools with clothing, hygiene kits, books and snacks.
In addition, Links to Learning provides awards to local educators, supporting 59 innovative programs last year. Operation Scholar Support funds scholarships at Brunswick Community College and Cape Fear Community College. Operation Seniors offers a variety of social activities for local seniors in low-income facilities. Operation Teddy Bear gives comfort bears to children in crisis and duress at local hospitals, counseling centers and emergency services. A puppeteering troupe, Kids on the Block, offers entertaining lessons at elementary schools, and the Slightly Off-Key Stringalongs entertain hundreds of seniors each year with ukulele sing-alongs. A variety of other programs are offered based on identified needs in the community.
Assistance League of Greater Wilmington held fundraisers from the start and was able to spend $6,415 on philanthropic programs in 2008-09, its first fiscal year. Fast-forward to the current fiscal year, and the organization will give more than $235,000 back to the community. Assistance League members are thrilled with their growth and look forward to many more years of service to the people of Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
