• In 1966, 34 Sacramento women, embracing this powerful vision, created an official guild and started the journey for Assistance League of Sacramento
• In 1968, Assistance League of Sacramento, became the 45th chapter of National Assistance League with 52 members
• The first chapter program served seniors in two convalescent hospitals who were unable to shop for themselves
• The chapter has expanded to support eight programs in the Greater Sacramento area
• After eight years of fundraisers, a small thrift shop was opened in 1987
• In 2014, the chapter purchased its own building to increase revenues to grow programs supporting the community
• Assistance League Center celebrated its grand opening in 2015, where our programs and resale shop continue to thrive
• This 100% volunteer organization has touched hundreds of thousands of lives in the Greater Sacramento area

• Assistance League was the first nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization founded in the West to recognize the potential of volunteers in helping those less fortunate to a better, more meaningful life
• Our founder, Ann Banning, was a member of a small group of prominent Los Angeles women who did local charitable work beginning in the mid 1890s, calling it Assistance League
• In April 1906, the women of Assistance League responded to the San Francisco earthquake and fire by collecting money and sewing clothes
• In 1919, Anne Banning and a group of twelve friends, including Ada Edwards Laughlin, recognized as co-founder, formed Assistance League of Southern California to provide food and clothing for local families severely impacted by World War I
• A bungalow in Hollywood was purchased as the community house in 1923. The first services were Good Samaritan, Day Nursery, Girls’ Club and Theatre for Children
• Film Location Bureau, Attic Tearoom, Women’s Exchange and Trousseau Shop provided the revenue. Originating between 1920 and 1930, these were pioneer services emulated by both public and private agencies
• Anne Banning and Ada Laughlin organized National Assistance League^® in 1935 to promote the growth of effective volunteerism through leadership training and education
• Anne Banning felt it was fine to serve youth, but important for youth to serve. Informal girl groups began in the 1930s and were consolidated in 1944
• Shirley Temple was a member of the Beverly Thrifties who supported the thrift shop. In 1959, guidelines were prepared for auxiliaries of members under the age of twenty-one and in 1961, all teenage auxiliaries were given the name Assisteens^®
• Through the gift of service to their communities, Assistance League chapters continue to fulfill Anne Banning’s philosophy of volunteer service: “To act as a friend at any and all times to men, women and children in need of care, guidance and assistance, spiritually, materially and physically.”

• Over 250 current member volunteers
• Over 25,000 individuals served in the Greater Sacramento area annually
• Nearly 45,000 volunteer service hours donated by members and community volunteers
• Estimated value of volunteer service: *$1,424,227

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Provided new clothes, shoes, school supplies, literacy services,
  and hygiene kits to 16,360 elementary school children;
•  Served 2,186 foster youth and sex trafficked victims with
  housing starter kits, hygiene/cleaning products, and clothing;
• Provided one-time goods, services, and housing starter kits to
  896 homeless individuals;
• Provided 30 scholarships to community college students;
• Packaged and delivered 2,260 teddy bears to hospitals, law
  enforcement, and emergency facilities for traumatized
  children and seniors with memory impairment;
• Clothed 59 women entering the work place upon completion of a
  job training program;
• Supplied yarn and fabric to 3 senior facilities where residents
  produced scarves, blankets, and hats for 1,871 children,
  homeless individuals, and teens in crisis.