Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community

MISSION

Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.

VISION

Essential needs are met in our community, and families flourish.

WITH HEARTFELT THANKS TO OUR 2021 MISTLETOE SPONSORS

Grande Sponsor $8,000

David W. Elliott Charitable Fund

In Memory and in Sincere Thanks from Karen Rutherford

Event Sponsor $5,000

The Larry D. Miller & Mary L. Miller Foundation

Platinum Sponsor $2,500

McShane Family Foundation

Miller Vein

Corky O’Reilly

Gold Sponsor $1,000

Laurie & Alex Alkidas Barbara & Lyle Bakker

Sue & Paul Burback Cindy & Jim Cirar

Community Foundation of Greater Rochester Ginny deSteiger

Lyle & Gerry Detterman Barry & Suzanne Gourley

Jan McHale Judy & Dave McWhirter

Daniel B. Paulson, CLU, ChFC-Baird Skin Ovations

Kathy White

Silver Sponsor $500

Shelley Blank & Jackie Armistead, Birmingham Design Studio – Kristi Karimpour, Consumers Energy- Lauren Royston, Mary Jane Croissant, Jim & Jan Csizmadia, Dillman & Upton- Sue Upton, Liz Dolinar, Michael & Ann Drake, Bill & Diane Ebinger, Genisys Credit Union – Jackie Buchanan, Jill Greimel, Cindy Guerrieri, Candy Harris – Real Estate One, Lauri Hasselwander, Kris & Larry LaVanway, Cathy & Len Linden, Jan & John Marshall, Frank & Marilyn Martin, Rita McGuckin G & M Gutter Company Inc.-Rita McGuckin, Potere-Modetz Funeral Home – Mary Modetz, Joanne Sisson, Realtor, Barbara Smith, Janna Snyder, Dan & Lorraine Taliercio, Carol Tough

Bronze Sponsor $250

Alpha Gamma Delta Sisters: Betsy Klein, Geri Ceremuga & Carolyn Volk, ALSM Past Presidents, James & Sandra Avery, Janet & John Bailey, Diane & Greg Bald, Dolores Barry, Jan Bernat, Carole & Rick Berry, Rob & Joanne Brown, Sue Cantwell, Violet Cholakian, Christian Financial Credit Union, Melinda Conway Callahan, Anne M. Cushing, Robert & Mary Davis, Ron & Marjorie Diliddo, Rosemary Dirksen, Rob & Sue Dobbelstein, Sani Dwyer, Mary Ebert, Karen Graham, Amy Headbloom, Jennifer John & Rebecca Smith, Krakowski, Mattina, Kent & Gibbons, PC, Gayle & Sonny Minneci, Vincetta & Ray Nicosia, Kathy Novitsky, Steve & Mary Oehler, Luanne M. Offer, Mark & Angie Pimlott, Roger & Pat Quitter, Barb & Roger Roller, Julie & Joe Sayers, Bill & Rhonda Scanlon, Jim & Carolyn Schenden, David & Karen Sobrilsky, Dr. & Mrs. George Stec, SydFit, L.L.C., Kathleen P Vani DDS, Chris Varvatos, Carolyn Volk, Nancy & Thomas Walker, Larry & Valerie Westley, Thomas & Ruth Williamson, Tony & Joanne Wisniewski

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Julie Ament, Elizabeth Ayers, Bette Beauchamp, Natalie Brent, Beverly Bydlowski, Missy Castle, LInda Chayka, Janet Ciemiega, Ellie Couch, Rita Dates, Norma Frame, Dennys Grady, Diane Gruebnau, Nancy Hartwell, Peggy Harbaugh, Marilyn Ickes, Cora Ivancso, Sally Johnson, Laura Kennedy, Mary Liston, Juanita Mallman, Martha Masternick, Alice Murphy, Denice Murphy, Margaret Nicosia, Kathy Paul, Joyce Perron, Patricia Redman, Nora Roehrig, Julie Sayers, Sherry Sellinger, Vickie Sheaks, Natalie Shebowich, Marilee Shortreed, Evelyn Strader, Wendy Superfisky, Trahan, Linda Tull, Merle Turner, Ann Vier, Betty Zych

We Thank Our In-Kind Donors

Laurie Alkidas, Jackie Armistead, Aurum Jewelry, Dee Barry, Diane Bald, Janet Bailey, Jan Bernat, Roz Behaylo, Carole Berry, Shelly Blank, Bordine’s, Karen Boyk, Diane Bright, Brighton Collectibles of Somerset Collection, Joanne Brown, Sue Burback, Sue Cantwell, Missy Castle, Gerri Ceremuga, Linda Chayka, Violet Cholakian, Cindy Cirar, Toby Collins, Trudy Connor, Mary Conti, Pat Czechowski, Sherry Davenport, Nancy Davis, Sandy Demery, Gerry Detterman, Maureen Dierwa, Dillman & Upton, Rose Dirksen, Sue Dobbelstein, Camille Doerr, Liz Dolinar, Sani Dwyer, Mary Ebert, Gardner White, Judy Garret, Grand Hotel Mackinac Island, Lee Grant, Cindy Guerrieri, Cheryl Hanson, Geri Hogan, Denise Kaminski, Kathy Kaye, Mary Kulesza, Birdie & Gene Kutcher, Dar Lakowski, Leon & Lulu, Pat Lesich, Cathy Linden, Marilyn Martin, Mary Mazure, Denise McGillivray, Marcia Mikula, Carol Murphy, Kathryn Narlock, Vincetta Nicosia, Kathy Novitsky, Oakland University Golf & Learning Center, Patricia Orlowski, Toni Ott, Ruth Peters, Angie Pimlot, PRP Wine International, Pat Quitter, Ray’s Lighting Center, Jan Riggs, Fran Rogers, Barb Roller, Royal Park Hotel, Terri Russel, Tom Rutherford, Joan Sanne, Florence Sapienza, Julie Sayers, Vicki Shepard, Maureen Scholsser, Dee Schmidt, Skin Ovations, Karen Solbrisky, Nancy Southwick, Collette Stager, Kathy Stesney, Margaret Sych, Lorraine Taliercio, Travel Pledge, Troy Escape, Kerri Vizena, Gail Wilde, Joanne Wisniewski, Barbara Wolak, Sara Wollard, Cindy Yearwood, Ziebart, Betty Zych

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LATEST NEWS

BOOK DRIVE: 'A child who reads is a child who succeeds'

ROCHESTER, Michigan (05/24/22) – The goal of Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan’s annual Book Drive was twofold: to promote reading in the tri-county community and to make sure each child receives a new book – no matter what their age.

Sometimes it’s the first book they have ever actually owned.

After two months of tireless effort, Assistance League chapter volunteers collected nearly 1,700 new children’s books for the drive.

“A child who reads is a child who succeeds. Thank you to everyone who donated to this effort and reinforced this connection,” said Barb Roller, chair of the chapter’s Book Drive.

The books – for infants to K-12 grade levels – will be distributed through four of the chapter’s philanthropic programs: Operation School Bell®, Blast Off 2 School, One-2-One Tutoring and Wee Help.

Any remaining books will be donated to Catholic Relief Services, Toys for Tots and Rochester Hills Public Library.

Earlier this year, Assistance League prepared a “Wish List” of appropriate children’s books based on consultations with local librarians and the chapter’s Operation School Bell book chairs. Chapter volunteers collected books at the ReSale Connection in downtown Rochester until April 30.

BOOK DRIVE: Annual event supports gift of reading for children

ROCHESTER, Michigan (03/15/22) – Looking for a great way to help make a difference for children in our community? In an effort to help encourage children to read, consider donating brand newbooks, infant and K-12 levels, to Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan’s Annual Book Drive.

Assistance League volunteers will collect new children’s books only in a drop box at the ReSale Connection store (204 S. Main St. in downtown Rochester) today through Saturday, April 30.

Over the past several years, the southeastern Michigan chapter has collected over 35,000 books. The books are distributed to children through the chapter’s philanthropic programs: Operation School Bell®, Wee Help, One-2-One Tutoring and Neighborhood House. In addition, they also will go to local school libraries, The Children’s Center of Detroit and Alternatives for Girls.

“No matter what age, each child receives a new book to keep, whether it’s through Operation School Bell, our tutoring program or the Blast Off 2 School in August. After all of those books are distributed, the remaining ones go to schools and other agencies that service families,” said Luanne Offer, the chapter’s president. “The gift of reading lasts a lifetime and is priceless.”

Here are some ideas for book suggestions:

Books showing ethnic and cultural diversity.
Board books suitable for newborns, 6”x7” in size, which will be inserted in the layette packet that we send home with new mothers.
Easy readers, especially Levels 1&2, for our tutoring program at Whitman Elementary in Pontiac.
Picture and chapter books for first through third grades by authors such as Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Eric Carle, Mo Willems, Don Freeman, Dr. Seuss, Kevin Henkes and Dan Gutman.
Chapter books through grade 12, such as biographies, autobiographies, National Geographic Kids Amazing Animals, sports, poetry books, mysteries, teen science fiction and historical fiction.

For more information, please contact Book Drive Chair Barb Roller at ReSale Connection by calling 248-656-0414.

ACTION WEEK: Donations to provide new socks, fleece blankets for homeless

ROCHESTER, Michigan (02/11/22) – Action Week’s Winter Warmup donation program begins today for Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan. The chapter will focus on the struggles among the homeless and others in the tri-county area by providing new warm socks and twin-size fleece blankets or throws.

The donation drive will run through Thursday, February 24.

Across the nation, 120 Assistance League chapters will focus on their own Action Week programs, including how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities.

“Many local shelters and warming centers report that winter in Michigan is especially brutal for those without adequate shelter and protection,” said Luanne Offer, president of the Michigan chapter. “Warm socks and fleece blankets or throws are two items in high demand and most useful.”

Here’s how the community can help with Winter Warmup:

Donations of new items only are requested. Also, only warm socks and twin-size fleece blankets or throws will be accepted.

Starting today at noon, donations will be collected at the ReSale Connection store at 204 South Main St. in downtown Rochester. This ends Thursday, February 24, at 4 p.m.

Store hours: Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday noon to 4 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Local shelters and warming stations will receive all donations.

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s established Philanthropic Programs include Operation School Bell for school children, Wee Help for infants, Assault Survivor Kits for victims of abuse and Nourishing Neighbors for those with food insecurity.

ANGELS AT WORK: Bearing gifts and cookies, volunteers lift spirits

ROCHESTER, Michigan (01/13/22) – Those who believe angels walk among us also may agree that they can come bearing gift bags instead of wings and halos. And trays of cookies, too.

On December 18, a few of “Earth’s angels” from Assistance League^® of Southeastern Michigan dropped in on seniors at MediLodge of Rochester Hills. They delivered 58 personalized gift bags, cookies for the facility’s staff and residents, and a whole lot of brightened spirits.

Member volunteers Sani Dwyer, Lisa Fuson, Deb Cave and Joanne Wisniewski worked their pre-holiday magic at the skilled nursing facility on Walton Boulevard. MediLodge provides senior health care solutions such as long-term skilled nursing care, respite care and short-term rehabilitations.

“Residents were delighted to receive the unexpected holiday packages,” said Sani Dwyer, VP Philanthropic Programs for the Assistance League chapter. “At this time of year, but especially with COVID-19 isolation, it’s important for seniors in our community to know they’re always on our minds and in our hearts.”

Each gift bag included a monogrammed sweatshirt, sweatpants, socks, slippers and a handcrafted angel ornament. In addition, the group delivered a large tray of cookies for staff and residents with a gift card that read: “From your friends at Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.”

MISTLETOE MARKETPLACE: 18th annual event raises $120,000 with hybrid approach

ROCHESTER, Michigan (11/26/21) – The 18^th annual Mistletoe Marketplace fundraiser for Assistance League^® of Southeastern Michigan raised $120,000 by combining its signature in-person event on November 17 with a Virtual Silent Auction online.

More than 500 tickets were sold to supporters and donors who ventured out for a day of shopping, eating and socializing. And the virtual fundraiser was available for those who preferred to enjoy a more socially-distant donating experience.

Held at The Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township, the Mistletoe Marketplace event spotlights the chapter’s vision of building a better future for those in need in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

For an $85 ticket, each guest enjoyed a delicious luncheon, boutique shopping from 30 vendors and a raffle for over 30 gift baskets, as well as cash raffles and prizes.

In addition, 40 items – from trips to home goods and beauty experiences to golf and collectibles – were showcased in the Virtual Silent Auction. Online bidding began November 13 and continued up until noon, when all gaming ended, on the day of the event.

The in-person event also featured home & décor items from ReSale Connection, Assistance League’s upscale resale shop in downtown Rochester, and “Pick a Pretty Purse” bidding for 10 beautiful purses filled with treasures.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dan Jenuwine, executive director of Oakland Community College Foundation.

“While offering supporters an online option with the Virtual Silent Auction, honestly, it was so exciting and wonderful to be back in person with our signature fundraiser,” said Luanne Offer, president of the Southeastern Michigan chapter. “This event will help so many underserved in the tri-county community.”

Funds raised will benefit Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s established Philanthropic Programs, including Operation School Bell for school children, Wee Help for infants, Assault Survivor Kits for victims of abuse and Nourishing Neighbors for those with food insecurity.

OPERATION SCHOOL BELL: Goal to serve 2,630 tri-county children reached

ROCHESTER, Michigan (10/25/21) – What to do when a couple of thousand school-age children need clothing and other basic necessities during an ongoing pandemic? If you’re Assistance League^®of Southeastern Michigan, you do what works.

The result: 2,630 children served, while maintaining the health and safety of member volunteers for the second consecutive year with Operation School Bell, the chapter’s signature philanthropic program.

After COVID-19 forced schools in southeast Michigan’s tri-county area to close in fall 2020, the local nonprofit reinvented the program. Instead of children shopping for themselves at a makeshift “store” in a school gym, the organization’s member volunteers did it for them.

With detailed forms filled out by the kids, volunteers found correct sizes on clothing and necessities – including jackets, hats and gloves, school uniforms or tops, underwear and socks – and filled duffle bags with brand new items, along with age-appropriate books and hygiene kits.

“For some of these children, this may be the first new coat they can call their own, as well as other items of clothing they won’t have to share with a sibling,” said Luanne Offer, president of Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan. “Just the thought of their smiles when they receive their duffle bags can’t help but warm your heart.”

All 2,630 bags were loaded onto U-Haul moving trucks and delivered to seven selected schools in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, and then given to students by school personnel. It all occurred over two, three-day assemblies at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rochester, as follows:

October 5-7: There were 1,029 students from three schools, including Roose Elementary in Center Line, and Carstens Elementary and Fisher Magnet Upper Academy, both in Detroit.
October 19-21: There were 1,201 students from Alcott School and International Language Academy in Pontiac, Lincoln Elementary in Warren and Key Elementary in Oak Park.

In addition to Assistance League members, spouses and friends, many community volunteers from Miller Vein, General Motors Corp., Delta Kappa, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Royal Oak Women’s Club and Level One Bank helped in the Operation School Bell effort.

MISTLETOE MARKETPLACE: Support us in person or online Nov. 17

ROCHESTER, Michigan (10/18/21) – It’s not often these days you will find a hybrid event that’s offered online and in person. Look no further.

The 18^th annual Mistletoe Marketplace fundraiser for Assistance League^® of Southeastern Michigan is just that: “live” and in person for those who are ready to venture out for a day of shopping, eating and socializing. And “virtual” for those who prefer to enjoy an online experience supporting a very worthwhile charity.

The organization’s signature fundraising event will be held Wednesday, November 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Palazzo Grande on 54660 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township.

Your $85 ticket includes a delicious luncheon, boutique shopping from 30 vendors and raffling off over 30 gift baskets, as well as cash prizes. In addition, they will showcase 40 items in the Virtual Silent Auction – from trips to home goods and beauty experiences to golf and collectibles.

The in-person event also will feature home & décor items from ReSale Connection in Rochester. “Pick a Pretty Purse” bidding will be offered the day of the event for 10 beautiful purses filled with treasures. And, of course, there will be complimentary valet parking.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dan Jenuwine, executive director of Oakland Community College Foundation.

Funds raised benefit Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s numerous philanthropic programs, including Operation School Bell. The event spotlights the chapter’s strengths and vision for a better future for those in need in the tri-county area.

“We’re so excited to bring back our signature fundraising event in person, while also offering an online option with the Virtual Silent Auction,” said Luanne Offer, president of the Southeastern Michigan chapter. “Once again, we’ve adjusted to the times and continue to put the community first.”

For the safety of all guests, masks will be provided at registration tables upon entering the event. Hand sanitizers will be placed in the reception area and throughout the ballroom. Each place setting will have an individual hand sanitizer wipe.

To purchase tickets and/or register as a bidder for the event’s Virtual Silent Auction, please visit this link: https://Mistletoe2021@givesmart.com

The deadline to buy tickets is Friday, November 5. Online bidding for the Virtual Silent Auction begins Saturday, November 13, at noon and runs through Wednesday, November 17, at noon.

For more information, please call Vincetta Nicosia, Mistletoe Marketplace chair, at (248) 606-4242.

BLAST OFF 2 SCHOOL: Annual event helps over 400 children prepare for new year

ROCHESTER, Michigan (08/19/21) – Not even a mass power outage could stop this year’s annual Blast Off 2 School event – or the strength in community that helped make it a success.

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan member volunteers worked by flashlight the morning of August 14 to prepare individual bags, which included clothing, hygiene kits and books for area Neighborhood House clients. By mid-afternoon, more than 400 children had received their bags.

The night before, 16 members of Rochester High School tennis team packed the truck for assembly at First Congregational Church in Rochester.

“We all made the best of a difficult situation to make sure the children came first,” said Luanne Offer, president of the Southeastern Michigan chapter. “Our goal is to ensure that these students have what they need to begin a new school year.”

Three area groups, including the Assistance League chapter, came together so that children in need wouldn’t have to worry or wonder about starting school without new pencils, crayons, notebooks and clothing for their first day.

The children are also eligible for school physicals at a nearby hospital.

Each child received a red Assistance League tote bag filled with their own personal choice of clothing by size and color, along with other items: a new hoodie, socks, underwear, long-sleeved T-shirt, age-appropriate book and hygiene kit.

School supplies included everything from three-ring binders and dividers to spiral notebooks, pens and pencils, erasers, Elmer’s glue sticks and flash drives.

One family – with eight children from pre-K to high school age – said they were “delighted” to be prepared for the new school year.

In its fifth year, the annual event was a partnership of three groups: Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, Neighborhood House and Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, where school physicals will be given.

In keeping with COVID-19 precautions, this event was contactless as it was in 2020, and eligible families who pre-registered with Neighborhood House picked up bags curbside from volunteers.

“It’s our privilege to team up with Neighborhood House and Ascension Providence Rochester and bring this wonderful program to so many families each year,” Offer said.

The event was free to Neighborhood House clients with families who have children ages 4-18 and live within the agency’s service area of Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Oakland Township, Leonard and Addison Township.

BOOK DRIVE: Chapter accepting 'gift of reading' donations through May 22

ROCHESTER, Michigan (05/03/21) – If you’re looking for a great way to help make a difference for children in the community, look no further than downtown Rochester and consider donating new age-appropriate books – for infants to high school students – to Assistance League® of Southeastern Michigan’s Book Drive.

Assistance League volunteers will collect new children’s books only in a drop box at their ReSale Connection store (204 S. Main St.) in downtown Rochester from now through May 22.

Over the past several years, the chapter has collected more than 35,000 new books.

The books are distributed to children through the chapter’s philanthropic programs, including: Operation School Bell®, Wee Help, One-2-One Tutoring, Neighborhood House, Children’s Center of Detroit and Alternatives for Girls, as well as local school libraries.

“No matter what age, each child receives a new book to keep, whether it’s through OSB, our tutoring program or the Back to School Blast in August. After all of those books are distributed, the remaining ones go to schools and other agencies that service families,” said Ann Drake, the chapter’s president. “The gift of reading lasts a lifetime and is priceless.”

Here are detailed suggestions on what kinds of books are needed:

Books showing cultural diversity and ethnicity.
Board books suitable for infants, 6”x7” in size, which will be added to layette packages sent home with new mothers.
Easy readers, especially Levels 1 and 2 for the organization’s tutoring program at Whitman Elementary in Pontiac.
Picture and chapter books for first- through third-graders by authors such as Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Eric Carle, Mo Willems, Don Freeman, Dr. Seuss, Kevin Henkes and Dan Gutman.
Chapter books through grade 12, including biographies, autobiographies, National Geographic Kids Amazing Animals, sports, poetry books, mysteries, teen science fiction and historical fiction.

For more information, please contact Barb Roller, Book Drive chair, at ReSale Connection store (248-656-0414).

ACTION WEEK: Chapter joins Reach Out program to show area kids ‘someone cares’

ROCHESTER, Michigan (02/08/21) – Action Week’s Reach Out donation program begins today for Assistance League^®of Southeastern Michigan and other Assistance League chapters nationwide and runs through February 26.

Reach Out week highlights an aspect of Assistance League’s Operation School Bell® program to help raise awareness of how children blossom and grow when they are given the tools to succeed and the knowledge that “someone cares.”

Donated items will be given to children serviced by Cass Community Social Services in Detroit.

“We know that there are children lacking basic school and art supplies needed to fully participate and flourish in school. We would like to take this opportunity to show these children that we care by providing them with these supplies,” said Ann Drake, president of the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan chapter.

Here’s how the community can help with donations of these suggested items:

Crayons, markers and pencils.
Wide-ruled notebooks, paper and folders.
Construction paper.
Safety scissors.
Glue sticks, rulers, hand-held pencil sharpeners.
Coloring and activity books.
Flash cards for math and reading.
Art supplies and stickers.

Donated items will be collected at the Assistance League’s ReSale Connection store beginning today through Saturday, February 27.

ReSale Connection is located at 204 South Main St. in downtown Rochester. Store hours are Tuesday and Wednesday noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additionally, donated items may also be dropped off at the Assistance League Warehouse on Thursday, February 25, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Warehouse is located at 228 South St. in Rochester.

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