Assistance League
Assistance League is a national nonprofit organization in the United States with over 120 chapters dedicated to providing accessibility and fulfillment of community needs at the local level.{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/04/a_catwalk_through_the_history.html |title=A (cat)walk through the history of Mobile, and changing fashions, at the Battle House |publisher=Alabama Media Group |date=2014-04-04 |accessdate=2014-04-08}}
Each chapter focuses on helping their community with philanthropic programs ranging from donating classroom supplies, clothing and books{{cite web|url= http://beyondthefold.chieftain.com/home/2091464-120/luncheon-assistance-league-helps |title=Assistance League Helps Children in Style |publisher=Beyond the Fold |date=2013-12-10 |accessdate=2014-04-08}} to supplying teddy bears to law enforcement in giving to traumatized children, and providing Assault Survival Kits of new clothing at hospitals for rape victims.{{cite web |url=http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/social-affairs/20140404/assistance-league-of-redlands-thrift-shop-seeks-donations |title=Assistance League of Redlands' Thrift Shop seeks donations |publisher=Redlands Daily Facts |date=2014-04-04 |accessdate=2014-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085608/http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/social-affairs/20140404/assistance-league-of-redlands-thrift-shop-seeks-donations |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/gala-aims-to-raise-thousands-to-help-children-in-need |title=Gala aims to raise thousands to help children in need |publisher=The Indy Channel |date=2014-04-07 |accessdate=2014-04-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408223325/http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/gala-aims-to-raise-thousands-to-help-children-in-need |archivedate=2014-04-08 }}
The Assistance League consists of Chapter Members (who volunteer to staff Thrift Stores and other events), Assisteens (high school youth), and ALPHA or Assistance League Professional Humanitarian Auxiliary (working professionals or business women who wish to contribute to the community).{{Cite web|title=Assistance League to Celebrate 80 Years of Service|url=https://fullertonobserver.com/2019/10/30/assistance-league-to-celebrate-80-years-of-service/|last=Tour|first=Jesse La|date=2019-10-30|website=Fullerton Observer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-22}}
History
Assistance League was established in 1919 by the philanthropic efforts of Anne Banning (daughter-in-law of Phineas Banning) and Ada Edwards Laughlin (daughter-in-law of Homer Laughlin) to form Assistance League of Southern California. Anne Banning,{{cite web|url= http://societynewsla.com/assistance-league-of-southern-california-founders-day/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213609/http://societynewsla.com/assistance-league-of-southern-california-founders-day/ |url-status= usurped |archive-date= April 8, 2014 |title=Assistance League of Southern California Founders Day |publisher=Society News LA |date=2012-01-31 |accessdate=2014-04-08}} was a leading philanthropist of her time, with a mission to aid families in distress as a result of World War I. Her vision to provide service to all in need, regardless of their race, religion or culture, laid the foundation for the future of the organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.sanjoaquinmagazine.com/sanjoaquin/2013/09/upfront2092.php |title=Assistance League of Stockton |publisher=San Joaquin Magazine |date=2013-09-01 |accessdate=2014-04-08}} The first Assistance League thrift shop opened as a revenue source for the philanthropic programs: Day Nursery, Girl’s Club, and others.{{cite web|url= http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll44/id/102671
|title=Assistance League Day Nursery, new officers |publisher=USC Digital Library |date=1952-06-09 |accessdate=2014-04-08}}{{cite web|url= http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll44/id/34958
|title=Junior auxiliary members cooking for girl's club of Assistance League party, 1951 |publisher=USC Digital Library |date=1951-12-04 |accessdate=2014-04-08}}
In the 1930s, the Assistance League called on daughters and granddaughters of its members to assist in various philanthropic projects. This participation developed into Assisteens, a youth focused program of volunteerism for grades seven to 12.{{cite web|url=http://scvelitemagazine.com/features/749-our-youth-leading-the-way |title=Our Youth...Leading the Way |publisher=Elite Magazine |date=2012-07-25 |accessdate=2014-04-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408230157/http://scvelitemagazine.com/features/749-our-youth-leading-the-way |archivedate=2014-04-08 }}
After 1935, neighboring communities sprouted affiliate chapters and a national representation was beginning to organize under the guidelines of Ada Laughlin. In August 1949 National Assistance League was formed.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}
Since its inception, the Assistance League has had the support of Hollywood celebrities participating in volunteerism and charitable events. It was not uncommon to see celebrities like Jean Harlow reading stories to children in need,{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1970&dat=19321226&id=gSExAAAAIBAJ&pg=4489,6302927 |title=Latest World News Pictures: Jean Harlow Brings Christmas Cheer to Kiddies |publisher=Berkeley Daily Gazette |date=1932-12-26 |accessdate=2014-04-08}} Claudia Dell waiting tables for a good cause{{cite web|url= http://hollywoodheyday.blogspot.com/2009/03/march-18-1932.html
|title=March 18, 1932 |publisher=Hollywood Heyday |date=2009-03-03 |accessdate=2014-04-08}} or Shirley Temple Black, who was actively involved as a member, running the register at an Assistance League gift shop.{{cite web|url= http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Feb/14/shirley-temple-black-marilyn-knowlden-death-film/ |title=Shirley Temple Black had San Diego friends |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=2014-02-14 |accessdate=2014-04-08}}
The Assistance League and its chapters have won numerous awards including being nominated and winning the All-Star Award for Make a Difference Day in 2012 and 2013, an annual recognition to individuals and organizations making the biggest impact nationally through volunteerism.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/weekend/living/2014/04/04/make-a-difference-day-awards-assistance-league-honored/7296763/ |title=Make a Difference Day Awards: Assistance League honored |publisher=USA Today |date=2014-04-04 |accessdate=2014-04-08}}
References
External links
- [http://www.assistanceleague.org Assistance League Official Website]
Category:Organizations established in 1919
Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States