Assistance League of Diablo Valley

I joined Diablo Valley Assistance League after retiring from teaching. Their organization had contributed so much to our school community through Operation School Bell (school uniforms and shoes), READ (reading to second graders and donating two exceptional books each month), and backpacks filled with school supplies for those who otherwise couldn't afford them. So I HAD to give back, and quickly joined their ranks. I have now been a volunteer for about four years, and can testify that they are an extremely organized, well-run philanthropic organization that gives back to our community in so many ways! There are 400+ chapter members who volunteer tirelessly to enhance the lives of the citizens in the communities served by the chapter. Here are some of the programs besides Operation School Bell, READ, and the Receiving Center Backpacks for foster youth:
The Kids on the Block (educational puppet show for school children)
Scholarships for high school seniors
Food Boxes to low-income families
Senior Year sponsorships for foster youth
Baby Bags (for at-risk infants)
On My Way Kits (to assist foster youth in transition to independence)
Listen (one-on-one reading help with at-risk second graders)
Telecare (calling weekdays to talk with homebound seniors)
Elementary Arts Discovery (help teach about the visual arts)
Show on the Road (entertainment for seniors in assisted living facilities)
and much, much more!!!

As the program coordinator of the Contra Costa County Children and Family Services' Independent Living Skills program, I support and value the effort that ALDV makes every year to support the foster youth population in Contra Costa County. Each year they provide select high school seniors with a "senior sponsorship" to help them pay for senior year activities, easing the financial burden these expensive items present to our youth. They provide scholarships to our youth pursuing higher education and "exit bags" full of start up apartment supplies for our youth graduating from high school and transitioning to the next phase of their lives. The support, care and dedication that ALDV provides for our youth is amazing and speaks to their commitment and caring nature. I am honored to be able to work with this world class organization.

As a principal of a Title 1 elementary school I know the firsthand impact that DVAL has had upon our school community. The yearly donation of 175 backpack filled with hygiene supplies, several changes of school uniform clothing, underwear, socks and a PayLess shoe voucher have been a life saver to our families who are struggling financially. As a school with a high number of Free & Reduced Lunch eligible students this extra support is greatly appreciated by all. The $500 teacher materials scholarship opportunity and the monthly book donations/READ volunteers in 2nd grade are other examples of the generosity of DVAL. Thank you for all you have done for our students! Christina Boman, Principal, El Monte Elementary, Concord, CA

I wholeheartedly believe in the work the Assistance League of Diablo Valley has been accomplishing in our communities for years. They are one of the most effective philanthropic organizations working with schools in our area and their track record proves that with over 70,000 hours volunteered, impacting the lives of more than 14,000 people in Contra Costa County. A true testament to their remarkable service is their recent milestone of clothing over 50,000 students in school districts in our region. Thank you to all the volunteers at ALDV and keep up the amazing work!

Susan Bonilla
Assemblywoman, District 14

The work that you all do is so important to the community and there are so many that count on your organization. It's our pleasure to assist with the food box packing; this has always been an event that our team looks forward to. Thank you so much for having us. We look forward to volunteering again soon.

Judy Schaefer
Fehr & Peers

I have been a member of Assistance League of Diablo Valley for 8 years, and find that the more I know about this organization, the more I admire the dedication of the more than 500 volunteers working in the community. They are dedicated to making the lives of those around them better and giving them greater hope for the future. With only one paid employee and by keeping overheads low, every cent possible is returned to the Contra Costa community.

I have been a member of Assistance League of Diablo Valley for almost 30 years. Membership has given me the opportunity to help others in my community and to use and improve my skills in retail, technology and public relations. Over the years I have benefited from shared friendships of members of all ages and stages in their lives and to see the difference Assistance League has made in the lives of others.

Membership in Assistance League of Diablo Valley has given me the opportunity to participate in making a difference in the lives of children and adults in my community. I have seen children succeed in the classroom, adults given a new start and have shared joy with seniors. During my 29 years as a member, I have had the opportunity to develop talent and skills and learn new ones – public speaking, retail, marketing, website development, word processing and leadership.

I joined Assistance League Diablo Valley 10 years ago. It has been one of the most rewarding and educational experiences of my adult life. 400 chapter members work tirelessly to enhance the lives of the citizens in the communities served by the chapter. Since joining, I have volunteered countless hours on both the local and national level. Assistance League of Diablo Valley provides school uniforms and clothing, reads to second graders, listens to elementary school children read to volunteers, entertains residents at senior livings centers, tests the hearing of pre-school children, performs educational puppet shows to elementary school children, provides food boxes to low income workers, awards scholarships, makes daily phone calls to homebound seniors, funds expenses for foster youth during their senior year of high school along with other programs. The chapter raises all funds to cover expenses for the programs from proceeds for Assistance League of Diablo Valley Wayside Inn Thrift Shop in Lafayette, member donations, grants and the donations of local citizens. We welcome your time, talent and treasure.

I joined the Assistance League last December and have never been so impressed by this amazing group of women. The members raise funds primarily by the operation of the Wayside Inn Thrift Shop in Lafayette and use them to benefit the residents of the Diablo Valley area - from children to seniors. The members raised about $785,000 in fiscal year 2011-2012 to return to the community. The largest program, Operation School Bell, provided new clothes and shoes for 3,697 elementary schoolchildren. Pretty awesome, don't you think?