I've been a member of Assistance League of Eugene since 2009 and think this is an outstanding non-profit organization. Part of the National Assistance League, which is more than 100 years old, the Eugene chapter was founded in 1973 and chartered in 1978. Membership has grown to 243 this year and several founding members are still active. Members volunteer more than 24,000 service hours annually.
Assistance League of Eugene's mission is to provide programs that will enhance the quality of life in our community. We currently have seven philanthropic programs which assist nearly 4,000 people in need: Operation School Bell (new school clothes for children in need); Children's Dental Center (dental care for children without insurance); Operation Bookshelf (library materials for homebound patrons); Oregon Heritage (historical museum programs for children and seniors); Operation Hug a Bear (teddy bears for people in crisis); Welcome Basket (home supplies for families and veterans in transitional housing); and Caring and Sharing (music and fellowship with seniors).
These programs are funded primarily by proceeds from our Assistance League Thrift Shop, which is staffed by members with merchandise donated by the community. Supplemental income is raised through grant-writing and additional fund-raising activities. 88% of all funds raised are returned to the community.
Assistance League of Eugene's motto is "Caring and Commitment in Action." Members volunteer their time, energy, and enthusiasm because they love what they do and know it's for a good cause. That's why I'm a member and plan to be for a long time to come.
Assistance League of Eugene is a volunteer driven non-profit organization. Our seven philanthropic programs provide library materials to shut-ins; new school clothing for over 1700 school children (fall 2012); Oregon History tours and "road shows" for students and seniors; friendship and music at local residential care facilities; household products for families moving into transitional housing; teddy bears for children in traumatic situations; and free dental care for students in six local school districts.
We raise the majority of the money needed to fund our programs through sales of donated merchandise at our Assistance League Thrift Shop. Our 240+ members work tirelessly to staff, fund and support our fundraisers and programs, donating more than 24,000 volunteer hours in fiscal 2011-12. We participate in local events to raise awareness of our organization's activities in the community; have a speaker's bureau that provides information about our organization to interested groups; and a fiscally responsible infrastructure that returns over 87% of the funds we raise back to our community.
We make a difference in the lives of those we serve, and in the process, enrich our own lives.
Working with an organization that directly helps children and people in need in our community helps fill the need to give back to a community that has provided our livelihood and a great way of life. Assistance League works well for me as a volunteer organization because it raises money, donates the money through services or programs right back into the hands of those who need it.
Operation School Bell allows children identified through their schools as needing help. Each child gets the joy of picking out needed, wanted clothing that makes them fit into their school experience. Love working the nights they shop! VetLift, a newer program of Assistance League, helps Veterans moving into transitional housing by providing household supplies. At a recent Assistance League meeting a Veteran described for us how important it was to know that people in his own community cared enough to do this.
Working at the Thrift Shop preparing donations for sale, creating artful displays, maintaining a retail shop takes many hours per week for all of our members. But the rewards are worth the effort. We help people right where they need it – here, in Eugene.
Another way Assistance League raises money is by writing grants and applying to foundations that seek ways to put their funds in the hands of those who provide programs to help people in need – for example the Children’s Dental Clinic is the recipient of many grants and donations. Great way to help kids! Dentists and Hygienists donate their time and talents. Our volunteers maintain the clinic and make it all happen. Assistance League has many talented and energetic volunteers that love making someone else’s life better.
Assistance League of Eugene's main goal is to help and support our community. We have programs which provide many services to community members. Our main focus is Operation School Bell which provides new school clothes to children in our community. 1600+ students were helped this year. We also provide dental care for students who do not have insurance. Senior citizens, that our house bound, receive books from our public library delivered by Assistance League members. Working with St Vincent de Paul, we provide Welcome Baskets for families and veterans that are getting into housing. We have a group of volunteers who provide Sing-a-longs for nursing home residents.
Assistance League helps so many different community members through seven philanthropic programs. Children in need of new school clothes are helped through Operation School Bell®, flagship program for all Assistance League chapters nationally. The Children's Dental Clinic provides treatment and education for dental health in children lacking dental insurance. I love teaching elementary students about Oregon Trail pioneer life in another program because it is so rewarding to make history come alive for children. As a reader, I support Operation Bookshelf, which delivers library materials to those unable to travel. Assistance League is filled with conscientious members who donate hundreds of hours each year to make life easier for Lane County residents. Each Assistance League chapter creates programs that match the needs of their own communities.
Assistance League of Eugene has a mission to help enhance the quality of life in our community. It's signature program, Operation School Bell, has provided school clothes for 21,000 students since its inception.
It operates the Children's Dental Center for students whose families do not have dental insurance and are in need of dental care. Another program delivers library materials to those who are homebound. In all, seven programs are funded by donations, grants and the proceeds of Gently Used, a thrift shop at 1149 Willamette Street. Except for a part time dental assistant, this organization consists entirely of volunteers who work hard to ensure that the programs are well run and fulfill their mission to enhance lives.
Review from Guidestar