Assistance League of Tucson, Inc

As a volunteer and a donor, Assistance League of Tucson, makes a difference in the lives of so many people in the community! NEW clothes for school children, household supplies to those who are starting over with nothing, kits for victims of sexual assault and books for incarcerated mothers to share with their children - these are the people that have been helped by my donations and by the time I volunteer.This is a GREAT organization and can always use more volunteers to help fulfill our mission!

Assistance League of Tucson touches the lives of so many in our community. Operation School Bell provides new school clothes for kids K-6, Starting Over Supplies provides people starting their lives over with supplies to set up house keeping in a new apartment, Assault Survivor Kits assist assault victims, PAWS Teddy Bears are provided to children in crisis across the community, the Assisteens work to provide assistance in our schools. Being a volunteer for Assistance League and its Auxiliary has been so rewarding. The looks on the faces of children when they are picking out their new school clothes makes the time spent working with them more than worthwhile.

I have had the opportunity to see this organization in action and what they are able to do for the children in our community is nothing short of a miracle. It is always a pleasure to tour the facility and see all of the thank you letters from the children who they have been able to help.

The most rewarding experience in Assistance League of Tucson is volunteering in Operation School Bell. The most disadvantaged children in Tucson's Title 1 schools are selected to visit our Philanthropic Programs Center. As a volunteer I help an individual child shop for brand new clothing that we provide. Through funds received at our Thrift Shop, grants written by our members and donations from the community, we are able to purchase tops, jeans, shoes, jackets, underwear, socks, backpacks, school and grooming supplies. The children are very appreciative and so excited to have new clothing. You can see the happy smiles on their face. School administrators and teachers believe that new clothing increases a child's self esteem, which effects their attendance in school. It is such a good feeling to make a difference in a child's life.

My mother has been a member of Assistance League for more than 40 years. She first joined in Arcadia, CA. When my parents moved to Tucson, she continued her membership in Assistance League of Tucson. She asked me to join too and I have enjoyed every day of volunteering. The programs are some of the best in Tucson, providing people in need with help and with hope. Our Thrift Shop, which has the most amazing finds, provides more than half the funding for our programs.

I have volunteered with Assistance League for eight years, spending most of my hours in Operation School Bell. Operation School Bell is one of the Assistance League's National Programs that dresses underpriviledged children for back to school. At our local Chapter here in Tucson, we try very hard to offer our School Bell children a positive, caring and rewarding experience by giving them new clothing, school supplies and age appropriate books. Many of these children are receiving new clothing for the first time. For a volunteer, the experience is wonderfully fulfilling and heart-breaking at the same time. For the children, it can be a single positive experience that might help them face the daily hardships and difficult challenges they experievce daily in their young lives.

One of the reasons Assistance League of Tucson is able to provide clothing for children and fund our other programs is the income earned in our thrift shop. However, the thrift shop is more to some of our customers than a place to find great merchandise at low prices. It is a place to spend time; to be in a place where they have caring volunteers to talk to. We listen and encourage or sometimes cry with them. A trip to our shop is a part of their daily lives. We know many by name and greet every customer that walks in our doors. They also know the good that we do with the money that they spend there and that makes them feel very good about shopping with us.

I have been volunteering for Assistance League of Tucson for about a year and a half and can testify that all who work for the organization are hard workers and their hard work goes back into the community by aiding local school children with clothes and supplies. In addition local residents who have are, in essence starting over, are aided with supplies for their new living situation.

I have been a volunteer for the Professional Association of Women's Services, an auxiliary of Assistance League to Tucson for five years, and serve on its Board. This Assistance League auxiliary allows professional women the opportunity to do volunteer work to benefit children in our community. It dovetails nicely with the overall mission of Assistance League of Tucson's mission to support women and children in Tucson. P.A.W.S. focus is providing child safe Teddy Bears to children in crisis, helping them to feel safe or to simply have something to cling to when they are very sick or being taken from their home due to neglect, physical or sexucal abuse. We distribute 1,500 bears each year

I have been a volunteer with Professional Association of Womens Services, an auxiliary of The Assistance League of Tucson for 11 years. Our main program is to provide child safe teddy bears to children in crisis in hospitals, and many social service offices, including Southern Arizona Child Advocacy Center. This year we supplied these agencies with 1500 teddy bears and each year, sadly, the number increases. It is our goal to give some comfort to the children, that receive these bears, at a time when they are under unbelievable circumstances. Another program is the provision of snack foods for children undergoing interviews at Child Advocacy Center. Age appropriate, new books are donated to refugee children in one of our school districts and also to Parents as Teachers.
Funding for our programs comes from our annual Teddy Bear Tea, a typical High Tea that occurs early in October each year.

Assistance League of Tucson is an all volunteer organization serving needy men, woman and children of the Tuson area. The largest program serving over 3600 children provides new school clothes, school supplies and toiletries to help elementary age children fit in with their classmates, improve self esteem and be prepared to learn. For some children this means having underwear or wearing shoes that are big enough. One child was so happy to have his own toothbrush. These simple supplies mean so much to the children who have nothing. The second largest program provides kits with supplies needed to set up housekeeping for individuals and families trying to get back on their feet when coming out of a shelter. One mother was able to regain custody of her children because she was able to set up a meager home. Cuddly teddy bears are provided to agencies dealing with children in traumatic situations. The bears provides some comfort to the child. Funding for these programs is provided by donors, grants, special events and the Thrift Shop. Shop, donate and volunteer at the Assistance League of Tucson

As a member of the Public Relations committee I have the privilege of seeing our volunteers in action. I have been present at Operation School Bell® dressings watching children get new clothes, shoes and supplies for school. You cannot have a bad day after seeing 30 (or more) smiling kids who are excited to pick out new things for school. Our latest Community Newslink has a look back at the start of this program; it is posted on our website, www.assistanceleaguetucson.org and we have lots of photos on our Facebook page (AssistanceLeagueTucson), too. Income from our Thrift Shop helps support our philanthropic programs; our customers like the fact that their purchases help support programs for the greater Tucson area. Assistance League is a national organization with local chapters.