History

The History of Assistance League® of Flintridge

 

On December 14, 1951, twenty-six women met at an invitational tea and formed Assistance Guild of Flintridge as a probationary Guild of National Assistance League.  After three years as a Guild, Assistance League of Flintridge received its Charter in March 1954 and became the 21st Chapter of National Assistance League.  Assistance League of Flintridge became known locally by the acronym of ALF.

 

The Bargain Box Thrift Shop was started in January 1957.  It originally operated from a converted garage at the La Cañada Youth House from 1956-1957 and eventually moved to Oakwood Avenue in 1968.  Revenue from the Bargain Box became the principal source of fundraising for Assistance League of Flintridge.  Donations received from the community and support from customers continue to make it possible for ALF to fund its philanthropic programs.

 

In March of 1967, Assisteens® auxiliary was formed, made up of teenage daughters and granddaughters of members.  Since that time, Assisteens has grown to now include both boys and girls in grades 7-12 and is open to the public.  Assisteens raise funds for their philanthropic programs by staffing the Bargain Box Thrift Shop.  Their philanthropic programs include assisting at the Pasadena Bad Weather Shelter; preparing goody bags for families temporarily housed at Union Station, a 50-bed facility in Pasadena; making blankets for infants in need; retirement home visits; tutoring elementary students and more.

 

September of 1976 saw the beginning of the Retired Service Volunteers (RSV).  Members of RSV meet Friday mornings in the ALF Chapter Meeting Room.  They volunteer their services to nonprofit agencies by assembling mailings and performing other tasks while enjoying their time together.  Lunch is served by ALF and CAP volunteers.  During the year, special parties, programs and outings are also held for RSV members.  Any resident of retirement age is welcome to join this working community group.

 

The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 brought a crisis in the La Cañada Unified School District and its summer school program was in jeopardy.  Assistance League of Flintridge stepped in right away and began ALF Summer School in June of that year.  These fee-based enrichment classes for grades 1-8, administered by Assistance League of Flintridge, have been popular for 40 years.

 

In 1985, ALF began a fee-based Instrumental Music program.  It was offered during the school day in the La Cañada Unified School District (LCUSD) elementary schools for students in grades 4-6.  In 2004 the Instrumental Music program was changed and instruction is now offered before and after the school day.  Concerts are held in the winter and spring at Lanterman Auditorium.

 

An after-school Drama program started in 1986 as a fee-based workshop.  It currently includes ALFie Players for grades 3-6, and ALFie Company for grades 5-10 with engaging performances in the fall and winter at Lanterman Auditorium.  Over the years, ALF Drama has performed plays in the summer but in 2017, ALF Summer School expanded their offerings to include more stage options for drama students.

 

In response to the changing times, ALF invited members of the professional community to establish an auxiliary.  Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals (CAP) was launched with 37 charter members in the fall of 1990 and certified in the fall of 1991. CAP philanthropic programs include CAPPY Bears for children at Verdugo Hills Hospital; CAP Care PACs for victims of trauma in the Emergency Room and at Union Station; SPROUTS, an early childhood enrichment program; annual scholarships for students graduating from one of the La Cañada high schools going on to vocational training or to a community college; Retired Service Volunteers and Operation School Bell.

 

Mary Ellen Hillgren served as President of Assistance League of Flintridge in 1980-1981, and as President of National Assistance League in 1983-1985. To honor her service to the community, in 1995, the Mary Ellen Hillgren Memorial Scholarship was established. Graduating seniors who are residents of La Cañada Flintridge and who attend La Cañada High School are invited to apply for these scholarships.  MEH scholarships are merit-based, awarded for excellence in character, extra-curricular activities, academic achievement and community service.  Recipients are selected by an ALF committee.

 

Operation School Bell® (OSB) is Assistance League’s national philanthropic program, operated by all chapters in their communities.  In April of 2005, the membership of Assistance League of Flintridge approved the addition of OSB to the Chapter’s list of philanthropic programs.  Operation School Bell works with the LCUSD to identify students in need and to provide new clothing and school supplies to these children.  Additionally, ALF partners with Assistance League of Pasadena to assist with their OSB program.  In 2016 Assistance League of Flintridge expanded Operation School Bell to include providing shoe vouchers and hygiene kits for homeless students in the Sunland-Tujunga area of Los Angeles Unified School District.

 

ALF members have also participated in one-time philanthropic projects organized by the Community Needs Assessment and Outreach committee.  The first in 2012, was the collection of needed items for “Skidettes,” an ecumenical group that makes sack lunches for individuals in need in the downtown area of “skid row.”  ALF has also participated in “Make A Difference Day,” a program through National Assistance League that provides books to children.  ALF’s recipients have been the Los Angeles County library, La Cañada Flintridge (2012), the Special Day classroom at Paradise Canyon Elementary (2013), the Apperson Elementary School library in Sunland (2014), Sunland Elementary School also in Sunland (2015), and Plainview Charter Academy in Tujunga (2016).  In 2017, a one-time donation was made to several students who have aged out of the foster care program in the Los Angeles County.

 

Former ALF programs include: Teen Tennis Tournament (1967-1989); Youth Employment Service (1969-2015); Scholastic Aptitude Test Review (1972-1998); College Application Essay (1989-2015); Career Testing and Counseling (1974-1994); and Community Cultural Awareness (1990-2002).

 

Assistance League of Flintridge has received the Les Tupper Community Service Award in 1971, 1995, and 2017; the District Honorary Service Award from the La Cañada Council of PTA for its service to the community; and in 1990 became the first recipient of the T.H.A.N.K.S. Award which was presented by the Governing Board of the La Cañada Unified School District in recognition of service to youth through a successful summer school program.  The RSVs received a special Les Tupper Award in May of 1989.

 

In 1993 the California State PTA awarded ALF its highest honor, the Golden Oak Service Award.  In 1995 ALF received the first Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award and the Les Tupper Community Service Award for the second time.  The Chapter received the Roger Barkley Community Center 2006 Gilbert Smith Service Award for service and dedication to the community.  The PTA Continuing Service Award was presented to ALF in 2008.  The La Cañada PTA Council’s Continuing Service Award was again presented to the Chapter in 2013.

 

In 2014 Assistance League of Flintridge celebrated its 60th anniversary. Commendations were presented by elected officials.  In the 2015-2016 year, the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce honored Assistance League of Flintridge for 65 years serving the community since 1951 when the Guild was established.  The City of La Cañada Flintridge honored the Assistance League of Flintridge at their May 17, 2016 City Council Meeting.

 

Currently there are over 120 Chapters within the organization.  Together there are 23,000 Assistance League members, all dedicated to service in their communities.  Each Chapter is responsible for raising funds to support its philanthropic programs and to control, administer, and staff the programs.

Phyllis Hersey, 1st President

1952

1953

1957

1960

1960s

1961

1963

1963 Assisteens

1970 Teen Tennis

1973

1989

1974

Bargain Box

1979

Bargain Box

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ALFie Singers

1994-1995 Assisteens