News & Events
What’s Happening at the Bargain Box!
Welcome Shoppers!
The Bargain Box Thrift Shop is pleased to be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and most Saturdays. Come in and see what we have in store for you!
Be sure to check out our themed special sales and holiday closures.
ALF Invites Membership in “ALFie Lites”
Assistance League of Flintridge recently announced a newly created “Community Volunteer” category designed for those who want to volunteer with ALF but without the responsibilities of full membership. Applications are actively being taken. ALF has been a part of the La Cañada Flintridge community since 1954 and currently has more than 200 members in all membership categories. However, ALF realizes there are many people in the community who would like to volunteer time with ALF but have family or work obligations that prevent them from joining. ALF wants to offer an opportunity to such individuals. The new category is designed to include adults over 19 years-old who would like to staff the Bargain Box for a limited number of hours each year. The new membership category is affectionately known as “ALFie Lites.” ALFie Lite members would commit to a minimum of five Bargain Box staffing days a year (each staffing is 3.5 hours), would need to be fingerprinted, receive a brief orientation and Bargain Box training. There is no further requirement to attend meetings, be on a committee or pay dues. Anyone interested in joining ALFie Lites should call the Chapter House at (818)790-1328 or email info@alflintridge.org.
ALFie Players Shined Bright in Annie KIDS
The ALFie Players production of “Annie KIDS” was held on Friday, October 28 at Lanterman Auditorium. Actors in grades 3-6 performed the heartwarming musical featuring spunky orphan Annie who shows Daddy Warbucks and her friends how to find hope and happiness in “Tomorrow.” The cast, directors, ALF members and parent volunteers all contributed to the success of the show and everyone had a great time. Congratulations all!
The Assistance League of Flintridge Drama program offers these after-school drama sessions to students in La Cañada Flintridge and the surrounding communities. Each session culminates in a free public performance at Lanterman Auditorium. The ALF Drama program is designed for beginners as well as experienced drama performers and everyone plays a part.
Look for future drama opportunities during ALF Summer School that registers in March 2023 for the summer program and ALF Drama that registers in August 2023 for the fall program.
Cast of Annie KIDS
Instrumental Music – The Beat Goes On
Since 1985, Assistance League of Flintridge has administered an Instrumental Music program during the school year for students in grades 4 through 6. Classes for the 2022-2023 season began the week of September 12 at the three La Cañada Unified School District elementary schools and at ALF. Students receive one hour per week of instruction in an ensemble setting supplemented by off-campus “sectionals” and extra practices. Instrument rental is available. The program is currently underway through May 2023. Registration for the new season for 2023-2024 will take place in August 2023. Check back later for further information.
Assisteens are Strengthening Community
Assisteens is an auxiliary of Assistance League of Flintridge that encourages and provides volunteer opportunities for young people in Grades 7 through 12. The goals are to develop a sense of both community and personal responsibility, self-reliance, public speaking and leadership skills. Assisteens raise money in a variety of ways to fund ongoing Assistance League philanthropic programs that benefit their community.
This year, Assisteens are meeting one Tuesday evening a month as well as staffing the Bargain Box Thrift Shop on Saturdays. The 2022-2023 season that began August 23 is currently underway through May 2023.. Registration will open for the 2023-2024 season in the spring of 2023. Look for an announcement and additional information then.
ALF Summer School 2022
ALF Summer School was so much fun! We have completed our activities and packed up for the summer. Be sure to check out the “Images of ALF Summer School 2022” photos by clicking the “More about…” link below. Hope to see you next year!
Students Awarded MEH Scholarships
The Mary Ellen Hillgren Memorial Scholarship, administered by Assistance League of Flintridge, was established in 1995 in memory of and tribute to a prominent and dedicated member of the La Cañada Flintridge community. Mrs. Hillgren believed in the public education system and she wished to encourage the accomplishments of students whenever possible. Every year, Assistance League of Flintridge awards MEH Scholarships to La Cañada High School seniors who will be attending a four-year college or university in the fall. A committee of ALF members reviews the applications and selects the recipients, based on academic achievement, character, extra-curricular activities and community service. The names of the recipients are engraved on a perpetual plaque that is displayed in the trophy case at the high school. Congratulations to the students who received the MEH Scholarship for 2022, Kamran Samudrala and Isabel Anderson.
2022 MEH Scholarship recipients, Kamran Samudrala & Isabel Anderson with Scholarship committee member, Lori Rotenberg (left)
CAP Awards Scholarship
Since 2001, the Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals has offered scholarships to further the education of students within La Cañada Flintridge and adjacent cities. Applicants for CAP Scholarships must attend a school in or around La Cañada Flintridge and plan to attend a two-year college or an accredited occupational program. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of merit with consideration given to career goals, achievements, community service and/or school involvement, and character.
This year, CAP is pleased to announce the recipient of the scholarship is La Cañada High School graduate, Kylie Sears. Kylie is attending Glendale Community College and plans to become a public policy lawyer. Kylie is an extraordinarily well-rounded student who played varsity volleyball and basketball, served as Vice President for Girls Who Code, has been involved with the Girl Scouts of America, receiving both the Silver and Gold Award and much more. Congratulations to Kylie for her contributions to the community. We wish her great success.
The applications for MEH and CAP scholarships for 2023 will available in the spring. Look for more information at that time.
2022 CAP Scholarship recipient, Kylie Sears with Scholarship committee member, Emily Khatchaturian (right)
Members Share at the Phil Faire
During a meeting of the membership, Assistance League of Flintridge members had the opportunity to learn more about philanthropic programs at the annual “Phil Faire.” Each of the chairmen representing Drama, Instrumental Music, Summer School, Operation School Bell, ALF in Action and Assisteens with their committees reached out to attendees and demonstrated what they do in their positions during the year. Members were able to sign-up right away for the jobs that appealed to them in addition to volunteering for shifts in the Bargain Box Thrift Shop.
Operation School Bell was Strong During COVID Shutdowns
Assisteens Give to Dog Therapy Program
Early in 2020, Assisteens were inspired and voted to support the Amerman Family Foundation dog therapy program at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Assisteens purchased 137 embroidered, lightweight jackets using funds earned while working in the Bargain Box Thrift Shop. The jackets were delivered to the hospital for volunteers to wear during their therapy sessions. Assisteens are pleased to support such a worthwhile program.
In Tune with Music
Drive-up services have been used for many years for many things, but Assistance League of Flintridge’s Instrumental Music program added a new twist to this experience during the pandemic: Drive-Up Tuning for string instruments. ALF made many modifications to its program due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Since the tuning process requires a specific skill set and students are not equipped to do it themselves, ALF devised Drive-Up Tuning sessions to meet this challenge. String Instructors, Sahak Karapetyan and Ripsi Yepremyan perfected the parking lot tuning process using the outside space at ALF. No one needed to leave their car; they just popped the trunk, removed the instrument, carefully tuned it, then returned it to the trunk. Students and their family members quickly realized and appreciated the difference a well-tuned instrument makes ~ a much more enjoyable experience for everyone!
Instrumental Music was pleased to return to in-person classes this year. “Stay tuned” for an announcement this summer about registration for the upcoming fall program for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students.
