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. The store is staffed entirely by members who are volunteers. Come check us out!
We regularly have themed special sales and events.
Be sure to review our guidelines for donations, holiday dates, and hours of operation below.
ALFie Players Celebrate Disney’s “Frozen”
Thirty young actors in grades 3 through 6 lit up the Lanterman Auditorium stage on October 6 with the Assistance League of Flintridge’s ALFie Players production of “Frozen KIDS.” More than 400 community members, family and friends enthusiastically applauded, cheered, and sang along with the live performance that included all the beloved characters and music from the popular Disney story.
The musical was directed by Katelyn Fike, with assistant director, Tristan Waldron. Piano accompaniment was provided by long-time ALF member, Nancy Abbott. Many of the actors’ family members joined in and helped with the box office, hair & make-up, costumes, refreshments and more. Everyone’s hard work and support really showed during this one-time event!
The next ALF Drama program will be ALFie Company’s winter presentation of “Shrek the Musical JR.” for grades 5 through 10. Registration opens on Monday, November 13, at noon. The cost is $325 per student. Rehearsals begin January 16 and the performance is March 8.
The Beat Goes On With ALF Instrumental Music
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 2023-2024 season will be held 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. Two concerts are held for band and string students in the winter and spring. Registration for Instrumental Music opened on Thursday, August 17 and classes began the week of September 11.
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.
For the 2023-2024 season, Assisteens will meet on one Monday evening a month as well as staff the Bargain Box Thrift Shop on Saturdays. The program has begun and students are busy working on their projects.
ALF Summer School 2023
ALF Summer School was a Sizzling Success
Our 4-week sessions for grades 1-6 at Palm Crest Elementary wrapped up on Friday, July 14. Students enjoyed a variety of enrichment classes with fun activities and hands-on learning. Thank you to all the educational staff and ALF members who contributed to the success of the program.
We look forward to seeing you next year!
Bargain Box at the Lanterman House
On Sunday, May 28, Bargain Box Thrift Shop participated in the “Summer Picnic & Ukulele Rendezvous” with the Lanterman Docent Council, other nonprofit organizations, and local artisans ALF volunteers staffed a vintage table and spent the afternoon engaged with community members on the beautiful grounds. Proceeds from the sale of vintage merchandise directly benefited Assistance League of Flintridge community programs.
Happy Memorial Day
On Monday, May 29, Assistance League of Flintridge participated in the annual Fiesta Days Parade. ALF members had so much fun! A big thank you to everyone who cheered us on and for the community for supporting the Bargain Box Thrift Shop.
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 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.
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.
Look for announcements of the 2023 MEH Scholarship recipients shortly.
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 recipients of the CAP scholarship, Nicholas Kahdian and Inesa Wenn (not pictured.)
2023 CAP Scholarship recipient, Nicholas Kahdian with his family
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 for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons. “Stay tuned” for an announcement this summer about registration for the upcoming fall program for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students.
