About Us
From the President
 A Message from the President……………
Assistance League of San Antonio, is a chapter of National Assistance League® and was established in 1984 and Chartered in 1988 as a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. We have no paid staff. Our success is based on our 490 members who have volunteered more than 66,000 hours in 2007-08. This represents an estimated dollar amount of $1,200,000 in gifts of service. Our satisfaction is feeling that we have had a positive impact on the lives of the 44,519 at risk and disadvantaged area residents, mainly children, in our community whom we have served.
Our members participate directly by not only giving of their time but also their money to the seven philanthropic programs. These efforts have not gone unrecognized, and we were honored to receive the prestigious Outstanding Philanthropic Organization of San Antonio award for our dedication and service to the community. The following is an update on our philanthropic programs.
I’m In Charge
I’m in Charge is a safety program which is presented in the school classrooms of children as well as during the time children are waiting their turn to shop in the Operation School Bell® Store. They are shown a video followed by an interactive presentation by our members regarding personal safety. This year 10,000 children benefited from this program and were given a safety booklet to take home to share with their parents and siblings.
Operation School Bell ®
Operation School Bell is the flagship program for National Assistance League. Over a million children have received new clothes throughout our nation since it began in 1957. During the 2007-08 school year, San Antonio Assistance League served 2,975 disadvantaged and at risk children, K through 5 representing 16 area Schools. Children are identified by administrators and school counselors and brought to our facility where the Operation School Bell store is located. Children try on and select their choice of brand new clothes, shoe vouchers and books. When they leave to go back to their school bus they always say, “Thank You Nice Ladies”, with the biggest smile on their faces and a bag of new clothes in their arms. Additionally uniform vouchers were provided to 1,050 children in area schools where they were needed. We are told by school administrators that improvement in attendance, grades and self esteem is evident when children feel good about themselves. Grants are awarded to teachers for aid in the enrichment of their classroom activities. This program affected 2,078 elementary students in 2007-08.
Togs for Tots
Infants and preschoolers, are given new clothing, a “Watch Me Grow” developmental booklet, a personal grooming kit and a book. They have been identified by 30 community agencies with whom we have contracts such as: “Any Baby Can” and “Blessed Sacrament.” The gowns for infants are lovingly sewn by members, and new clothes are purchased by our member volunteer buyers. Many of the parents are only given these clothes as a reward following the completion of required Parenting Classes. Four thousand one hundred twenty nine (4,129) children benefited from this program last year. Due to the influx of babies from West Texas we provided 34 sets of clothing and 13 cribs and mattresses to help meet the emergency needs of Baptist Child and Family Services
Watch Me Grow
This is a booklet which was compiled in cooperation with University of Texas Health Science Center and contains important developmental, nutritional and immunization information for parents of children from newborn to five years of age. This year 23,200 books have been distributed through private and community agencies. Watch Me Grow is available in both English and Spanish on the website. The English version may be downloaded and printed.
CAPS (Caps Art Promotes Smiles)
Caps are decorated and taken to health care facilities such as Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Ronald McDonald House and others to be given to acutely ill children who are undergoing treatment. A brightly decorated Cap was given to 975 children. Our volunteers get great joy in decorating these colorful Caps.
Adopt-A-Resident
Our members give the gift of time to 65 senior citizens through one-on-one relationships. They enjoy spending time with the lonely senior residents of Chandler House playing games, hosting parties and giving style shows with merchandise from our thrift store. The residents always look forward to the activities and mark their calendars for the next event.
College Scholarships
Selected Junior and Senior college students enrolled in four year programs in the San Antonio area are awarded $2,000 scholarships to help them earn their degree. This year 12 student scholarships were awarded to extremely qualified and deserving students. Our hope is to see that number increase each year. Scholarship information, applications and deadline information is available on this website.
Assistance League of San Antonio is very grateful to our loyal friends and foundations for their generosity and support throughout the years. We could not have accomplished what we have were it not for their support. Foundations who so willingly give to our community have improved the lives of literally thousands and we thank them for that.
We recently completed enlarging our Thrift House to accommodate growing demands for space in our Thrift Store and for the Philanthropic Programs. We are so proud of our “new” facility and would love to “show it off” and encourage you to visit us any time during store hours. Our THRIFT STORE, is a resale shop and a major source of income which funds our programs.
Donations of items are welcome and are received any time during regular hours.
Members receive, process and sell all merchandise for the Thrift Shop.
Thrift House: 2611 West Ave.
Tuesday through Friday-10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday-10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For Estate Sale Donations please call 732-1200 to arrange for pick up.
Thank you for visiting our Website and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Yvonne L. Kohutek, President
Assistance League of San Antonio
 |
Assistance League of San Antonio: Quick Facts |
- Largest active membership of Assistance League Chapters in the country
- Current membership - 491
- Located at 2611 West Avenue
- Touched the lives of over 65,000 members of the San Antonio community last year
- 100% of philanthropic work done by volunteers
- Last year’s volunteer hours - 66,000
- Major source of funds for philanthropic work - Thrift House at 2611 West Avenue
- Projects serviced through agencies, schools and organizations that verify needs of individuals
- Sponsors seven Philanthropic Programs:
- Adopt A Resident - gift of time and friendship to Chandler Nursing Home residents
- C.A.P.S. - donation of 950 caps last year to acutely ill children and teens in local hospitals
- College Scholarships - Twelve $2000 scholarships to qualifying juniors and seniors
- I'm In Charge - reaches over 6,000 elementary students with a program about personal safety
- Operation School Bell - provides school clothes for over 4,000 elementary children in need of clothing in order to attend school
- Togs for Tots - provides clothing for more than 5,600 children from birth to age five at the request of 27 community agencies
- Watch Me Grow - distributes over 20,000 booklets as a guide for parents about the developmental stages of their children
|
