Assistance League® of San Antonio

Community Outreach - Philanthropic Programs

C.A.P.S. ("Cap Arts Promotes Smiles")

In June, 1998, C.A.P.S. was implemented by the Assistance League of San Antonio to provide decorated baseballs caps for chronically or acutely ill children (toddlers through teens) in various hospitals, rehab units, or establishments which provide a "home away from home" during treatment. The caps are delivered on a monthly basis and are given out by hospital staff as needed - for "good" days; for "bad" days; for "Going Home" days; birthdays, etc.

We currently provide caps to the Cancer Therapy Research Center, three Ronald McDonald Houses, North Central Baptist Hospital, the Fisher House at Wilford Hall Hospital located on Lackland Air Force Base, Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital and Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital, bringing our monthly total to 125 caps. We have approximately 32 volunteer "artists" who meet twice a month to use their creativity and humor to decorate the hats. Our project has grown from its beginning with one hospital in 1997-98 to which 60 caps per month were delivered, to our current 8 hospitals and agencies that receive 125 caps per month.

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:
  1. Adopt A Resident - gift of time and friendship to Chandler Nursing Home residents
  2. C.A.P.S. - donation of 950 caps last year to acutely ill children and teens in local hospitals
  3. College Scholarships - Twelve $2000 scholarships to qualifying juniors and seniors
  4. I'm In Charge - reaches over 6,000 elementary students with a program about personal safety
  5. Operation School Bell - provides school clothes for over 4,000 elementary children in need of clothing in order to attend school
  6. Togs for Tots - provides clothing for more than 5,600 children from birth to age five at the request of 27 community agencies
  7. Watch Me Grow - distributes over 20,000 booklets as a guide for parents about the developmental stages of their children