Fall Newsletter 2018
 
Starting the School Year Right
 
Getting school supplies is a late summer ritual for students and teachers.  Frequently teachers shop for class room items at our Thrift Shop.  Recently a customer checking out mentioned that she would be teaching art this year for the first time. She was buying supplies for her classroom such as plastic baskets and other art related items. As she was informed of the total cost, a woman and her young son who were waiting in line came up to the register. They thanked her for her dedication to her students and pressed a $20 bill into her hand to defray her expenses, knowing she was paying out of her pocket for her students' benefit.
The teacher was stunned and then became very appreciative and emotional as she thanked the woman and her son for their generosity and good wishes. Customers and member volunteers were delighted to witnessed this wonderful act of kindness.
What a  pay it forward moment!



Operation School Bell® Media Day Open House Success!

There were smiles all around as area children in need visited our center for Operation School Bell!  Area dignitaries, CMS employees, Second Harvest partners and even Sir Purr of the Carolina Panthers and Blaze from the Charlotte Fire Department all smiled while serving as "personal shoppers" for CMS students.
Our member volunteers smile every Tuesday through Friday as CMS students selected by CMS arrive to choose their school uniforms, jackets, shoes and more in our Operation School Bell "store" but their smiles were even brighter with help from our community partners and mascots.


Madison Brooks Volunteered

We're appreciative that Madison found time in her busy  UNCC schedule to volunteer today at Assistance League of Charlotte.  She helped sort children's clothing, preparing them for pricing for the Thrift Shop.  She is our $10,000 2017/2018 scholarship recipient.




Grants Committee Update:

Assistance League of Charlotte is able to increase the number of people served each year through generous grants from foundations and charities with similar missions to ours.  This fiscal year the following have provided support:

Publix Super Markets Charities
The Blumenthal Foundation
Philip L. Van Every Foundation
The Leon Levine Foundation Sandra and Leon Levine
North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission
The Merancas Foundation

President's Message


All across Mecklenburg County children are happy to be back in school not just for the learning or seeing friends like you would think, but because they will not be hungry today. 



You have helped to feed them by:
  • providing over 400 weekend backpacks filled with enough food for a family of four to supplement each weekend meals.
  • financing nine mobile food pantries at three high-need schools. Families are invited to select canned items, fresh produce, bread, meat and eggs. Families typically leave with 40-50 pounds of food. Up to 200 participating school families are served at each event.
  • providing in-school emergency food pantries where families have access to food during temporary times of need.
  • providing protein through large donations of ground turkey, beef, chicken to Second Harvest Food Bank and Loaves and Fishes.
Mecklenburg County, children are excited to go to school because they have what they need to feel good about themselves. 

You have helped increase their self-esteem and improved their attendance by:
  • providing school uniforms, shoes, books, winter coat, basic hygiene supplies, underwear, socks
  • providing much needed school supplies
Mecklenburg County, students are able to improve their future because you helped by:
  • providing financial aid to attend a university, junior college or trade school
  • providing scholarships for summer camps to help with academics and structured social activities
  • providing music classes and instruments
All across Mecklenburg County young people are not limited because of one bad decision. Young people are also given the opportunity to experience personal growth. 

You have helped them by:
  • giving an offender a second chance with a diversionary program through Mecklenburg County Teen Court. Defendants admit their guilt, agree to be tried by a jury of their peers, and take responsibility for their actions
  • allowing teen volunteers to experience the legal process as members of the court in different positions thus helping them to learn communication, leadership and diversity skills.
 
Thanks to all of you who are thoughtful and generous enough to donate your gently used items for sale in our Thrift Shop.
Thanks to all of you who have donated your hard earned dollars to Assistance League of Charlotte.
Thanks to all of you who have spread the word about Assistance League of Charlotte and the impact the help of one can have on so many!

Lynn Pazder
President Assistance League Charlotte
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