Thank You Friends of Assistance League of Charlotte!
Your generous support empowers us to continue and expand our philanthropic programs that support children and families in our community. Thrift Shop proceeds, financial donations, and community and corporate grants provide funding for our philanthropic programs. Here are some highlights of our recent expansions and stewardship:
PEOPLE
- Thrift Shop success continues largely in part to our increased customer base and dedicated member volunteers who process and price donations, keeping the shop stocked with quality merchandise.
- Membership increased with more than 15 new members since June 1, 2019.
PROGRAMS
- Providing essential kitchen items for new Habitat for Humanity families through Heart of the Home, an expansion of Operation Check Hunger.
- Teaming up with Target to provide non-school uniform middle school students a clothing shopping experience expanding Operation School Bell® .
PARTNERING
- Continuing strong dynamic collaborations with Second Harvest Food Bank, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Mecklenburg County Court, Barnes & Noble, La-Z-Boy and Target.
- We're sharing our knowledge nationwide. Two Charlotte member volunteers are involved on the national level in Corporate Marketing and planning of the National Assistance League Bi-Annual Conference.
TECHNOLOGY
- Giving Tuesday online campaign resulted in more than $12,000 donated.
- Updating technology through Survey Monkey improving processes and record keeping.
- High school and college students applying for Assistance League of Charlotte Scholarships online this year.
AWARENESS
- A recent televised address to the Charlotte City Council increases awareness and needs of our organization.
EQUITY
- Paid $50,000 toward the building mortgage principal in addition to the regular monthly payments.
The needs of students and families continue to rise. Your financial contributions and grants, as well as your gifts of time, talent and treasure allow us to continue boldly expanding and creating new and innovative programs for current and future generations.
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Laura Gallagher
2019-2020 President
Assistance League of Charlotte
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James Hunt with donated coats
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Ski Country Outdoors
asked Assistance League how they could help us help kids. James Hunt, manager of the store, decided to host a coat drive, held at Brawley's Beverage, a local brewery. Customers were asked to bring gently used coats in exchange for a percentage-off coupon on a new coat from their store. Thank you Ski Country Outdoors, James Hunt and Brawley's for hosting an occasion which provided such a large donation of warm, nice coats which were then sold through our Thrift Shop. Profits used from these sales support our mission to help kids and transform lives. This very successful party may be held again next year!
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At any given moment, there are approximately 4,000 children in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) system without stable housing.They live in shelters, motels, at a relative's home or in a car. McKinney-Vento Program counselors, using items in The Homeless Closet for CMS students, provide basic needs to these children. The Closet and counselors reach students from Pre-K through High School.
Assistance League of Charlotte's Operation School Bell Program helps stock The Homeless Closet with necessities like socks and underwear. In addition, we provide personal hygiene supplies including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, body wash and sanitary pads.
Statistics show that girls miss 2 to 4 days of school each month due to a lack of sanitary pads. This reduction in their hours in the classroom, due to a lack of a basic product that most of us take for granted, is not conducive to success in school. To help these girls succeed in school and graduate, ALC is supplying 2,000 sanitary pads each quarter. Our goal is to improve attendance of these students which can have a very positive impact on their education.
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Director of McKinney-Vento/Homeless Closet, Sonia Jenkins, speaking to our members about how we can help her and her counselors assist children in need in CMS.
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Operation Check Hunger Serves in Many Ways
Operation Check Hunger continues to be a strong program for Assistance League of Charlotte with focus on relieving hunger among students by providing food for at-risk children in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. Operation Check Hunger (OCH) has several opportunities to provide food through the backpack program, providing snacks to Metro School, an in-school pantry and mobile pantries. For the current school year we have sponsored six mobile pantries to date providing food to approximately 640 families with the largest mobile pantry being at Merry Oaks Elementary where we served 191 families. Our volunteers remain strong in support of OCH!
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New Philanthropic Program Underway
In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, Assistance League of Charlotte's newest philanthropic program began serving new Habitat homeowners in December. Nineteen families moving into their homes in the Milhaven neighborhood in North Charlotte are receiving new items for their kitchens. Items provided by Assistance League include bake-ware, pots and pans, cooking utensils, mixing bowls, liquid and dry measuring cups and spoons, cutlery sets and cutting board, colander, silverware and silverware tray, sets of dishes and glasses, a food storage set, dish towels, dish cloths and pot holders, dish rack and drainer, sponges, tall garbage bin with lid, a broom and dust pan and a mop and bucket. Families may also choose three small electrical appliances; such as a microwave, toaster oven, hand mixer, coffee maker, small toaster or slow cooker.
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Community Scholarships Empower Students
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The Community Scholarships Committee hopes to make a difference by providing scholarships for youth in our community. Assistance League of Charlotte provided $18,500 to the nonprofit Arts+ this fiscal year for group and private arts education through scholarships.
"We know the benefits of an arts education extend far beyond the here and now. Arts training can help students develop skills such as problem solving and critical thinking, empowering them to achieve success in other areas of life." Arts+
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L to R: Robin Hearn, Sandy White,
Sarah Lanners Avinger, Arts+ Director of Annual Giving, Cheryl DeMaio,
Mary Lou Grgurich
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Here are what the music instructors are saying about some of our scholarship/financial aid recipients:
Harp Student, Age 12
"This year, she has developed a lot of poise and stage presence to add to her performances on the harp!" Instructor: Christine Van Arsdale
Piano Student, Age 8
"She is doing very well this year. She is preparing two pieces for Festival Competition - performing from memory! She is practicing, she is very serious about learning and is making good progress. She is very smart and very well behaved, and I am proud of her." Instructor: Dzidra Reimanis
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Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community
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Assistance League of Charlotte | 704-525-5228
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