Members devoted to their community
Make a difference
Our member volunteers manage a variety of programs to benefit underserved populations in the St. Louis metropolitan region. Each program has a unique delivery model and focus, from new school uniforms to shoes and socks, and from personal care items for crisis shelter clients to teddy bears for comfort.
In 2018-19, Assistance League of St. Louis through Operation School Bell® (includes “AL’s Closets” in many schools) provided each of 7,312 students with 24 items including uniforms and hygiene products. In addition, through Steps to Success, Assistance League provided shoes and socks to 4,011 students. National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis also provided many of the same items to some of these children and others in the St. Louis Public Schools.
This year, these two organizations have joined forces! Overlapping services to the same schools and children has been eliminated. All children in the St. Louis Public Schools previously served continue to receive the same items. But, many additional students from other qualifying St Louis Public Schools which had not been served because of budget limitations have been added to the program!
Other Assistance League programs that provide inventory for AL’s Closets in the schools include My Own Fun Stuff, Operation Hug, and Books from Friends. National Council of Jewish Women maintains a Kids Community Closet in some schools.
ALSTL member Mary Reinagel of Ballwin (left) watches as a student learns about playing the trombone from John Malvin (right) of Collinsville, Il., was among 13 St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Association Members at Assistance League of St. Louis' third uniform fitting on Thursday, August 29. The SLSO volunteers demonstrated how to play orchestra instruments to 60 Kindergarten through fifth-grade students from Woerner Elementary School in South St. Louis, while the children waited to be fitted for uniforms.
On August 27, Assistance League member volunteers began fitting children from 33 schools. Fittings are scheduled over 60 dressing days and end in late January. School children are coming for fittings from the school districts of Ferguson-Florissant, Hazelwood, Jennings, Normandy and St. Louis City. Each year, through its Operation School Bell® program, Assistance League volunteers contribute 5,700 hours to the program.
Read more ...
