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.
Pictured from left, Dr. Mary Hairston, Assistant Director, Urban League, Head Start/Early Head Start; Dr. Gwendolyn Diggs, Vice President, Urban League Head Start/Early Head Start; Assistance League of St. Louis members Ruth Ellen Barr; ALSTL President Dawn Thomas; and Theresa Coons joined volunteer puppeteers plus other colorful, costumed book characters portrayed by Assistance League members to share their love for reading with 69 young children at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Head Start/Early Head Start in Jennings, MO.
On Friday, October 30, Assistance League’s 16 volunteer members in the costumes of children’s book characters paraded before the center’s infants, toddlers and preschoolers after the children enjoyed videotaped book readings and a puppet show--- also created by Assistance League. Each child then received two age-appropriate books while meeting and posing for photos with puppets and favorite characters. In addition, 10 new story books were added to the teachers' collections at the center. In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Assistance League's literacy program Books From Friends conducted multiple book festivals in elementary schools across St. Louis and provided over 13,000 books to aspiring readers.
Barnes & Noble West County Store has generously chosen Assistance League of St. Louis as their non-proft to benefit from a Book Drive to take place now through December 12.
When you make a purchase, at checkout you will be asked if you want to donate a new children's book to benefit AL's Books from Friends program. So far they have collected 820 new books for Assistance League!
Regular in-store shopping hours are from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Directions to the store available here.
Shop by phone by calling (314) 835-9980. Free curbside pickup is available.
WHY? Your purchases will help Books From Friends provide books to our aspiring readers and promote literacy in our St. Louis community!
Meet the People Who Help Us
