News
Karen Silverman, NCJWSTL, Denise McKibben, ALSTL & Renee Sigel-Hearst, NCJWSTL
Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) and the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis (NCJWSTL) will share a $50,000 grant from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust to provide clothing and supplies to elementary school students. Each organization received $25,000 to stock shared school closets with uniforms, belts, underwear, socks, fleece jackets, hats, gloves, coats, dental kits, hygiene products and period supplies. Students have access to these necessary items throughout the school year.
There are 12 closets covered by the grant, seven in the St. Louis Public School system and five in the Normandy School Collaborative. They are called AL’s Closets / Kids Community Closets. ALSTL also operates 28 other AL’s Closets independently in six school districts. “Teachers, social workers and counselors use the closet when a child comes to school in a uniform that doesn’t fit, isn’t clean or becomes soiled during the day. It also is used when a new student is enrolled who doesn’t have a uniform or resources to buy a uniform,” explained Denise McKibben, ALSTL member-volunteer, who worked as a liaison between the two organizations on this grant project.
Increased school attendance is one of the many benefits of having a school closet, said Cierra Evans, the Family Engagement Liaison for Jefferson Elementary School in the Normandy School Collaborative. When children can get replacement clothing, they are more likely to attend school because they feel more confident, she added.
This is the second year that ALSTL shared a Dana Brown grant with NCJWSTL for school closets. Last year’s grant was $20,000 for each organization. “ALSTL will explore other areas where it can collaborate with NCJWSTL to avoid duplication of services,” McKibben said. “The two organizations have a very good working relationship.” Their partnership started in 2018. Renee Sigel-Hearst, Director of Community Impact at NCJWSTL, said “Our mutual cooperation for the closets is effortless, as both of our organizations have a deep commitment to children and families.”
ALSTL President Sandy Thal said, “Our partnership continues to thrive as we join forces to serve even greater numbers of students in our community. Dana Brown Charitable Trust (DBCT) encourages nonprofits to work together and it allowed us to add more school closets. “More closets equal more students having access to school uniforms, coats and other essentials throughout the school year. DBCT is more than a generous financial resource. It is a guiding force in our community to increase the impact on the lives of the students we serve,” Thal said.
AL’s Closets are an important part of ALSTL Operation School Bell (OSB) program. Volunteers stock and maintain 40 closets during the school year. “We work together (with NCJWSTL) to make sure our future leaders have all the needed items to be present at school to focus on their studies,” OSB Chair Pam Bogosian said.
Elizabeth Welsh, NCJWSTL Director of Development, coordinated the grant-writing efforts with Sigel-Hearst and Susan Peters, ALSTL Corporate and Foundation Support Chair. McKibben and Dawn Thomas, Vice President of Programs, were also on the grant team.
The DBCT honors the legacy of St. Louis entrepreneur, philanthropist and adventurer, Dana Brown. It provides organizations the chance to have a strong positive impact on the St. Louis region, specifically for those who are least capable of helping themselves: children and animals.
Nestle Purina employee Belle Plew presents gifts of litter and pet food coupons to Assistance League of St. Louis Outreach Co-Chair Diane Burkard
A St. Louis area family lost everything in a devastating house fire, including two beloved pets. Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) stepped up to help the family move beyond the tragedy—and to find a new cat.
When volunteers on the ALSTL Outreach team learned of the family’s crisis, they were quickly able to provide new beds, bedding, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, bathroom and kitchen necessities, clothing and shoes. But that still left a hole in the family’s life because they were grieving the loss of their two kitties. Jazhara, age 10, was especially saddened by the loss.
“Because our referrals come through school and community social workers, we don’t usually meet the families we serve, but things were different this time. I am a real animal lover, and when I discovered that on top of everything else, the family had lost their pets, my heart just went out to them. Then, when I learned that they were hoping for a new kitty, I knew what I had to do,” explained ALSTL Outreach Co-Chair Diane Burkard.
Diane searched and located a cat, met Mom at the shelter to handle paperwork, and a cat named O’Malley officially became part of the family. For Jazhara, it was love at first sight!
But Diane didn’t stop there. She wondered if Nestle Purina, her former employer, might also assist the family. Because Assistance League of St. Louis has worked with the corporation in other ways, ALSTL Public Relations Chair Jayne Foley was able to point Diane to just the right contact. Thanks to Tyller Cathey in Public Relations, Nestle Purina came through with a generous gift of food and litter, and Diane added the other accessories needed to welcome a new pet.
ALSTL President Sandy Thal said, “During February when people celebrate love, this family experienced caring and compassion from our dedicated volunteers, who work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure St. Louis area children and families have what they need to pursue their goals. Sometimes a little assistance is all it takes to change lives.”
To learn more about Assistance League of St. Louis, visit our What We Do page.
Once again ALSTL’s Books from Friends (BFF) volunteers were out in force—and in costume—at the St. Louis Public Schools’ second Literacy for the Lou celebration, held in December at the Missouri History Museum. And they were in good company! The event featured a variety of well-known guest authors, including Super Bowl champ and children’s author Malcolm Mitchell; Eric Litwin, author of the popular Pete the Cat series; and Tom Phillips, a middle grade mystery writer. The celebration is part of the St. Louis Public Schools’ Literacy for the Lou initiative, which develops partnerships as a vital link to make reading and learning more enjoyable and accessible, with the ultimate goal of making a brighter future for all students in the district.
In addition to meeting and greeting students and their families, BFF costumed storybook characters distributed two free age-appropriate books to each child and staged a puppet show based on the book Why Not You? Volunteers brought a variety of puppets to ensure that the puppet actors looked like the children in the audience. This attention to detail reflects a goal of both Books from Friends and Literacy for the Lou, which is to provide books that children can relate to, with characters that look like them. In total, volunteers distributed more than 800 new books, including copies of Are Your Stars Like My Stars?, ALSTL’s newest selection, which includes suggested activities for families to do while sharing the book.
Books from Friends Co-Chair Mindy Hellmich said, “Participating in Literacy for the Lou is a natural for us since the event mirrors the goals of our program. It builds on the work we do throughout the school year to distribute books to students at interactive book festivals and through book donations delivered to the schools by our volunteer liaisons. Research shows that having access to books at an early age is a significant factor in children learning to read. That’s why we work hard to build home libraries - one reader at a time!”
Mindy’s Program Co-Chair Sue Long added, “We’re looking forward to the next Literacy for the Lou event scheduled for June. We’ll be there to help build those home libraries so that students have books to read during the summer months when they’re away from school!”
Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) is so grateful for the generous support of local businesses and their clients during the holiday season. FORD Foodservice Equipment Co. and three Lindell Bank branches collected books for aspiring young readers in some of our region’s most vulnerable communities. The books will be distributed at Books from Friends interactive book festivals in early learning settings to build home libraries, one reader at a time. FORD, a new ALSTL partner this year, also donated dishes, glasses and cleaning supplies to assist students and families in transition through ALSTL’s Outreach program.
Studio 314, a second-year partner, and the office of Dr. Laurie C. Burke collected bedding for ALSTL programs over the past two months. Individual West County Chamber of Commerce members also provided much-needed items for ALSTL Outreach and Operation School Bell. John Hoover and his mother, with funding from Thrivent, once again donated hats and gloves, which were packaged by some of the members at the December Chamber meeting. Sheila Roberts of West News Magazine donated blankets and hairbrushes.
ALSTL Public Relations Chair Jayne Foley said, “We continue to be overwhelmed with the generosity of our community partners, who make such a difference for those we serve.” Sandy Thal, ALSTL President, added, “At holiday time and throughout the year, we value the support of our community partners. Sometimes a little assistance is all it takes to change a life!”
Assistance League of St. Louis says a big “thank you” to Republic Services for once again collecting toys for the children and families we serve, a tradition that they have done for many years. We are also grateful to OsteoStrong Chesterfield for continuing the tradition for a second year and to OsteoStrong Creve Coeur for joining the effort this season.
This year’s toys will be distributed through the school districts we serve, bringing joy to students in transition and offering relief to parents working hard to provide stability during challenging times. The Assistance League member volunteers worked hard (and had a blast) sorting toys for distribution.
ALSTL President Sandy Thal said, “The toy collection is a wonderful example of how by working with our valued community partners, we increase our impact. It’s also an example of how much fun it is to be an ALSTL member volunteer and work alongside others to make a difference for children and families in our region. Together, we’re transforming lives and spreading holiday cheer—one toy at a time!”
A donation is delivered at ALSTL headquarters, left to right: Sandy Brody - ALSTL President-Elect, Keith Krewson - Treasurer for West County Woodcarvers Club, Sandy Thal - ALSTL President, and Larry Keller - President of West County Woodcarvers Club.
The West County Woodcarvers Club donated $705 to the Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) on Nov. 14. The donation was proceeds from the club’s carved wood ornament sales. Their ornaments include mosaic-like designs, festive painted Santas, and traditional ornament shapes.
Club Treasurer Keith Krewson said their collaboration with ALSTL “was a win for both associations.” The Woodcarvers Club gained an increase in customers at their sales events, which resulted in their largest annual donation. Each year they select a different charity. Their organization promotes woodcarving and teaches various carving skills, techniques, and methods.
ALSTL President Sandy Thal said she was thankful that the club chose the Assistance League to receive its donation.
On Saturday, October 19, Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) members were out in force—and in costumes—at the 23rd annual Gumbo Flats Pumpkin Run. For the 4th consecutive year, a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the five community programs of ALSTL.
Members and their families walked and ran, and costumed Books from Friends volunteers generated excitement as they brought storybook characters to life. Kids always love seeing Waldo, Minnie, Clifford, Inky the Octopus, a giant slice of pizza, dinosaurs, and others, but this year, even the adults asked to pose for pictures with their favorites.
Jayne Foley, ALSTL Public Relations Chair said, “It turned out to be a beautiful day for the run, but we especially appreciate our members who braved the darkness and chill in the early morning hours to set up the ALSTL booth for this event.”
ALSTL President Sandy Thal added, “We are grateful to the Chesterfield Regional Chamber of Commerce for once again selecting us as a beneficiary of the event. The proceeds will support our work in enhancing student success and helping women and families in crisis. We love being part of the Pumpkin Run, which is always a highlight on our fall calendars!”
View the article in the September 18 edition of Town & style, page 7.
Pictured on the cover: Clockwise from top left Kentaya Walker, Gala Chair Jamie Kay Cook, Connie Harvey, St. Louis Community College Foundation Executive Associate Mary Ries, and Assistance League President Sandy Thal
Congratulations, Sandy, on being elected president of Assistance League of St. Louis.
How long have you been a member, and what are some of your past areas of service?
I joined Assistance League in Spring 2017. Prior to that, during my 16 years in the corporate world, my work was in operations, so I guess it was natural that I gravitated toward this area of service. I also earned a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development at Maryville University in 2014, so that, too, influenced my choices. My first role in Assistance League was as Archives Chair. After that I served as V.P. Membership, followed by Website Chair and Assistance League University (ALU) Chair. Next came V.P. Education, V.P. Marketing and Graphic Design Chair. Finally, during 2023-24, I was President-Elect, which gave me an opportunity to learn about all aspects of the organization before taking on the President role this year.
Serving as president is a big job. What is it about ALSTL that motivated you to make such a commitment?
Three things quickly come to mind. First, of course, is our mission. I love being part of an organization that makes such a tremendous difference in the lives of so many children and adults each year. Whether it’s literacy, scholarships, support of shelters, providing one-time assistance to individuals and families in crisis, or meeting basic needs of school children with clothing and shoes, we are transforming lives!
Second, I continue to be impressed with the professionalism of our organization. Because we are volunteer-driven, our committee chairs may change from year to year. We know how important it is to be a reliable partner in the community, and we put systems in place to help ensure seamless transitions and continuity.
The third thing that inspires me is the people. There’s a saying in volunteer circles that while most people initially volunteer because they want to do good and make a difference in our world, it is often the relationships they develop with others that keep them involved. When I first joined Assistance League, I saw only a few familiar faces. Working alongside other members, I got to know, value and respect my fellow volunteers, and now some have become very good friends. It’s exciting to play a role in enabling so many talented women and men to share their passion for doing good.
What’s on your priority list, Sandy?
Continuing to build bridges into the community and strengthening our partnerships is at the top of the list. For example, we’ve partnered with the National Council of Jewish Women for several years to provide clothing for students in elementary schools that we both serve. Depending on the school, NCJW might furnish the coats and we provide the school uniforms. When we were advised by our contact at the Dana Brown Charitable Trust to highlight our collaboration with other nonprofits, we worked with NCJW to apply for a grant together. Because of that grant request, we gained greater support from Dana Brown. It is our goal to continue to engage with other nonprofits to ensure our investment in the community can be even more far reaching. We’ve done that with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and hope to continue that practice.
Another priority is finalizing a 3-5 year strategic plan that sets clear goals and objectives to guide us into the future. The plan is based on our own research, with guidance from the consulting firm IllumiLab. Sarah Buek from IllumiLab facilitated a number of sessions for our board, chairs and members, exploring the importance of making our work as impactful as possible by being more intentional about who, where and how we serve. This approach combines critical transformational programs that empower those we serve to become more self-sufficient in the long run with transactional programs that focus on addressing more immediate needs.
Expanding our membership base is a third goal. When our organization began in 1987, all of our members were women, and only a few had careers outside the home. As we grew, we attracted many retirees from teaching, nursing and other fields of service. More recently, both men and women still in the workforce have discovered that our flexible membership requirements allow them to get involved. One new member took on the role of chair of our fall fundraiser, Casino Royale. Another is using her skills in graphic design to help build our brand. One man, a PR/marketing retiree, and another, who is just starting his professional career in photography, are bringing their talents and experience to help tell our story. As our organization continues to evolve, we want to make sure people of all ages and backgrounds know of the opportunities we offer. We value the wisdom, experience and ongoing commitment of our veteran members as we welcome the enthusiasm and new ideas of incoming members.
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Thanks, Sandy, for taking a few minutes to share your vision. It’s clear that with you at the helm, this will be another very busy year for Assistance League of St, Louis!
Pete the Cat, Minnie Mouse, Barbie and an array of storybook characters, all costumed volunteers from Assistance League of St. Louis, greeted families at the Urban League Back to School Expo on July 20. After the grand opening, the Books from Friends volunteers hosted a booth at the event. Aspiring young readers who visited the booth received age-appropriate books to take home, with 6,500 books being distributed during the Expo. Visitors also had a chance to meet local guest author Micheal Anderson, whose Zoey Lyndon series is a favorite with middle grade students. Ms. Anderson donated 350 autographed copies of Zoey books and personalized them for the children. 
Sue Long, co-chair of Books from Friends said, “Research shows that having access to books at an early age is key to learning to read. That’s why putting books in the hands of young children is an essential component of our program. Last year as our volunteers visited and read with children at Head Start programs, schools and other early childhood settings, we distributed nearly 19,000 books.” Sue’s co-chair Mindy Hellmich added, “We like to say, ‘We’re building home libraries - one reader at a time!’”
Urban League CEO and President Michael McMillan stopped by the Assistance League booth before the Expo grand opening to thank Books from Friends volunteers for consistently showing up to support St. Louis children and families in literacy. Assistance League of St. Louis President Sandy Thal explained, “Partnerships with other nonprofits help ensure that our investment in the community can be even more far reaching. We value our relationship with the Urban League and work hard to be a trusted community partner.”
