Written by Carol Barry
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
The dedicated volunteers of Assistance League of Greater Placer ARE ROCK STARS! They accept positions of leadership, fill up committees, liaison with county agencies, organize fund raisers and work behind the scenes.
Amazing as their generosity is, what is REALLY AMAZING is how many other ways our Assistance League members contribute to human welfare. In other words, their gifts of time and expertise may go deep into our Chapter, but they don’t stop there!
One of our longtime members and her husband recently welcomed a Ukrainian family of four into their home until a home of their own could be found. They personally helped these refugees integrate into the community, and have now adopted them as part of their own family (while also learning some Ukrainian!)
We have the honor to work alongside Assistance League members who support The Auburn State Theater, serve on Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital Guild, are patrons of Sierra College and help coordinate the Auburn Food Basket program. Amongst us are donors and supporters of our beloved Auburn Symphony. Our workforce also includes Friends of the Auburn Library, Summer Concert Series volunteers and supporters of the Lincoln Community Foundation. Recently one of our Assistance League members was featured in The Auburn Journal for her support of Placer Community Foundation.
Assistance League members hands have helped guide the Interfaith Food Ministry, Kare Crisis Nursery, Seniors First, Placer Women’s Center, Happy Hands and Gold Country Rose Society. Other beneficiaries are Sacramento Children’s Home Guild, Nevada City School of the Arts and Nevada City Schools Foundation.
Our Rock Star volunteers have been directors or served on California Statewide boards for Future Business Leaders of America, City of Hope, KVIE Board (PBS), Safe Kids California and Rosicrucian Order.
Our local heroes have dedicated their talents on a national level. Assistance League of Greater Placer members have filled the ranks of AAUW and served as Hospice volunteers. Others have strengthened ALSF (Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer), dedicated time and expertise to Boys and Girls Clubs, served as director of the Child Abuse Prevention Center or promoted Phi Mu Children’s Philanthropy.
Amazingly, their broad reach extends EVEN FURTHER! Our member volunteers also serve international organizations such as PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) which offers grants, scholarships or loans for women. They have presided over the influential Junior League which is dedicated to social reform; they champion Lift the Children which supports orphanages worldwide; and serve on the International Rescue Committee.
Frankly, it’s exhausting to discover how many dedicated hours it takes to serve local communities such as ours! Our volunteers have honed their service skills over lifetimes, stepping up to be board members for Non-Profit Organizations such as California Women’s Retreat, VIP Dog Teams ,raising therapy dogs, or HURTNO1, educating teens about relationship abuse. Some of our members designed programs or served on boards for KidsFirst, treating and preventing child abuse. One of our members was the first woman President of the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries!
We are DEEPLY PROUD of our members. They have volunteered for just about everything that enriches and strengthens communities all over the United States. They served the Lupus Foundation and volunteered at Monterey Bay Aquarium. They’ve been Girl Scout leaders, soccer moms, Women’s Club members and Sunday school teachers.
It’s easy to do nothing when you don’t know where to begin. But clearly, for some people, giving and giving back are a WAY OF LIFE! You know who you are. Please take a bow.
ALGreaterPlacer-Nuggets 
This article was great! Perhaps it should be published in the Auburn Journal to let others know what we do besides the Thrift Shop. I’ve talked with some of my friends in the Rocklin area and they’ve never heard of the Assistance League! We need a little more publicity….
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