Fabric of the Community / Assistance League
UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
Aiding the Community
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF LAGUNA BEACH ENDEAVORS TO HELP THE MASSES .
By TANYA A . YACINA
Left : Kathy Pawluk , president of the Assistance League of Laguna Beach ; right : the nonprofit ’ s thrift shop
A s an all-volunteer nonprofit , the Assistance League of Laguna Beach focuses on enhancing the local community and transforming lives through its philanthropic programs . Originally formed in 1952 by 14 women who called themselves Las Amigas , the group opened the Turnabout Thrift Shop here in town to fund their humanitarian activities . Ten years later , it became the 29th National Assistance League chapter and was renamed to its current moniker . Today , there are 120 chapters nationwide claiming nearly 22,000 members .
“ Each Assistance League chapter is charged with serving the unique needs and challenges of the local community . Funds generated by or donated to the chapter enable it to address identified local needs , and member volunteers define and carry out services that fit these needs ,” says Kathy Pawluk , president of the local chapter . “ The national organization provides guidance to assure chapters function to the best standards of nonprofit governance .”
Pawluk says that , between the group ’ s roughly 160 volunteers and various philanthropic programs , ALLB works to make Laguna and its surrounding communities better places to live and work . Through hands-on involvement , the volunteers dedicate themselves to ongoing support and a long-term presence in the community .
“ Assistance League of Laguna Beach volunteers staff … [ our ] community Thrift Shop that offers residents and visitors a wide range of slight [ ly ] -used , quality goods at reasonable prices ,” Pawluk says , noting that the funds help support 15 different charitable initiatives . “… Through philanthropic programs , … [ ALLB ] volunteers are committed to meeting the needs of individuals in Laguna Beach and surrounding communities with a focus on senior citizens , food insecure families , schoolchildren and developmentally delayed babies .”
Over the years , the local chapter ’ s programming has expanded , now held at local pillars within the community . The nonprofit donates funds to Laguna Playhouse so that underserved children can attend theatrical productions while also hosting enrichment activities — such as art projects and culinary sessions — at Waymakers Youth Shelter . Still other initiatives include knitting / crocheting hats for cancer patients , granting scholarships to graduating high school seniors and offering support for military families .
Read on to discover how some of the Assistance League ’ s most important programs take shape .
ASHLEY LITTLEFIELD
26 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM