Helping Hands: Assistance League of St. Louis

School uniforms have been linked to improved attendance and graduation rates, reduced peer pressure and bullying, decreased gang influence, and fewer discipline issues. Seeing these potential benefits, St. Louis Public Schools and several county districts require uniforms for students in many schools. When parents can’t afford the approved clothing, however, Assistance League of St. Louis steps in. It provides two sets of uniforms to each of more than 3,500 students in 25 area elementary schools each year, and new athletic shoes to more than 2,900 children in 30 schools.

“For students to be able to come to school in a nice, clean uniform and to have tennis shoes to wear, that’s a blessing for those children and their families,” says Jeffrey Rhone, director of family and community engagement for St. Louis Public Schools. “They feel like there’s someone who cares about them and who wants them to be successful. Also, it allows them to not worry about other students having the latest fashions while their parents can’t afford them. They can just focus on learning.”

Operation School Bell and Steps for Success are Assistance League’s two largest community outreach programs. In 27 years, the all-volunteer organization has provided nearly 57,000 children with new school clothing. Between August and January, the Assistance League buses students from selected schools to its offices to measure them for new clothes and shoes. In addition to uniforms, the students go home with a fleece jacket, a book and personal hygiene items like a toothbrush. “Sometimes it’s the first time they’ve had clothes that actually fit them,” says Jane Harbron, president of Assistance League. “A lot of the children come in with shoes that are two sizes too small for them and their feet are cramped up. They have big smiles when they leave.”

Assistance League’s corps of dedicated volunteers runs three additional programs as well. Raise Our Self Esteem (ROSE) delivers first-night bags with personal care items to women and children seeking refuge in four area domestic violence shelters. Operation Hug distributes teddy bears to 26 emergency and social service agencies to help children during traumatic events. My Own Fun Stuff provides activity kits to entertain the nearly  5,000 children who visit 15 area hospital emergency rooms each year. “What connects all of our programs is a focus on women and children,” Harbron says.

Without paid staff, Assistance League relies on volunteers to implement all of its programs as well. Members contribute more than 63,000 hours and serve 43,000 people each year. The organization raises funds through its Fantastic Finds resale shop in Creve Coeur and during its annual Imagine! Gala, which will be held this year Nov. 7 at the Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield. The event includes silent and live auctions, dinner and musical entertainment. “All of the funds we raise go to women and children in our area through one of our five programs,” Harbron says. “We don’t have expenses for salaries or pensions. We are very well organized, and we’re dedicated to the St. Louis community.”

Pictured: Volunteers Linda McMillan, Bonnie Pellegrini and Sandy DiFranco
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton

[Assistance League of St . Louis is holding its Imagine! Gala 6 p.m. Nov. 7, at Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield. The event includes a dinner auction with auctioneer Rene Knott from KSDK, and musical entertainment. Tickets are $150. As an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, Assistance League uses 100 percent of funds from the event to support its community-based philanthropic programs. Pictured on the cover: Volunteer Roxie Randolph, chairman of the League’s Operation School Bell program, with students from Fairview Elementary. For more information, ca ll 636.227.6200 or visit alstl.org.]