Students without school clothes, women without personal products, children with limited access to books and literacy programs—there are countless unmet needs in our community. Roxie Randolph wants to ensure that St. Louisans know the issues and, more importantly, how they can help. As president of Assistance League of St. Louis, she leads the local chapter of a national organization that supports children and adults through philanthropic programs. One of the largest of the 120 chapters nationwide, it is dedicated to serving the unique needs and challenges of our region.
The nonprofit is completely run by volunteers. Known as ‘members,’ there are just under 500 individuals who identify areas of need and develop and implement programs to address them. Randolph says it is the members who make the organization’s success possible. “For more than 30 years, they’ve dedicated their time and service to helping the underserved,” she notes.
The Assistance League’s list of services is extensive. Last year alone, it introduced two new programs to help area children: Books from Friends, which delivers new and gently used books, and Beyond the Bell, which gives non-uniform clothes to kids and young adults. Other programs include providing teddy bears and activity packets to children and adults in hospitals, assembling gift bags of personal items for women in shelters, and outfitting elementary students with footwear. “Our programs are set up to empower people, not enable them,” Randolph explains. “We want to provide opportunity rather than create dependence.”
New this year, the nonprofit is testing an expanded delivery model that will bring more of its resources directly into St. Louis public schools through in-school closets. They will be stocked with additional school uniforms, non-uniform clothing and footwear. Randolph says there also will be activity packets and stuffed toys to help students who need a way to settle down and de-stress. She is hopeful that this new integrated format will be a success and continue to grow. “After this year, we will assess where we’re succeeding and what still needs to done,” she notes. “We’re looking forward to implementing these closets in more schools and adding other services.”
To make its programs possible, Assistance League of St. Louis hosts an annual Imagine! gala, one of its largest fundraisers. “It raises funds that are crucial to meet the needs of the community,” Randolph says. “The event allows us to recognize our calling and fund services that benefit those in need.” At the event Nov. 17 in the Edward Jones atrium, Randolph says guests can look forward to an evening of mystique and glamour. Rene Knott of KSDK will serve as emcee and auctioneer, and festivities also include dinner and entertainment. Randolph notes the gala’s theme, ‘A Night of Hope and Dreams,’ is a special reflection of the nonprofit’s mission. “We want to focus on our continued effort to provide hope so that dreams can be realized,” she says.
Completely run by volunteeres, Assistance League of St. Louis puts caring and commitment into action through community-based, philanthropic programs. Its Imagine! Gala is Nov. 17 in the Edward Jones Atrium. Pictured on the cover: President-elect Jane Harbron, President Roxie Randolph, event chair Connie Curran, event vice chair Karen Pennington. For more information, call 636.227.6200 or visit alstl.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler | Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured above: Assistance League of St. Louis president Roxie Randolph
Photo courtesy of Assistance League of St. Louis
