Philanthropic Programs
Operation School Bell® Programs
Feet Treat
Feet Treat is a community service program that provides new shoes for students who are referred to our chapter by school personnel. K-8 student’s feet are measured by school personnel and then the students choose their shoes form a catalog. Grade 9-12 students choose their shoes at a local Famous Footwear store.
Kids on the Block
The Kids on the Block is a community service educational puppet program where Assistance League members become puppeteers and bring performances regarding social issues to K-3rd grade students in the elementary schools in Placer County. The three puppet topics offered to the schools are Bullying and School Safety, Learning Differences, and Walking Safely & Teasing. There are several scripts in each subject area that accommodate different grade levels. The Kids on the Block program includes puppeteers, MC’s, correspondence/mailings, schedulers, and a design team for creating stage props and costumes.
Literacy Enrichment
Our members volunteer their time at some of the Placer County elementary schools, reading to and with students with material provided by the teachers. This is usually in small groups or one-on-one. Additionally, at least once a year books will be gifted to all students in each of the classrooms that use our volunteers, based on teacher recommendations and current Assistant League budget availability.
Operation School Bell School Clothing
This community service program provides school clothing to students in grades K-12 in 17 school districts in the Greater Placer area. Children in need are referred to the program by school personnel. Participating students attend shopping events on specific dates at Target stores in Roseville, Auburn, Rocklin and Lincoln. Each student has a money allocation based upon their grade level. The program is administered throughout the fiscal year by a chair, vice-chair and supporting team members. Shopping events are staffed by willing chapter members. Event volunteers assist families during the shopping process in a variety of positions.
School Liaisons
The School Liaison program is a community service program in which members sign-up to be the link between one or more of the 107+ schools in Placer County and our chapter. The association between Assistance League and the school systems is vital for the success of our philanthropic programs so that they are meeting the needs of school students.
School Supplies
This community service program purchases new school supplies for students who are referred by Kids First and other resource Centers in Placer County. Each child is given the supplies needed according to his/her grade. Backpacks are also provided as needed.
Community Programs
Angels for Aging
Our “Angels” provide a community service program that addresses the needs of individuals at the poverty level who reside in permanent long-term care at Rock Creek Care Center in Auburn, CA. Volunteers are teamed up with specific residents, with the objective of decreasing social isolation, increasing opportunities for social engagement, and providing an understanding and empathetic outlet for discussion of issues inherent in living in permanent placement. Birthdays and holidays are honored, and personal, necessary purchasing needs are addressed as they come up.
Community Assistance
This community service program helps adults and children who have a one-time emergency need for goods or services. Community agencies in Placer County have agreements with the Assistance League of Greater Placer. These agencies represent different areas and different needs in our community. They ascertain the needs and financial situations of their clients before referring them to this program for assistance.
Dressing for Successs
The Dressing for Success community service program provides unemployed men and women with clothing to enhance their image as they seek employment. They are referred to our chapter by several local job training and employment service agencies. At the Thrift Shop, the men and women are assisted by Assistance League personal shoppers to select clothing appropriate for job interviews and work. On occasion the Assistance League member may also meet the client at a store to purchase clothing/shoes if nothing appropriate is available at the Thrift Shop.
Reaching Out
This community service program strives to meet the needs of the homeless and less advantaged members of our community by providing warm coats and meals through agencies with whom we have agreements. Additionally waterproof backpacks filled with small essential for everyday life are provided to unhoused individuals by working with our partner agencies. Dinners are provided twice a month to Gathering Inn residents.
Scholarships
The Scholarship community service program provides renewable financial aid and ongoing mentoring to at-risk Placer County youth pursuing post high school training and education. Graduating students of seven alternative high schools are recommended by their teachers and counselors. These students have worked hard to turn their lives around, pursuing certificates or degrees in a wide range of subjects from nursing to electrician training to forensic science.
Waste Not
This community service program provides an expansion of our community service efforts through the distribution of unsalable items, donated to our Thrift Shop, to other charitable organizations. This allows us to extend our reach and impact the in the community by ensuring that all donations find a home where they can be used as opposed to ending up in a landfill.