National

Assistance League is a national all-volunteer nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization, with many chapters nationwide, that is transforming lives and strengthening community through local philanthropic programs. It is qualified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Assistance League was established in Los Angeles in the early 1900s. It was the first organization of its kind to recognize the potential of volunteers in helping those less fortunate achieve a better, more meaningful life.

Last Year Assistance League chapters touched the lives of more than 1.5 million children, seniors, families and others in need. More than 23,000 members nationwide returned $38.8 million to local communities across the country and invested more than 3.2 million service hours.

Anne Banning – Our Founder

Assistance League was established in 1919 by the philanthropic efforts of Anne Banning and Ada Edwards Laughlin to form Assistance League of Southern California. Anne Banning, was a leading philanthropist of her time, with a mission to aid families in distress as a result of World War I.

San Diego, CA

The San Diego Guild was organized in 1962. One of the original three planners of the Guild was Helen Banning, daughter-in-law of Anne Banning, founder of National Assistance League. In 1965, Assistance League of San Diego County was chartered and became the thirty-fourth chapter of National Assistance League. In May 2001, the chapter’s name was changed to Assistance League of Greater San Diego.

The first chapter house at 2738 Upas Street was purchased in 1975 and paid for in full in 1988. The present Chapter House was purchased in 1996 and, after a bit of remodeling, the doors were opened in March 1997. The mortgage was paid in full in April 2003.

Our Assistance League of Greater San Diego chapter is honored to have Marianne Adey, Anne Banning’s granddaughter and great-granddaughter, Francesca Adey Kornberg, as members of our chapter.