Chronicles: Stories of Service and Moments of Impact
We invite you to learn about the people who power our programs, the lives they touch, and the appreciation of those served.
Mountain Democrat
Gardens of the Hills’ recent tour a blooming success
Reproduced from:
News release June 19, 2026
Hundreds of visitors explored six unique gardens during the Assistance League Sierra Foothills’ annual Gardens of the Hills Tour, raising funds for community programs while celebrating the beauty and creativity of local landscapes.
“While the primary goal of the event is to raise revenue for our programs, the pleasure of creating an event for the community fills the hearts of Assistance League Sierra Foothills members,” shared Elaine Armstrong, event chair.
The successful event showcased five private home gardens and one local school garden, offering attendees an intimate look at landscapes of varying sizes, designs and functional focuses.
Two gardens featured beautiful views. One western-facing property featured multiple landscaped terraces, each offering secluded spaces for conversation and relaxation. Another offered sweeping vistas over massive oak trees bordering Bass Lake where it was easy to imagine the changing views throughout the seasons.
Vegetable gardens showcased a variety of designs, with raised beds providing solutions for challenging soil, water management and ease of cultivation. Cacti found their way into many of the gardens — elevating this once avoided plant species to its newfound status as a primary design element.
Entertaining was a clear design priority for the hosts. Each garden boasted an outdoor kitchen and dining area, including a tandoor oven in one. Pools and fountains were complemented by a putting green, pickleball court and even a giant chess board.
The highlight of the tour for many visitors was the Lakers’ Student Garden at Lake Forest Elementary School. This living classroom, created through the vision of Project Green, is designed to inspire curiosity, responsibility, and environmental awareness through the stewardship of 20 local school gardens serving over 8,400 students. All visitors were guided through the garden by students who gave informative, engaging, and inspiring private tours. Observers noted that in this specific garden, it wasn’t just the flora that was flourishing — the growth, confidence and knowledge of the young student guides were readily evident.
Adding to the variety of the day, guests were treated to live music, a Master Gardener presentation on bees, local artists working in the garden, food vendors, a search for Nutmeg the squirrel in every garden, abundant raffle baskets and artisans’ products for sale.
All proceeds go toward supporting the six core philanthropic programs managed by the all-volunteer members of the Assistance League Sierra Foothills, demonstrating how local philanthropy combined with community support can help cultivate brighter futures throughout El Dorado County.
For more information visit alsierrafoothills.org.
2026 Scholarship Awards
Assistance League Sierra Foothills is a local, all volunteer, nonprofit organization with the goal of transforming lives and strengthening the El Dorado community through its many philanthropic programs.
This year the Scholarship Program presented a total of $24,000 in both Advantage and Community Service categories, to seven exemplary El Dorado County high school seniors. The organization’s Advantage Scholarships are awarded to students who have overcome significant challenges and plan to continue their education. Acknowledged for their admirable efforts to meet and rise above difficult obstacles and receiving Advantage Scholarships of $4,000 each are Faith Johnson from Union Mine High School, and Olivia Beckett and Maxine Kim both from El Dorado High School.
Community Service Scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated exemplary volunteer community service. Recognized for their commendable efforts devoted to serving those in their communities and receiving Community Service Scholarships of $3,000 each are Aubrey Foust from American River Charter, Ava Galli from South Tahoe High School, and Aislynne Hartman and Taylyn Young both from Oak Ridge High School.
At their end of the year luncheon held at Patra Corporation, EL Dorado Hills, on Wednesday, May 27th, the members of the organization were proud to meet and celebrate the outstanding young adults who received scholarships this year.
Click here to learn more about our scholarship winners, their accomplishments, and their plans
Picture left to right: Nancy Hetrick, Scholarship Chair, Maxine Kim, Olivia Beckett, Aislynne Hartman, Taylyn Young, Aubrey Foust, Ava Galli, and Karen Simon, Scholarship Co-Chair. Not pictured: Faith Johnson
Exciting News!
Assistance League Sierra Foothills has been awarded a $26,000 Inspiration Grant from the Women’s Fund El Dorado!
This incredible gift will fund our Fall 2026 Operation School Bell program, helping us meet the growing needs of families on the Western Slope. Because of this grant, we can look into expanding our support by including Transitional Kindergarteners, boosting voucher amounts, or inviting even more K-12 students to shop for new school clothes. Thank you, Women’s Fund El Dorado, for partnering with us to bring dignity, confidence, and bright smiles to local students!
Pictured left to right: Cynthia Lowery, Irene Muzio, Debbie McClenahan, Pam Jarvis and Joy Wright.
Hangtown Little League Plaque Gifted to Sports Locker Program
There is nothing quite like the pride of wearing a team jersey. Our volunteers recently met with Joy Lee from Hangtown Little League, who gifted our chapter a plaque featuring the Hurricanes softball team. Through our Sports Locker scholarships, we’ve helped ensure that registration fees never stand in the way of a child’s love for the game. We are so grateful for this recognition and even more excited to watch these boys and girls succeed on and off the field.
Partnering with NPR CAP Radio for the Nonprofit Showcase – Pam Jarvis, President Assistance League Sierra Foothills
Operation School Bell®
Hear the impact of Operation School Bell shopping events from school representatives and shoppers.
Mountain Democrat
Assistance League helps kids get geared up
Reproduced from:
News release Nov 19, 2025 0
Assistance League Sierra Foothills volunteers and guests came together at Walmart in Placerville last month for several Operation School Bell shopping trips.
More than 1,349 students were invited to shop. Together with their parents or guardians, students in kindergarten through fifth grade received $100, students in sixth through eighth grade received $125 and high school students received $150 to purchase school-related clothing, a new coat or pair of shoes and a book of their choice.
Students are identified by El Dorado County public school personnel and brought by their parents/guardians to Operation School Bell events hosted on the west slope and in South Lake Tahoe.
The philanthropic program is one of many run by Assistance League Sierra Foothills, a nonprofit group based in El Dorado Hills that serves the entire county. Up next is the ALSF Homes for the Holidays tour, Dec. 6 & 7, a fundraiser during which private homeowners open their beautifully decorated homes to ticket holders. The event also includes a raffle, holiday boutique and decorated Christmas trees for sale.
