ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF RENO-SPARKS 2012 COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN

At Thanksgiving time — and all throughout the year — there are many outstanding organizations that help people in crisis.  I just received a mailer from the Assistance League of Reno-Sparks about its 2012 Community Campaign. 

I became well-acquainted with Assistance League when several friends and neighbors were active volunteers in suburban Seattle's Assistance League of the Eastside.  And as a journalist,  I wrote about Assistance League programs which served disadvantaged children and survivors of assault or abuse. 

One of the biggest undertakings for Assistance League of the Eastside was Operation School Bell, which provided at-risk children in three very large school districts with Fred Meyer gift cards so that they could shop for new clothes and shoes. 
  
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks also sponsors Operation School Bell, benefitting at-risk children in the Washoe County School District. 

As I worked on my story for the Redmond Reporter (in Redmond, Washington), I personally saw the joy and relief on the faces of innocent kids whose families were struggling, as they selected new, fashionable outfits for school.  I heard from teachers and counselors how much it meant to these kids, whose circumstances were so difficult, to have something of their own, something that wasn't a "hand-me-down."  

http://www.redmond-reporter.com/lifestyle/65298057.html

  
Also, while covering a fashion show and fundraising luncheon for Assistance League of the Eastside, I heard heartfelt testimonials from women who'd been displaced by domestic violence and received welcome baskets with household supplies, as well as messages of encouragement, from Assistance League.

What also struck me as profound were comments from another speaker at the luncheon, the superintendent of the Lake Washington School District.  He described a frightening time in his own life when he was young, poor and felt very much alone. 

"Crisis does dramatic things to a person's soul," said Dr. Chip Kimball.  "In many instances, people in crisis lose hope."  Kimball added that an unexpected gift from a local church, a food basket, meant the world to him when he was ready to abandon hope. 

http://www.redmond-reporter.com/lifestyle/86272712.html

I'm glad to know that Assistance League has a presence in Reno-Sparks and a number of philanthropic programs that can be a lifeline for people in need.  In addition to Operation School Bell, the Reno-Sparks chapter of Assistance League has programs such as Children In Transition, Veterans Outreach, a Senior Sampler gift shop (featuring products made by senior citizens) and more.

I hope to learn more about this local organization and plan to make a donation. I hope that you will, too.  

For more information about Assistance League of Reno-Sparks, call (775) 329-1584 or visit 
www.renosparks.assistanceleague.org  .