Assistance League of Sierra Foothills

Programs

1. OPERATION SCHOOL BELLWorking in partnership with the El Dorado County Office of Education and local retail outlets the Assistance League of Sierra Foothills provides new school clothing for disadvantaged students ages 5-18 in El Dorado County. Additionally, each student is given an age-appropriate book. Too often this is the first book some of the children have ever owned.Beyond providing much needed clothing, this signature program improves self-esteem and fosters positive attitudes toward school attendance.Due to the closure of the only suitable retailer in the South Lake Tahoe area of El Dorado County. the Operation School Bell Team partnered with J.C. Penny to provide new school clothes to students in this area. Pennys advised the team of what was available, a catalogue was made, orders were placed by the students and their families, merchandise was shipped to Assistance League of Sierra Foothills volunteers who sorted, packaged and brought the clothing to the schools in South Lake Tahoe to be distributed.Along with school and community volunteers thirty-nine (39) members volunteered six hundred forty-five (645) hours to ensure the success of this program. Fifty seven (57)…

   $121,905 spentof which $18,000 as grants
   71% of program spending

2. Sports LockerAssistance League of Sierra Foothills partners with El Dorado County local soccer and baseball youth sports leagues to award registration fee scholarships and reimbursements for receipted personal equipment purchases. Hangtown Little League, Snowline Little League, El Dorado Hills Little League, and soccer clubs Gold Nugget Soccer, Sierra Gold Soccer, Prospector Soccer and El Dorado Hills Soccer are participants in the Sports Locker Program. This program enables athletic participation while building positive self-esteem and leadership skills.This year six (6) members volunteered one hundred sixty (160) hours for this program, $17,930.00 was spent and eighty four (84) disadvantaged El Dorado County children played community organized soccer or Little League baseball.

   $18,193 spent
   11% of program spending

3. ScholarshipsAssistance League of Sierra Foothills offers two types of scholarships. The Community Service Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who exhibit exemplary community service work throughout their high school years. The Advantage Scholarship is offered to El Dorado County high school seniors and or adults pursuing further education who have overcome significant personal challenges. This year Assistance League of Sierra Foothills awarded a total of eight (8) scholarships. Three (3) Community Service Scholarships, each $3,333.00, were awarded based on the candidates display of community service. Five (5) Advantage Scholarships, each $3,000.00, were awarded. In the past we have awarded scholarships to those individuals who wanted to follow a non-traditional educational path, for example cosmetology school. We recognize the need for support for these non-traditional paths and plan to continue identifying those students and adults interested in such a path. (440)Fourteen (14) members volunteering four hundred forty hours served on the committee this year.

   $25,365 spent
   15% of program spending

4. Bags for BelongingsThe Bags for Belongings program provides duffel bags to children who are being removed from their homes by El Dorado County authorities and placed into foster care and children already in foster care who are being relocated. These children often do not have a personal bag in which to carry their belongings and are forced to use a large garbage bag. Our duffle bags enable these youth to carry their belongings with dignity which helps to build up self-esteem and give them hope.This year Assistance League of Sierra Foothills delivered sturdy duffel bags with laminated name tags to New Morning Youth and Family Services and El Dorado County Child Protective Services and AspireKids at a cost of $2,462.92.This year we expanded this program to include art supplies as requested by New Morning Shelter. Art is a way for traumatized youth to express their feelings, engage with staff and use free time productively. Two (2) members served on this committee working seventy (70) hours to deliver one hundred forty four (144) duffel bags to the three facilities..

   $2,499 spent
   1% of program spending

5. BOOKS AND BEYONDBooks and Beyond is a program that assists children who are reading below grade level to improve their reading comprehension. Members meet weekly, working one-on-one with second and third graders to improve their reading skills. Books & Beyond helps children with reading issues which adds to their sense of pride and accomplishment. As the children finish a book, they may keep it and start to build a small library of their own.This weekly, nine-month commitment is fulfilled by seven (7) dedicated member volunteers who devoted four hundred eighty three (483) hours to this program. As a commitment to literacy, at the end of the school year the 2nd and 3rd grades with students participating in the program were given a book. This year $1,083.45 was spent for books and one hundred forty (140) children went home with a book of their own.

   $1,099 spent
   1% of program spending

6. S.M.I.L.E. (Senior Multi-Interest Leisure Enrichment)S.M.I.L.E. is an Assistance League of Sierra Foothills program that provides a stimulating interactive opportunity for seniors in nursing and memory care facilities in El Dorado County. Each month Assistance League of Sierra Foothills volunteers met with residents at the Gold Country Skilled Nursing Facility and The Pavilion at El Dorado Hills for special activities such as game and beauty days, painting and crafts, a tea party and storytelling. Much more than simply craft projects, these monthly events provide much-needed socialization experiences for these seniors.Additionally, a holiday shopping event is organized for the residents at which they can shop for new gifts for their families and friends, all donated by Assistance League of Sierra Foothills and wrapped by member volunteers.This year thirteen (13) member volunteers spent five hundred ninety six (596) hours and $2,657.00 to bring this program to ninety three (93) residents of the two facilities.

   $2,695 spent
   2% of program spending

7. COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMThis is a one-time program that offers help to individuals or families who have suffered a severe setback.This year there was no award.

8. The chapter's support and revenue come primarily from contributions, fundraising efforts and grants.

The 8 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990-EZ. Program spending in total: $171,756.