History - Action League of the Foothills

History

Action League of the Foothills
ALF History
June 2025

In May of 2025, the Chapter members voted to disaffiliate from National Assistance League (NAL.) For several years, the national organization had been unable to provide the in-person officer training and national conventions that had been so valuable in the past, as well as changed its requirement for individual chapters to provide more financial support. Members wanted to keep ALF resources for our local philanthropic endeavors.

The Board selected a new name, Action League of the Foothills, preserving the ALF acronym. The name is now registered with the state of California, approved in late June. Because the Operation School Bell ® name is registered with NAL, the ALF philanthropic program was changed to ALF Books and Beyond. Likewise, the Assisteens ® auxiliary was renamed ALF Teens.

A new logo was developed and the website became ALFoothills.org. Officers and office staff worked over the summer to make the necessary changes to signage, banking, web material, e-mails, etc. ALF will continue to serve locally and is committed to “Charity, Compassion, & Community.”

Assistance League^®of Flintridge
ALF History
December 1951 – May 2025

On December 14, 1951, twenty-six women met at an invitational tea and formed Assistance Guild of Flintridge as a probationary Guild of National Assistance League. After three years as a Guild, Assistance League of Flintridge received its Charter in March 1954 and became the 21st Chapter of National Assistance League. Assistance League of Flintridge became known locally by the acronym of ALF.

The Bargain Box Thrift Shop was started in January 1957. It originally operated from a converted garage at the La Cañada Youth House from 1956-1957 and eventually moved to Oakwood Avenue in 1968. Revenue from the Bargain Box became the principal source of fundraising for Assistance League of Flintridge. Donations received from the community and support from customers continue to make it possible for ALF to fund its philanthropic programs.

In March of 1967, the Assisteens ® auxiliary was formed, made up of teenage daughters and granddaughters of members. ALF now welcomes Assisteens members, both male and female, in grades 7-12. Assisteens’ philanthropies include preparing hygiene kits, goody bags, and infant blankets for families in need, supporting the Bargain Box Thrift Shop and the activities of the philanthropic programs, as well as other projects suggested by the group, In 2025, the Assisteens auxiliary changed their name to ALF Teens. The self-governed group will continue to provide leadership and community service opportunities for its members.

The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 brought a crisis in the La Cañada Unified School District (LCUSD) and its summer school program was in jeopardy. Assistance League of Flintridge stepped in right away and began ALF Summer School in June of that year, with fee-based enrichment classes for grades 1-8, that included supplemental funding from ALF. The program was administered by Assistance League of Flintridge and held at one of the elementary schools in La Cañada Flintridge. In 2025, Summer School enrichment classes were offered to grades K-6. The fun summer classes have remained popular for over 45 years.

In 1985, ALF began a fee-based Instrumental Music program with supplemental funding provided by Assistance League of Flintridge. The program was offered during the school day in the La Cañada Unified School District (LCUSD) elementary schools for students in grades 4-6. In 2004 the Instrumental Music program was modified and classes were offered only before and after school. In September 2024, the music classes transitioned to an independent music company, but ALF continues to provide low-cost instrument rentals for students in the LCUSD music program.

An after-school Drama program started in 1986 as a fee-based workshop with supplemental funding provided by ALF. It included “ALFie Players” for grades 3-6 and “ALFie Company” for grades 6-8. In the summer of 2001, a summer session was added to the Drama Program. In the summer of 2004, the program expanded further to include youth in grades 9-12, resulting in two separate productions performed for the community. The Drama summer session was integrated into the ALF Summer School program in 2017. Currently, a Fall program for “ALFie Players” (grades 3-6) and a Winter Program for “ALFie Company” (grades 5-10) is offered.

In response to the changing times, ALF invited members of the professional community to establish an auxiliary. Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals (CAP) was launched with 37 charter members in the fall of 1990 and certified in the fall of 1991. CAP philanthropic programs include CAPPY Bears for children in emergency care at Verdugo Hills Hospital (VHH); CAP Care PACs for victims of trauma at VHH and Union Station; personal care supplies provided to families at Elizabeth House; and annual scholarships for students graduating from one of the local high schools and planning to attend a vocational or community college.

In 1995, the Mary Ellen Hillgren Memorial Scholarship was established by the Hillgren family, to be administered by ALF. Graduating seniors who are residents of La Cañada Flintridge and who attend La Cañada High School are invited to apply for these scholarships. Mary Ellen Hillgren served as President of Assistance League of Flintridge in 1980-1981, and as President of National Assistance League in 1983-1985. The scholarships are merit-based, awarded for excellence in character, extra-curricular activities, academic achievement and community service. Recipients are selected by an ALF committee.

Operation School Bell ® was established by ALF in 2005 and serves the local schools. In the fall of 2006, an agreement was signed between Assistance League of Pasadena and Assistance League of Flintridge, creating a partnership, the first of its kind in Assistance League history. The two organizations worked together to provide clothing and school supplies for students in need. ALF’s OSB program also worked with LCUSD to provide new clothing, backpacks, school supplies, and as of 2018-2019, Chromebooks for grades 5-12. Beginning in 2016, ALF further expanded the program to the broader foothill community by providing shoes, personal care kits and supplies for homeless students, and internet access through “hot spots” for students, as needed. Today, the program is known as ALF Books & Beyond and it continues to provide basic necessities and school supplies to students in need.

ALF members have also participated in one-time philanthropic projects organized by the Community Needs Assessment and Outreach committee. The first in 2012, was the collection of needed items for “Skidettes,” an ecumenical group that made sack lunches for individuals in need in the downtown area of “skid row.” ALF has also participated in “Make A Difference Day,” a program through National Assistance League that provides books to children. ALF’s recipients have been the Los Angeles County library, La Cañada Flintridge (2012), the Special Day classroom at Paradise Canyon Elementary (2013), the Apperson Elementary School library in Sunland (2014), Sunland Elementary School (2015), and Plainview Charter Academy in Tujunga (2016.) In 2017, a one-time donation was made to several students who had aged out of the foster care program in the Los Angeles County. In 2022, the Outreach Committee’s name was changed to ALF in Action and it became permanent philanthropic program. Each year, 2-5 programs are identified to receive support from ALF in Action.

Former ALF programs include: Teen Tennis Tournament (1967-1989); Youth Employment Service (1969-2015); Scholastic Aptitude Test Review (1972-1998); College Application Essay (1989-2015); Career Testing and Counseling (1974-1994); Community Cultural Awareness (1990-2002); and Retired Service Volunteers (1976-2020.)

Assistance League of Flintridge has received the Les Tupper Community Service Award in 1971, 1995, and 2017; the District Honorary Service Award from the La Cañada Council of PTA for its service to the community; and in 1990 became the first recipient of the T.H.A.N.K.S. Award which was presented by the Governing Board of the La Cañada Unified School District in recognition of service to youth through a successful summer school program. The RSVs received a special Les Tupper Award in May of 1989.

In 1993 the California State PTA awarded ALF its highest honor, the Golden Oak Service Award. In 1995 ALF received the first Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award and the Les Tupper Community Service Award for the second time. The Chapter received the Roger Barkley Community Center 2006 Gilbert Smith Service Award for service and dedication to the community. The PTA Continuing Service Award was presented to ALF in 2008. The La Cañada PTA Council’s Continuing Service Award was again presented to the Chapter in 2013 and again in 2018.

In 2024 Assistance League of Flintridge celebrated its 70th anniversary. In the 2015-2016 year, the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce honored Assistance League of Flintridge for 65 years serving the community since 1951 when the Guild was established. The City of La Cañada Flintridge honored the Assistance League of Flintridge at their May 17, 2016 City Council Meeting.

In 2016, SPROUTS, a CAP program was recognized with commendations and proclamations by Mayor, Jonathan Curtis of the City of La Cañada Flintridge; California State Senator, Anthony Portantino; U.S. Congressman, Adam Schiff; and Los Angeles County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger for 25 years of providing programs for preschool children ages 3-5 for Early Intervention Enrichment.