History of Philanthropic Projects
Professional Leaders Auxiliary of
Assistance League of Mid-Missouri
In early 1997, the newly formed auxiliary, the Professional Leaders Auxiliary of Assistance League of Mid-Missouri, drafted a slate of officers and committee chairs. By April the philanthropic co-chairs and its committee selected the initial auxiliary philanthropic project. A project selection report for Operation Backpack was written and accepted by National Assistance League in July of 1997. This project afforded the auxiliary the opportunity to work directly with the Chapter and their philanthropic project, Operation School Bell. For every elementary school child clothed the auxiliary provided a backpack. The children would have something to take their new clothing home in and would also have a backpack for their use in school. This project continued the following three years.
The following year the philanthropic committee was tasked with the development of a signature project that would allow PLA to develop over the coming years. The committee began this work in early 1998. After many months of investigating worthwhile possibilities, it was decided that the Women’s Shelter would be the proposed choice. The membership felt a special commitment to women in our community who needed help to overcome difficult and often dangerous situations in their lives. The members understood what a significant impact our support would make in this arena. Approved without haste, a project selection report was submitted in January 1999 and approved by National Assistance League in May. The project was called, Shelter Projects. Over the years, the auxiliary has been able to donate many thousands of dollars in goods and services, as well as thousands of volunteer hours by the membership. Each year the project grows in size and dimension. The Professional Leaders Auxiliary continues to make a difference in the lives of many women in need in our community each year.
A note from The Shelter
CHS Inc., the Shelter board and staff were pleased that the Professional Leaders Auxiliary chose the Women’s Shelter as their primary project. Little did they know the huge impact that PLA and later the Assistance League chapter would have on their ability to provide a high quality of service to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault in central Missouri. The following are many of the projects completed by the Professional Leaders Auxiliary (PLA) of Assistance League of Mid-Missouri.
- Renovated the Children’s Playroom and provided toys, books and supplies
- Renovated flooring in multiple areas
- Provided many new pieces of furniture throughout the facility
- Completed entryway remodel including tile and paint.
- Provided a security remodel for all front windows including bullet-resistant glass, a security door and installed the Airphone system with video/audio
- Rented a storage unit and created shelving
- Replaced the commercial front door to be safer.
- Acquired beds, mattress/box springs for shelter bedrooms, with extra linens and pillows
- Purchased computer system and paid for DSL connection
- Completed kitchen dining area remodel (Flip-a-Kitchen) with new appliances, furniture and cooking equipment
- Installed new perimeter wood safety fencing.
- Completed bathroom remodel
- Provided a remodel of storage closets
For the past decade the projects completed by PLA/ALMM have offset the cost of operating The Shelter. The program could not function on the level it does while serving the numbers it does without the support, project creation, and implementation provided by the volunteers of PLA. In addition, the multiple and ongoing service projects, Essentials, Fresh start kits, Upscale vouchers, to name a few, have impacted the program significantly. Professional Leader’s Auxiliary of Assistance League of Mid-Missouri has changed the real-life dynamics of families recovering from the trauma of domestic and/or sexual violence. The Shelter estimates that PLA’s contributions have helped over 3,000 victims of domestic or sexual violence since its inception.