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Chapter History.
In the spring of 1991, Donna Beckett and Betty McClure began an enthusiastic campaign to interest others in Columbia in forming an Assistance League® guild. Encouraged by Pat Mooney, AL St. Louis and Judy Frame, AL Kansas City they attracted an excited group who recognized the potential of the organization for the community. That September other women throughout the community were invited to learn more about the mission and vision of Assistance League. In 1992 a guild was officially begun and by 1994 all the criteria for becoming the ninetieth chapter of Assistance League had been met. Our first office was in the Green Meadows Shopping Center. From the beginning Assistance League of Mid-Missouri has lived its motto, "Working together...Making a difference."
Assistance League thrives on challenges! Its members relish the opportunity to grow in all ways-membership, philanthropic programs, financial resources, facilities, donors, and community awareness. By the spring of 1996, the eager chapter members had researched, implemented, and were funding four philanthropic programs-Kaboodle Kits, Book Bags, Links to Learning, and Assault Survivor Kits®. They had developed two major sources of revenue-Cookie Connection and the Columbia Community Resource Calendar. Comedy Night, which we cosponsor with Job Point, began in 1997. The member's can-do attitude has been the driving force for accomplishment and a magnet attracting community support and other service minded women to membership.
Chapter members ready to bike ride at AL social event.
In April, 1999, the excited, but somewhat apprehensive chapter opened a resale store-Upscale Resale. Judy Carter and Becky MacLellan, chapter members and previous presidents, and volunteer shop manager, Darwin Blanchard, led the effort to make Upscale Resale a success. Chapter members were justifiably proud of the ever increasing achievement of this business enterprise when Upscale Resale was recognized in 2002 by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year in the Not-for-Profit category.
Again, growing pains prompted Assistance League to consolidate the resale shop operations, their Operation School Bell store of new clothes, and the chapter office at a larger new custom-designed, more visible site in the Broadway Shopping Center, our fourth location. November 1, 2000 was opening day. The financial success of Upscale Resale and the Fill Your Heart donor letter, which began in 2001, allowed Assistance League to significantly increase funding for all philanthropic programs, especially Operation School Bell® and Links to Learning. In 2002, Bundles for Babies was added to our already existing Parent Packs program to assist new parents as they leave the hospital after the birth of a new baby.
During the sixteen years since Assistance League became a guild, the chapter has provided help to thousands of women and children in the Mid-Missouri area. They continue to seek new ways to offer support and aid to those with needs. Whether measured by dollars or service hours, their contributions to the community have been impressive. From the beginning, the energy and enthusiasm of the members has been contagious-their accomplishments are their rewards. Their can-do attitude has propelled Assistance League to new achievements every year. Assistance League is a success story of women contributing their skills, time, and efforts as volunteers and entrepreneurs. They put caring and commitment into action every day in the Mid-Missouri area.
Assistance League of Mid-Missouri is proud of its past and looks forward to a future of "Working together...Making a difference."