Assistance League of Amador Valley is transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs powered by its volunteer members. Assistance League of Amador Valley consists of approximately 100 women who donate hours to philanthropic programs to help those in need in Tri-Valley communities. It is part of a national nonprofit, volunteer-based organization.

"Through a variety of programs benefiting children through seniors, we donate about nine thousand hours annually in helping our community," says Barbara Campos, Chairman of Public Relations, who has been a member of Assistance League Amador Valley for eight years.

Assistance League members can often be found at the Pleasanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center or the Pleasanton Senior Center. There they may organize and lead social activities or manage the magazine library. Volunteers also participate in Book Buddies, a program that pairs community volunteers with second graders from local elementary schools for reading sessions. The organization also partners with the Tri-Valley Food Pantry by making bi-weekly food contributions. Members also work at the counter to distribute food. The Pantry distributes free groceries to more than 2,000 low-income Tri-Valley residents each month.

"We have just completed our largest philanthropic program, called Operation School Bell," notes Campos. This year approximately 350 children of needy families were invited to go to Kohls and select school clothes. "My favorite part is the feeling I get when I watch the expression on the face of a seven-year-old child who has just chosen new school clothes for the first time."

In 2019, the group marked the 19th year it has been involved in this program. Over that time, it has helped an estimated 5,500 Tri-Valley children pick out new clothes free of charge. A volunteer walks with a child through the store to help the child select clothes within a budget of $125 to $150 each. Each child also received a new toothbrush and tooth-care kit.

The group is involved in other programs as well. "Screening Eyes Early is a program in which our volunteers are trained to check preschoolers' vision," says Campos. "They go into preschools and check for vision irregularities."

Last year, 606 Tri-Valley children were tested, and 16 were identified and referred for further evaluation. According to the National Eye Institute, between two and three out of every 100 children have visual acuity deficiencies. Unchecked, these irregularities can hinder learning in school.

The 26,000 member volunteers of the National Assistance League are what make the organization so remarkable, according to Campos. "Each one is incredibly generous and imaginative. Each one is highly motivated to effect change in their communities because they have a personal stake in the outcome. And each one has the spirit to get the job done, whatever it is and whatever it takes."

An outsider looking at Assistance League of Amador Valley programs might be surprised by how much it does with a small budget. As a 100% nonprofit, "our budget is determined by the size of donations, grants, and fundraising events," says Campos. "We really depend on community support for our programs."

One way the community can support the group is by attending its annual Mad Hatter's Tea. This year it is scheduled for April 25, between noon and 4 pm, at the Shrine Event Center in Livermore. By purchasing tickets, attendees help clothe elementary school children in the community, support families that need a helping hand with groceries, offer social activities for seniors, and help with other outreach efforts.

For more information about Assistance League of Amador Valley, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/amador-valley.

For more information about Assistance League of Amador Valley events, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/amador-valley/events.