Members of t
he Assisteens of Redlands, the teen auxiliary of Assistance League of Redlands, celebrated Earth Day at their April meeting by planting drought-tolerant flowers and plants at the Assistance League Thrift Shop building.
The 90-member organization’s project added color to the building’s landscaping and used drought-tolerant plants with wood chips as ground cover to help the plantings retain moisture and avoid water loss through evaporation
“In honor of Earth Day, we also conducted a workshop, with each member planting green bean seedlings into a peat pellet to take home and eventually transplant to their yards,” said Lisa Aubry, programs co-chairman with McKenna Avery.
“This activity was especially creative and exciting because our group was able to help the community and thrift store by beautifying the environment, and honor Earth Day at the same time,” she said.
Also in April, Assisteens elected officers for 2015-16. New board members will be Lauren Guggisberg, chairman; Jocelyn Chu and Sheridan Selby, co-vice chairmen; Jillian Surdzial, recording and corresponding secretary; Amy Ma, treasurer and resource development; Lisa Aubry and Sarra Larif, programs; Emily Sibley, membership chairman; Kristin Lee and Natalie Shink, hospitality; McKenna Avery and Katie Liu, social chairs; Allie Burns, philanthropic projects; Kimberly Dougherty, thrift shop liaison; and Katie Liu, parliamentarian.
Assisteens members have been busy logging volunteer hours throughout the year, working at the Assistance League Thrift Shop, Family Service Association of Redlands, Micah House, Boys & Girls Club of Redlands, Redlands Symphony Association, Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival and local elementary schools.
On April 11, the high school members and their invited guests attended the Assisteens Spring Dance, themed Masquerade and held at Burrage Mansion in Redlands.
Other social activities this year have included a kidnap breakfast, the annual Christmas party at the Burrage Mansion for the Boys & Girls Club members, the Senior Medallion Dinner and the annual Recognition Dinner in Weeks Hall at First United Methodist Church of Redlands.
Assisteens of Redlands membership consists of boys and girls in grades eight through 12. Operating under the direction of its student officers, meetings are held monthly from September through May.
In a related article, the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival thanked their 2015 Community Ushers: “We are so thankful for our community volunteer ushers! Each individual and group comes out every summer to ‘pass the red bowl’ and help collect donations for the Summer Music Festival.”
