Assistance League of Mid-Missouri, a non-profit volunteer organization which has greatly benefited Columbia Public Schools and its students, celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this school year.
The philanthropic organization serves women and children in the community. Through fundraising efforts such as its Cookie Connection, annual comedy night and the Upscale Resale store, the organization has provided scholarships, newborn necessities, assault survival kits and many other resources to those in need.
Two programs in particular benefit the students of Columbia Public Schools — Operation School Bell and Links to Learning.
Operation School Bell provides new clothing and personal hygiene kits to children in need. The program is the largest currently provided by the Assistance League and allows students to pick out their own brand new clothing with the assistance of an Assistance League volunteer serving as the child’s personal shopper.
The Links to Learning program has awarded nearly $1 million to the public schools in the past 20 years. The program provides funds to Columbia Public Schools’ teachers to enrich student learning experiences related to district curriculum, improve students’ achievement, involve and benefit students and foster interdisciplinary instruction, enhance higher order thinking skills and/or support multi-age structures.
