“Sunshine comes in numerous forms”
As Action Week for National Assistance League arrives on February 23, the name Anne Banning reappears at the forefront. She was known as the child of Los Angeles’s “power couple.” Rather than amass power, Ann Banning sought to empower those in the community who were vulnerable, initially victims of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Anne recruited her well-connected women friends to raise money for those who were underserved by conventional charities. Another event, the Great War of 1914-1919 inspired Ann to provide service to families in need. Shortly thereafter, Ann and her friend, Ada Edwards Laughlin, founded Assistance League.
Throughout February, chapter member volunteers involved with Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s Sunshine Boxes Program will emulate Anne Banning’s relentless determination when providing shelf stable food for home use to identified children during the weekends. Each month, 400 Sunshine Boxes, each box costing $15 have materialized. Established in 2019, this program also provides items of personal hygiene to recipient elementary schoolchildren in the Pittsburg Unified School District.
On February 9, Sunshine Boxes received a grant of $4,000 from Drysdale Community Foundation, which is funded by donations from individual agents with Berkshire Hathaway Home Financial Services Drysdale Properties. What an expression of their personal commitment to the communities they serve! Anne Banning’s legacy of improving the lives of those who are vulnerable in our community remains constant.
And yet, the Sunshine Boxes program also needs you, our generous community members, now more than ever. Please join this worthwhile and rewarding pursuit by accessing this link – www.gf.me/uly4nacg and scrolling to Sunshine Boxes, gofundme page and consider making a $15 donation. Likewise, please share this idea with family and friends.
