“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
“What difference will my small contribution make?”
When we are faced with opportunities to give, many of us wonder about this. Assistance League has courageous and profound goals that will change the lives of children in need, and transform our communities. Small contributions may seem insignificant in light of these goals. But, the opposite is true.
In the past, we have had restaurants like Gordon Biersch, Chevys and Lebanese Taverna kindly agree to give us a percentage of the price of the meals ordered on a certain day. Many of us have chosen to eat at these restaurants on the specified day and this has collectively made an enormous difference to each additional child we have been able to clothe. Just another “eating out” for us, but huge for a child in need with no clothes for school.
While our chapter gets generous grants from several organizations, we also rely heavily on small fundraisers that we hold throughout the year. In addition to the restaurants mentioned, we’ve worked with other businesses like Talbots and a number of consignment shops such as New To You. Any items in good condition that members may have given away are instead taken by these consignment shops and sold on our behalf with a portion of the proceeds going to us.
What do we do with the money we earn from these fundraisers?
We transform donations into uniforms and books for students at Title I schools. This is in addition to our volunteer work tutoring elementary school students, performing in the Kids on the Block educational puppet troupe, leading sing-alongs with area senior citizens, and donating items to the Stork’s Nest Baby Shower at the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center.
Which brings us to our next fundraiser.
On Thursday, September 28, we will be partnering with The Greene Turtle (177 Jennifer Road, Annapolis). We encourage members and their friends and families to come to the Greene Turtle on the 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (yes — the whole day) when the restaurant will share 20% of the gross sales that we bring in that evening. Carry-out is included. All you have to do is simply mention to your server that you are with Assistance League of the Chesapeake, or bring in the flyer at the bottom of this blog.
We like that we can use community fundraising to improve the lives of children and families right here in the greater Annapolis area. Our group is 72 members strong, with most members contributing significant service hours to our programs.
Finally, we are thinking about the people who have been impacted by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey. National Assistance League® has set up a fund for donations to the chapters in Texas so that they can continue their work, which is all the more important when people have lost so much. Go to www.assistanceleague.org, and click on Assistance League in the Community, for more information.
Yes. You CAN make a difference. When we all make small contributions, it becomes a wonderful wave of giving that has a powerful impact on the in-need children of our county.
Assistance League of the Chesapeake is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults through community-based philanthropic programs.
