The members of Assistance League of the Chesapeake have one fundamental purpose: to strengthen our community through programs helping children, families and adults. We are part of National Assistance League—an all-volunteer organization with over 23,000 members in 120 chapters across the United States. Over the life of our chapter, we’ve served 200,000 children and seniors and contributed over 100,000 hours of service in Anne Arundel County.
Click on more numbers at left to learn more about what we have accomplished.
Assistance League of the Chesapeake members volunteered 4,500 hours at our partner schools through our Project Literacy program. Our volunteers staff a monthly guest reader program, tutor children, work in classrooms, sponsor literacy-based enrichment programs, donate books to students, and organize several enrichment activities (like our Pen Pal activity) that promote positive behaviors for effective learning.
In 2022-23 school year, our chapter’s Kids In Need program gave 3,100 uniforms to students at seven Title I schools in Anne Arundel County. Parents and teachers at these public schools voted to have the students wear uniforms. A complete uniform includes pants, a shirt and sweatshirt, underwear, socks and toiletries.
“The Kids In Need program takes a village, and our members are responsible for delivering school uniforms to thousands of students. Sometimes it’s the only new item of clothing these students will receive all year.”
Marty Sippel, Kids In Need Uniform Program Chair
Assistance League of the Chesapeake gave 1,281 books to students at our partner schools. Every student received a book to read over the summer.
“The reading program at Georgetown East Elementary School makes a real difference. The teachers are seeing much higher reading levels in their classes, a measurable outcome.”
Maureen Smith, AL Chesapeake Volunteer
Our members donated over $4,000 in supplies for expectant mothers in our community. We do this annually at our Showers of Love Baby Shower.
Over 600 senior citizens are reached through our sing-alongs and our greeting card program at local assisted living and nursing home residences. Residents enjoy songs they remember from their youth, providing encouragement and companionship. They also receive greeting cards at major holidays.
Our chapter performs our Kids On the Block puppet show for 1,000 students at 13 schools in Anne Arundel County. This educational puppet troupe brings life-size puppets to visit elementary school classrooms throughout the county to talk with students about cultural differences, bullying and learning disabilities. The targeted scripts help children accept individual differences and learn valuable social skills. We now have a video of the show which has allowed even more schools to benefit from the program.
