We Are Nonprofit
OUR MISSION:
Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children through community programs.
OUR VISION:
Essential needs are met in our community and families flourish.
MOTTO:
Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community
Who is Assistance League Pueblo?
Assistance League Pueblo is a chapter of National Assistance League. While there are 120 chapters across the United States, the Pueblo chapter serves Pueblo City and Pueblo County school children and college students. NO MEMBER GETS PAID. WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS!
We provide new school clothing to underprivileged children who are referred by the school counselors as being in need. We do this through our signature philanthropy, Operation School Bell®, which takes place soon after the beginning of the school year. This program was started in 1973. In 64 years of this Program we will have provided assistance to more than 39,000 students.
We provide scholarships to qualified students attending Pueblo Community College and Colorado State University Pueblo.
We provide PAL Bears to children in crisis situations. These are distributed by the school counselors, funeral home directors, and emergency medical providers in Pueblo.
We provide Baby's Book Bags to at-risk pregnant women. These books encourage both maternal bonding and literacy as mothers are encouraged to read to their children.
How Do We Manage All This?
We own and operate the Bargain Box Thrift Store on E. 4th St in Pueblo. Our volunteers serve in the Receiving Room and on the Sales Floor. We have operated a thrift store since 1964. All your money stays in the Pueblo community.
We have fundraisers such as our Holiday Fashion Preview and Gourmet Luncheon, which has become a premier event since its inception in 1988. This year we are partnering in the 2019 Home of Heroes Spirit and Brewfest as a fundraiser option. The event will take place at the Pueblo Convention Center on Saturday, November 16th, 2019. Stay tuned for more information.
We rely on grants and community donations. We are very fortunate to live and work in the very generous city of Pueblo.
Community support is demonstrated, not only by cash donations, but by community members making donations of gently used clothing and housewares to our store and by shopping in our store.
You can help contribute to Assistance League Pueblo by donating HERE or becoming a volunteer. Call 719-544-1528 and leave a message. Try shopping at our "Bargain Box" store located at 1112 Pueblo Blvd Way, Pueblo, CO 81005. We also accept gently used clothing and household items. Remember; ALL of our proceeds stay within the Pueblo City and County area.
Leadership
It is the hard working volunteers that make our organization special. They make up all the working parts that keep Assistance League Pueblo alive. But any organization also needs leadership to make it thrive. That is the responsibility of the board members who are elected by our membership to serve each year.
The Executive Board meets monthly one week prior to the membership meeting. They solve problems, anticipate needs, explore new ideas, and keep records. In other words, they keep the organization organized!
2023-2024 Assistance League of Pueblo Board Members
President: Susan Bernal
Asst. Treasurer: Jean Riendeau
Secretary: Barb Murfit
1st VP: Shirley Knafelc
2nd VP: Kathleen Means
3rd VP: Stephanie Smith
Strategic Planning: Sandra Gotfred
Marketing and Communications: Mary-K. Peters
Annual Meetings
New Members
We welcome and celebrate new members who have joined us during the past 12 months.
Commitment Recognition
We also recognize and celebrate those volunteers who have been members for 25+ years.
Presidential Recognition
We recognize those volunteers who have, in the past, served as president of Assistance League
Pueblo and who are always invited to join us
at our annual meeting, even if they can no longer be active in our organization.
Board Member Inductions:
Every year in May, Assistance League celebrates the hard work of its volunteers and the accomplishments of the organization. This is also when we officially induct our new officers for the coming fiscal year, which starts on June 1 and ends on May 31. We recognize and thank our outgoing board members and welcome our incoming board members.
Tribute:
We remember and pay tribute to members who have passed away during the past 12 months.
It's a time for reflection, planning, fun and good food provided by our Hospitality Committee
3 Year Strategic Plan
Please feel free to take a look at our 3 year strategic plan for 2018-2021 as we plan for the future.
VIEW PLAN