Members devoted to their community
Make a difference
Our member volunteers manage a variety of programs to benefit underserved populations in the St. Louis metropolitan region. Each program has a unique delivery model and focus. We provide everything a child needs to wear to do well in school, athletic shoes and socks, personal care items for women and children in shelters, books for aspiring readers, and items to help families through tough times when they can't find help elsewhere.
Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) was honored by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri with its prestigious Gold Trefoil Award. This award is reserved for an organization (or individual) outside the Girl Scouts that has made a superior contribution to the Girl Scouts and has had a council-wide impact.
Pictured left to right are Dr Natissia Small, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri; Sue Dugan, ALSTL Outreach Chair; Denise McKibben, President, ALSTL; Dawn Kotva, Chair, Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri.
ALSTL has supported a girl scout in earning her Gold Award and has made space available at its headquarters for their neighborhood leaders’ council to meet monthly. Through an ongoing partnership, ALSTL has also supported the April Showers Collection of hygiene and cleaning products and has been the recipient of items that the Girl Scouts collect each year.
ALSTL Outreach Program co-chair Susan Dugan said, “Because of the generous contributions from community members to the April Showers program, the Girl Scouts’ annual gift has provided significant support for individuals and families in crisis, who are served by our Outreach program. The personal hygiene items are also a valuable part of the first night kits provided to victims of domestic violence by Assistance League’s Project ROSE.”
This year’s April Showers Collection is scheduled for April 13. ALSTL volunteers will once again assist at the distribution point. Items collected will benefit ALSTL community programs and the important work of other community organizations.
| "Every year we say, ‘I don’t know how next year’s event could possibly be any better,’ but somehow it seems that it always is." |
Marriott St. Louis West was the scene of this year’s Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) Authors Brunch, a major annual fundraiser to support ALSTL’s five community programs. The sold-out event featured author, Martha Hall Kelly (pictured above waving in the left rear of the audience), whose debut novel Lilac Girls was an instant New York Times bestseller the week it was published and went on to sell two million copies. Hall has since authored three additional best-selling works of historical fiction, including most recently The Golden Doves.
Over 370 guests enjoyed an author meet and greet and book signing, a gourmet lunch, and opportunities to win luxury experiences and baskets. An event highlight was Hall’s in-depth keynote presentation entitled Celebrating Resilient Women.
ALSTL members and guests also shared touching mission moments of resilience, including words from Janie Burse, McKinney-Vento Social Worker in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, who recounted stories of how Assistance League is building resilience in the homes of students and families in her district. She said, “ It is hard to know where to begin to express the incredible impact this amazing organization has had on the students and families in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. The Outreach Program has become a vital resource in serving our families in need.”
ALSTL president Denise McKibben said, “We are so grateful to all who attended the Authors Brunch to support our work in the community. Every year we say, ‘I don’t know how next year’s event could possibly be any better,’ but somehow it seems that it always is. This year’s event co-chairs Nancy Lynn and Jill Greulich led an amazing team of volunteers to plan this outstanding event!”
See more photos in Town & Style and on Assistance League of St. Louis' Facebook Page.
Meet the People Who Help Us
