POSTED: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Assistance League runs five programs to help youths, community

Kathy Robbins feels blessed that she has found the perfect volunteer opportunity in retirement, considering the love of children she developed in more than three decades of teaching.

The Assistance League of Bellingham, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, helps people of all ages, especially local children in need. To help support its activities, the league runs a thrift shop at 1322 Cornwall Ave.

About the group: "We have five philanthropic programs," said Robbins. "All the money we raise stays here in Whatcom County to service local needs."

This school year, Operation School Bell has given more than 1,200 children new clothing purchased by the league, and awarded shoe vouchers and sweat shirts to 350 middle-schoolers.

"The need has become so great during the recession," Robbins said. "The 1,200 children are up from 930 last year."

The Enrichment Scholarship Program provided 53 youths in sixth to 11th grade with more than $32,000 for summer enrichment activities, such as music, drama and debate.

"We've given out more than $100,000 in scholarships over the last six years," Robbins said.

Also, the Hospital Patient Support program has provided more than $4,000 in clothing and activity items for victims of assault or trauma; the Care Center Support program offers seasonal gifts to nursing home residents who would otherwise be forgotten; and the league has provided $3,000 in clothing, supplies and thrift shop vouchers to victims of domestic violence.

Major events: The league holds three major fundraisers: A Mardi Gras gala and auction in February, a fall fling luncheon and fashion show in October, and a yule boutique and craft fair in November. The next Mardi Gras will be Feb. 20 at Bellingham Golf and Country Club, with a silent auction at 5 p.m. followed by dinner.

Why she joined: "I retired from teaching in 2003 after 32 years, and I wanted to volunteer," said Robbins, who joined in 2005 and is now the Bellingham group's president. ""The Assistance League appealed to me so much because it touches so many different age groups in the community. Of course, there's always a special place in my heart for children."

Member stories: "Dorothy Moles, of the Moles Funeral Home family, is an amazing pianist," Robbins said. "At our recent yule boutique she played the piano for hours."

"Barb Griffin sought out and found two of our scholarship recipients to play strings at the boutique," she said.

"Patricia Lee and Wendy Smith are examples of people who found they had talents they never knew they had when they joined the Assistance League," Robbins said. "Patricia is a retired nurse who is our fundraising chair, and Wendy is a retired teacher who is now running our thrift shop."

Michelle Nolan is a freelance writer.

AT A GLANCE

Name: The Assistance League of Bellingham.

Purpose: Provide philanthropic help in the community.

Meets: 11:30 a.m. the first Wednesday each month at Bellingham Golf and Country Club.

Year started: 1977.

Number of members: 107.

National affiliation: The Assistance League, founded 1935.

Contacts: 738-2803 and assistanceleaguebellingham.50webs.org.

Leadership: Kathy Robbins, president; Charlotte Knodt, recording secretary; Rosemary Selver, treasurer; Patricia Lee, fundraising chair; Wendy Smith, thrift store manager.

More: If you know of a club to be profiled, contact Dean Kahn at 715-2291 or dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com.