 Assistance League® of Indianapolis members Sunny Shuai and Darrell Spisak Assistance League® of Indianapolis welcomes Darrell Spisak, the first man to join our organization.
Spisak is part of a growing trend of male membership in National Assistance League's 120 chapters throughout the United States. Assistance League of Indianapolis is the 78th chapter and was organized in 1984 and chartered in 1988, with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We are delighted that Spisak has decided to join in our quest to help our community through our philanthropic projects. His membership will hopefully pave the way for other men to participate in our mission of caring and commitment to adults and children in the Indianapolis community. “I became interested in joining Assistance League because of my wife. My wife, Sunny (Sunny Shuai), joined Assistance League this past summer and volunteered several times for Operation School Bell® and OSB Shoes,” explains Spisak. “Each time she came back home after volunteering, she would tell me how much fun she had and how much she enjoyed interacting with the kids. She felt the work was very rewarding. One day Sunny asked me if I wanted to help out with Shoes since they were going to be shorthanded for the day and needed some extra people, so I jumped at the chance.” “I ended up volunteering twice last summer. In the fall, Sunny asked if I wanted to became a real member. I asked if she was sure that I could since I had always assumed that Assistance League was a ladies-only organization. She assured me that anyone could join and I was excited for the chance to become a member so I could volunteer for all positions/activities. I’m hoping I’ll have the chance to contribute a lot more this year.” As a member-volunteer association our members are the strength of our organization. For the year beginning June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019, members devoted 24,933 charitable hours, which if paid by an employer would calculate to $642,773. The Assistance League of Indianapolis 2019-20 fiscal year expense budget is $532,942. Please visit our website's About Us page to find out more about membership in Assistance League of Indianapolis  Support from individuals, organizations and businesses makes it possible for Assistance League® of Indianapolis to continue its mission of caring and commitment to the community. Recently, volunteers from Salesforce have stepped up and generously donated their time and manpower both before and after the opening of our 2019 season.
A short time later, they came to experience Operation School Bell in action. On Wednesday, August 14, Salesforce individuals partnered with members to witness how each participating child gets a special one-to-one shopping experience. They were able to witness the happiness of the students as they received their brand-new clothes and supplies, plus observe our point-of-purchase system in action.
We enjoyed meeting the dynamic team of volunteers representing Salesforce and truly valued their help. Their commitment to community service is to be admired. Their efforts will help put smiles on the faces of the children who will come to Operation School Bell this fall. Visit https://www.alindy.org/apparel.html for more information on Operation School Bell  Barb Mohr, with husband Pete on the left, accepts the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award The Ada Edwards Laughlin Award is named for the co-foounder of National Assistance League who remained "less visible". Recipients are those that exemplify someone who works very hard, but often stays behind the scenes.
The following narrative, written by Vickie Theis, explains why Barb Mohr is so deserving of this award: Barbara Mohr, who received the Ada Edwards Laughlin Award at our Annual Meeting, is dedicated, passionate, reliable and always willing to help whenever needed. She quietly works above what is expected of a member in the true “Ada spirit”. Since joining Assistance League in 2009 she has recorded over 3,500 volunteer hours. Nomination letters described Barbara as someone who:
 An online giving campaign, Mission Possible: Campaign for Kids, will start April 1st to raise funds for the philanthropic programs of Assistance League of Indianapolis: Operation School Bell, Assault Survivor Kits, ALI Bears, and ALI Friends. The campaign will conclude with a Spring Celebration at the beautiful Embassy Suites Conference Center, Hamilton Town Center, Noblesville, on Friday, May 3rd.
Corvette Indy will kick-off the night with a car show featuring 20-25 Corvettes in the Embassy Suites parking lot from 5:30 to 6:45pm. Inside the venue will be a cash bar with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and a DJ. The dress for the evening is business casual. Dinner will be served at 7:00pm. Fox59’s Ray Cortopassi will emcee the evening’s program that includes a live auction. Renowned speaker Kim Anthony, founder of Athletes in Action’s All-Star Moms Champion Outreach and former ESPN reporter and US National Gymnastics Team member, will give her vision of hope. Enjoy a casino night hosted by the Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple following the program. Each guest will receive 25 free chips to begin, and more can be bought if you run out (make that lose!). Fun prizes will reward the winners! Tickets are $100 per person or $125 for a patron ticket. A sponsor table for eight is $850 and a patron table is $1050. Both table types will receive recognition in the program. Come and bring family and friends to this fun event which supports our philanthropic programs! Your attendance will help us continue our mission of caring and commitment to the Indianapolis community!  On Wednesday, November 28, Assistance League® of Indianapolis will host “Come Jingle and Mingle,” our annual Holiday Luncheon and Style Show. This fundraising event has become a holiday tradition for many ladies in the greater Indianapolis area. Members, friends, mothers and daughters look forward to this festive celebration that starts the holiday season.
As in past years, the Holiday Luncheon and Style Show will be held at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. This year the room will be decorated will some surprises that are sure to warm the hearts of all 550 attendees. There will also be the chance to do a bit of holiday shopping. The day begins with a silent auction filled with many unique items. Clothing and accessories will be available for purchase from The Secret Ingredient. Zionsville Olive Tap will be offering their specialty oils and vinegars and 4 Kids Books & Toys, also of Zionsville, will be on hand to offer a selection of items. Rounding out the field of vendors is Bath Junkie Carmel with their fun soaps, lotions, and bath accessories for all ages. Attendees can enjoy themselves even more with the knowledge that proceeds from the Holiday Luncheon and Style Show benefit children and adults that Assistance League’s® programs serve. To learn more about these philanthropic programs visit https://www.alindy.org/programs.html This annual event sells out each year. Visit https://www.alindy.org/holiday-luncheon.html in order to make sure you secure tickets before they are gone!  On Friday, July 13, 2018, from 12:30 to 1:30 and 1:30 to 2:30 at St. Francis-In-The-Fields Episcopal Church, 1525 Mulberry Street, Zionsville, the Zionsville Boys and Girls Club will be aiding Assistance League® of Indianapolis by giving a helping hand to the ALI Bears program.
ALI Bears is a program of Assistance League of Indianapolis. Loveable and huggable teddy bears are given to hospitals, hospice centers and abuse management agencies. In turn, they give them to children and adults that are struggling with emotional or physical issues. 21,965 bears have been distributed since the program began. Children attending the Boys and Girls Club of Zionsville Caring Hands Camp, with a theme of Kids for Kids, will be dressing the bears and packing them for delivery to the various agencies requesting them. This joint project will teach the kids the value of community service and inspire them to make a difference in their community. On Thursday, December 7, 2017, Assistance League® of Indianapolis made the future brighter for the children and adults served by its philanthropic programs. The hard work and planning of Creating a Brighter Tomorrow, the Holiday Luncheon and Style Show Committee, headed by chairmen Kathy Kinzel and Cynthia Potterack along with vice chairman Kathy Kerr Wylam, was evident as members and their guests enjoyed the beautiful seasonal décor, silent auction, shopping opportunities, and style shows.  In the photo above from left to right are event Co-chairmen Cynthia Potterack, Kathy Kinzel and Vice Chairman Kathy Kerr Wylam. Vice President of Resource Development Annette Suggs supported and worked with the committee during the planning of the event.  Over 530 people attended this annual event which was held at the Ritz Charles in Carmel. It has become a traditional way for many in the Indianapolis community to kick off their holiday season. Public Relations Coordinator Peggy Powell and Social Media Coordinator Julie Yates promoted the luncheon; however, many participants love to return year after year.  The theme of the event, “Creating a Brighter Tomorrow” was set into place by the colorful graphics on the invitations designed by Kathy Detzler. The colorful motif continued with the dazzling décor by the decorating committee led by Lynne Hurlbut and Margie Graham. Even the name tags distributed by the Reservations Committee of Andrea Arbore and Kathy Lengerich sparkled with color.  The event opened with the commencement of bidding on the plentiful items available in the silent auction. Coordinators of the Auction Committee, Leslie Morgan and Carol Valentine and their workers artfully arranged each item which led to some spirited competition. Susie Main and Judy Tomke along with their Auction Tally crew, skillfully determined the winners.  Attendees had the chance to shop for clothes, accessories and jewelry from The Secret Ingredient, Inc. an Indianapolis boutique. The Secret Ingredient donated ten percent of the sales made at the event back to Assistance League and also sponsored the style show which attendees enjoyed after lunch. Sandy Spear, as Style Show Coordinator, recruited Assistance League members to model the fashions.  Matilda Jane children’s clothing was also available for purchase and all were charmed by the adorable Kid’s Style Show that was viewed during lunch. Sales representative Brooke Fitzsimmons donated ten percent of the days sales to Assistance League. Cheri Gerdt, coordinated this popular portion of the event.  Jane Edington decorated a “Gift Card Tree” embellished with lovely ornaments and $500 worth of gift cards. The gift cards were donated by Chris and Emily Cunningham of Service Plus Heating, Cooling and Plumbing and tickets were sold to raffle it off.  Adding to the fun of the day was the 50/50 Raffle manned by Susan Kwiatkowski.  As lunch was beginning many longtime supporters of Assistance League of Indianapolis were introduced. In the photo, row one left to right are: Erin Trisler, The Clowes Fund; Judi Jones (Dennis), Shaw-Burkhardt-Brenner Foundation; Mary Katherine Schnitz, MCR Charitable Foundation, Inc.; Margaret Cole Russell, MCR Charitable Foundation, Inc.; Jennifer Pittman, OneAmerica; and Dr. David Hillman, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. In row two left to right are; Dorothea Genetos, Shaw-Burkhardt-Brenner Foundation; Kathy Jenkins (Thomas), Shaw-Burkhardt-Brenner Foundation; Susie Moore, GiveMoore Foundation; Lee Ann Hoy. Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust; Estherre Wohlenhause, The Clowes Fund; and Beverly Casselman, The Clowes Fund.
Lee Ann Hoy and Dr. David Hillman presented Assistance League President Rosemary Crowley and Chairman of Grants Nancy Moran with a $20,000 check from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Assistance League of Indianapolis is grateful for the support of the businesses, organizations and individuals such as the luncheon attendees whose generous gifts allow our mission of caring and commitment to the Indianapolis Community. Donations and grants benefit our philanthropic programs: Operation School Bell® which supplies new school clothing, hygiene supplies, books, and new athletic shoes; ALI Friends which brighten the lives of disabled or older adults at care centers; Assault Survivor Kits® which provides new clothing for victims of assault; and ALI Bears which gives teddy bears to grieving or ill children or adults. Be a part of Giving Tuesday! Help Create a Brighter Tomorrow for a child or adult in need any day this week! Just click the DONATE button below or text ALINDY to 77948
Giving Tuesday inspires personal philanthropy and encourages bigger, better and smarter charitable giving during the holiday season. This global event was first introduced in 2012 with tremendous success, and we are proud to be a participant in 2017. Support the programs of Assistance League of Indianapolis Operation School Bell® Assault Survivor Kits® ALI Friends ALI Bears  On Monday, October 16, 2017 the Operation School Program® clothed its 57,000th child! Shown in the photo above is A’Rayah Pastures, a 3rd grade student at Forest Glen Elementary School in Lawrence Township. A’Rayah’s personal shopper was Deb Myers, Operation School Bell-Apparel Chair.
Since 1984, Assistance League® of Indianapolis, through its Operation School Bell®-Apparel Program, has been CREATING A BRIGHTER TOMORROW for many children in Indianapolis. Our goal for 2017 is to clothe 3,375 disadvantaged students. Children are referred by school personnel from Indianapolis Public Schools and The Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren and Washington Townships. Students are bussed to our shop, located in the IPS Forest Manor Professional Development Center, where they are treated to a unique shopping experience. The children are excited to receive special treatment from their own personal shopper, an Assistance League member, who will guide them in choosing their new school items. Each child receives a new warm winter coat, hat and gloves, socks, undergarments, and a belt. They also receive 2 pair of pants, or a jumper or skort, 3 collared shirts, hygiene items, a book and a duffel bag to hold all of their new items. In addition to Operation School Bell – Apparel, Operation School Bell – Shoes began in 2000-01, providing new athletic shoes for 1,108 IPS school children. This program continues to grow and now includes children from IPS and the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, Washington, and Wayne Townships. The program’s goal is to reach 2,850 students this year. Operation School Bell® Beyond the Bell was made a permanent program of Assistance League® of Indianapolis in 2014. This program provides a supply of new clothing to IPS schools served by Operation School Bell – Apparel. Student recipients of Beyond the Bell items are homeless, displaced or new to their school and are not otherwise served by Operation School Bell. The 2017 – 2018 goal for the 3 Operation School Bell® programs will be to serve 4,800 students. Operation School Bell® helps children arrive in the classroom better prepared to learn. Studies show that children who come to school appropriately dressed show improvement in classroom performance, attendance and self-esteem. The poverty level of elementary aged children has grown significantly as measured by the number of children qualifying for the free/reduced lunch program. In the five school districts served by Operation School Bell, a staggering 43,451 students now qualify for free lunch. Assistance League® of Indianapolis, with the support of their 200+ volunteer members strive to provide comfort to children and adults in the greater Indianapolis area. To learn more about our programs, please visit our Programs Page. Recently, three members of Assistance League of Indianapolis have helped spread the word about the great things the organization is doing for our community. On March 15, Ellen Bernstein and Carol Valentine spoke to the Sertoma Club of Broad Ripple. Valentine stated, "We appreciate that they are a long time supporter, and that without the generosity of donors such as Sertoma of Broad Ripple, we would not be able to help so many deserving families." Below is a section of their newsletter which summarizes what they learned from Bernstein and Valentine's visit.  Member Susan Tracy received the Helping Hands Award from the Ranj Puthran Agency in Carmel. Published in the March 2017 Carmel Monthly Magazine, the notification raises readers' awareness about the wonderful things Assistance League does.  |
