The spacious, high-ceilinged rooms are brightly lit, smell good and have wide aisles with attractive clothes. But don't be deceived by the mild-mannered exterior. With the money, the League provided uniforms, dictionaries and shiny new backpacks to more than 1,300 public school children who otherwise couldn't afford them, and free vision and hearing screening for some 1,790 children at preschools countywide. The Assistance League of Sonoma County, founded in 1962, is one of 106 chapters of the National Assistance League, headquartered in Los Angeles. The Sonoma County League makes the lion's share of its money from the thrift shop.
Some donations come in throughout the year.
Altogether, the League returns 90 percent of what it makes to the community. The League keeps costs low by doing almost everything itself. Members are usually asked to contribute the equivalent of two days a month to a project of their choosing. Some of the 160 volunteer members run the thrift shop, doing everything from waiting on customers to washing, ironing and pricing donated clothing. We truly work hard, but we have a good time.