“When will the new books be here?” a Plainview Charter Academy Elementary School student eagerly asked after learning that more than 300 new books would soon be on the school library shelves. Members of Assistance League® of Flintridge (ALF) had organized a book drive for the school, allocating $3,000 to purchase new books for the recently renovated library.

Plainview Elementary librarian Luz Mendieta-Lopez was invited by ALF to compile a list of titles that the students would enjoy. The books were then purchased and donated to the school by ALF with funds from its Bargain Box Thrift Shop. Located in La Cañada Flintridge, the Bargain Box Thrift Shop is managed and staffed by ALF members. Through the sale of clothing and other items donated by the community, earnings from the thrift shop support the many philanthropic programs of ALF and its auxiliaries.

Many ALF members also personally purchased and donated books to the drive.

ALF’s gift of books was announced by Plainview Charter Academy Elementary Principal Kenneth L. Johnson at a recent school assembly.  Johnson encouraged his students to love books and has arranged for the school library to be open after hours two afternoons each week. Present for the event and representing ALF were President Donna Shepherd and the ALF committee for Community Needs Assessment and Outreach, chaired by Linda Gill. Members of the committee include Julie Crum, Mary Mieding, Nana Smith, Maureen Swenson, Lyn Messner and Rosalind Hilton.

The ALF Community Needs Assessment & Outreach committee worked closely with Uma Shrivastava, owner of La Cañada Book and Toy Store, to purchase the requested books. Shrivastava provided the books at a generous discount.

ALF welcomes new members all year round. For more information, visit the website at ALFlintridge.org or call (818) 790-1328.