“Yes!” exclaimed over 500 Sunland Elementary School students at a recent all-school assembly when asked, “Do you like to read?”
School Principal Lisa Dachs-Ornelas announced that more than 300 books would soon be on the school library shelves, and thanked the members of Assistance League of Flintridge (ALF) who had voted to organize a book drive for the school.
Present for the assembly and representing ALF was the ALF committee for Community Needs Assessment and Outreach, chaired by Linda Gill. Sunland Elementary classroom teachers were invited by ALF to compile a list of titles that their students would enjoy, and the books were then purchased and donated to the school by Assistance League of Flintridge. They were purchased with funds from ALF’s 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 Assistance League of Flintridge and its auxiliaries. Many Assistance League of Flintridge members also chose to buy individual books on the list to donate to the school.
The ALF Community Needs Assessment & Outreach committee worked closely with Uma Schrivastava, owner of La Cañada Book and Toy Store, to purchase the requested books at an optimal price.
Assistance League of Flintridge chose this book drive as its participation in USA Weekend Magazine’s annual nationwide “Make A Difference Day.” ALF past recipients include the La Cañada Flintridge County of Los Angeles Public Library, the Special Day Preschool Classroom at Paradise Canyon Elementary School, and Apperson Elementary School in Sunland.
Also present for the assembly at Sunland Elementary School were John Rome, Los Angeles Unified School District director for the Northeast District; David Gonzalez, education deputy for the office of Monica Ratliff, member of the L.A. Board of Education; and a representative from the office of Felipe Fuentes, councilmember for the 7th District, City of Los Angeles. Certificates of commendation were presented to Assistance League of Flintridge.
For information about Assistance League of Flintridge, visit the website at ALFlintridge.org, or call (818) 790-1328.