HISTORY
Assistance League of Santa Barbara is the 10th of 120 chapters of National Assistance League, the first nonprofit, nonsectarian organization begun in the West to help those less fortunate. Our local story began in 1948 when a group of women joined together to form the Assistance League of Santa Barbara.
Meetings were first held at members’ homes and then at the Montecito Country Club. In 1952, the chapter rented a small house on Anacapa St. where the women sold a variety of goods, from homemade items, clothing and jewelry to furniture and baked goods.
In 1955 the Hunt-Stambach House, built in 1880 by architect P.J. Barber for Col. Charles C. Hunt and later owned by Dr. Henry Stambach, was slated for demolition when members of Assistance League came to its rescue, saving a fine example of early local architecture. Meetings and luncheons were held there for ten years. The chapter moved to its present home in 1965.
MEMBERSHIP
The Assistance League of Santa Barbara has approximately 350 members, who volunteered over 54,000 hours last year to support and implement sixteen philanthropic programs. We are an all volunteer organization with no executive director or paid staff, and the Board of Directors, which is comprised of the officers and committee chairmen, are elected annually. Nationally, 24,000 Assistance League members in 29 states donate over 3 million volunteer hours each year, this serving over 1.5 million people.
Auxiliaries
Las Aletas
The chapter’s auxiliary, Las Aletas (Little Wings), was formed in 1964 for the daughters and daughters-in-law of members, but soon opened the membership to all interested women.
Assisteens ®
A national auxiliary formed in the 1930’s, provides teenagers with opportunities to serve those in need, develop a sense of responsibility, community spirit, and learn leadership skills.
Ukulele Lulus
Originally the Ukulele Lulus were a small group of members interested in learning how to play the ukulele, sing and have fun! Over the years the group has grown to over thirty members.