ABOUT US

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.

LAS ALETAS AUXILIARY

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. Members volunteer their time and talent to three philanthopic programs. Operation School Bell® Goleta serves students in the Goleta Union School District, the Kids on the Block puppet shows entertain and educate children, and Operation Book Shelf provides home bound individuals with reading and audio material. The members assist with Assistance League philanthropic programs and Assistance League Thrift Shop staffing.

ASSISTEENS® AUXILIARY

Assisteens, a national auxiliary formed in the 1930s, provides teenagers with opportunities to serve those in need, develop a sense of responsibility and community spirit and learn leadership skills. Our chapter formed an Assisteens auxiliary in January, 2006, and the group’s enthusiastic boys and girls developed their own philanthropic and fundraising programs, as well as offering support to the chapter. Membership provides an opportunity for teens to complete community service hours required for graduation and the skills and experience they acquire reflect favorably on their college applications.

The Ukelele Lulus

The Ukulele Lulus of Assistance League of Santa Barbara have been playing and singing together since 2003.  Originally the 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, performing as a community outreach program for Assistance League of Santa Barbara, bringing the joy of music to many local groups who benefit from their enthusiasm and opportunity to sing along.

Assisteens Charter Members; The original group of teens were children of the Las Aletas Auxiliary Members

2020, the auxiliary had approx. 25 members

Can you imagine 120 chapters with 26,000 members, each gearing up to do a one time a year project together. Well, that is exactly what is going to take place. The project is ACTION Week!

Assistance League Thrift Shop

Our shop is the primary source of funding for Assistance League of Santa Barbara's philanthropies.  A wide variety of quality goods are for sale, including clothing, books, toys and household goods. Assistance League of Santa Barbara returns over 90% of its funds to our local community through our philanthropic programs.

Volunteers

Our shop is staffed entirely by volunteers! Over 35 members are working every day we are open to receive, clean, organize and price every item that is donated. Our goal is to provide our customers the very best we can offer.

Donations

All items in the thrift shop are donated by members, local merchants and the public of our wonderful community. They are tax-deductible and gratefully accepted during store hours. Come visit the Assistance League Thrift Shop.  You may be surprised at what you will find!

1259 Veronica Springs Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105  (805) 687-9717

Visit us on Facebook for more information about our beautiful shop and its current events !

Thanks to our Patrons and Donors who make it possible for our thrift shop to fund most of our programs.