Sitting prominently in downtown Chamblee is a little shop called Attic Treasures Thrift Shop ran by the Assistance League of Atlanta. Ellen Frank, who has been a member of the organization for nine year, is president of the Atlanta chapter. She explains that the thrift shop in Chamblee is a main source of income for the organization. “It generates quite a lot of money even though it’s only open 24 hours a week,” she says. The other main source of money comes by way of an Annual Charity Golf Tournament held at the Bear’s Best Golf Course in Suwanee, Ga., that's held in October. Money raised from the thrift shop in Chamblee and the golf tournament go to fund the various programs offered by the organization.
Started in California, the Assistance League has chapters throughout the United States. The Atlanta Chapter has no paid employees and currently has about 290 members. The main philanthropic center is located in Peachtree Corners.
Ellen says when she retired, she wanted to volunteer, and after trying a few organizations, she said the Assistance League of Atlanta was a perfect fit. “It gives members a lot of flexibility,” she says. “You’re not tied to a set schedule, and there are a lot of opportunities. I found that really exciting and interesting.”
The opportunities include the many programs the organization offers that help the people specifically in the communities they serve. The organization’s signature program that started in California and is required for each chapter - Operation School Bell. Ellen says through this program, they provide a week’s worth of brand-new clothes and more for school-aged children. Ellen says the Atlanta Chapter provides clothing and a book for thousands of children each year for area schools.
In addition to the signature program, each chapter has programs that provide for their community’s unique needs. Those programs include Backpack Buddies that provides food to young students, Bears for Children to provide comfort for children who are facing a crisis or hospital stay, and so much more. The Assistance League of Atlanta also works with other organizations such as Mary Hall Freedom Village in Sandy Springs and the DeKalb County Police Department to further their reach to those in need.
Ellen says the funds from the shop in Chamblee goes toward a number of different programs and she says they have a good following with an email list of about 6,000. “I find it fascinating because people come to the shop from all over,” she says, adding that on Tuesdays is when new merchandise comes in and they often have people waiting at the door for the shop to open.
The Assistance League of Atlanta is a 100% volunteer organization. For those looking to volunteer and think the Assistance League of Atlanta may be the right fit, Ellen says the best way to learn more about the organization is to contact the Atlanta office or visit the website. There is a membership fee, an orientation and training. “Once you become a member, then you can work in the shop or any of the programs,” she said. There are lots of opportunities for leadership and for people to use their special skills to help. For example, teachers tend to work with the books because they know from experience which books children tend to like and need depending on their age. “It’s fascinating to watch everybody doing different things,” she says. And volunteering isn’t just for ladies. Ellen says men can help out as well in areas like technology, deliveries and more.
For information about the Assistance League of Atlanta, the Attic Treasures Thrift Shop, volunteer opportunities, and more, visit assistanceleague.org/Atlanta/.
Assistance League of Atlanta is a 100% volunteer organization.