The Assistance League of Amador Valley serves the needs of children, teens, families,  and seniors who need someone to talk to or extra help. Members donate their time and talents to make a difference in the Tri-Valley community by helping transform the lives of children and adults through community programs that help those in need. It is part of a national nonprofit, volunteer-based organization.

The group sponsors many important community programs. They include Operation School Bell, which provides new school clothing to elementary students in need; providing take-home reading books and activities for local foster children; caring for the retired and elderly in a variety of ways; creating "birthday bags" with birthday gifts and party supplies for children celebrating a birthday while living at Tri-Valley Haven, a local shelter; and shopping for and donating food to the Tri-Valley Food Pantry, which distributes free groceries to more than 4,000 low-income Tri-Valley residents each month.

Unfortunately, the pandemic made it impossible to run Operation School Bell this past year. The group quickly switched gears and, instead, "provided over 400 headsets or earpieces and microphones so students could attend school online," according to Bobbie Kosnik, the Chair of the Food for Families Committee in an interview published on the nonprofit's website. The Assistance League also provided an estimated 2,000 books to elementary school children this year.

The Assistance League of Amador Valley has donated to Tri-Valley Haven programs for several years, according to Kosnik. "Since the pandemic started, our members have provided Tri-Valley Haven's food pantry and families in great economic need with eggs, milk, sugar, flour, bread, and cooking oil. We also contribute chicken and meat products when our budget allows. These items are essential and greatly needed as the food pantry often runs out of these necessities."

Donors and volunteers make it possible for the group to aid Tri-Valley families that need groceries, offer social activities for seniors, provide clothing and headsets to elementary school children, and help with other community efforts. Supporters can aid the Assistance League in several ways: by becoming members, making a donation, or attending one of the group's events. The annual Mad Hatter's Tea, for example, is scheduled for April 30, 2022. Proceeds from the fundraiser go directly to programs benefiting the Tri-Valley. The event includes high tea service with tea sandwiches, scones, desserts, and assorted teas; a Mad Hatter's Hat Contest; raffle prizes; and a silent auction. 

The Mad Hatter's Tea also features a "museum-quality vintage fashion show from the mid-1800s to the 1960s," according to the organizers. "The show is a program of Goodwill Bags, a volunteer auxiliary of Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay, which has presented vintage fashion shows since the 1970s. Their shows feature authentic clothing from the time periods featured, using clothes donated to Goodwill or purchased by volunteers, with historical commentary. Each show presents a different assortment of clothing."

For more information about Assistance League of Amador Valley, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/amador-valley.

For more information about Assistance League of Amador Valley events, please visit www.assistanceleague.org/amador-valley/events.