Assistance League of Southern California founder Anne Banning learned from her volunteer experiences during World War I and in the Red Cross Shops that people enjoyed working in small rather than large groups. In the early days of the League, fundraising activities organized by members grew into auxiliaries that helped shape and support the new organization.

Anne Banning

This auxiliary was formed in 1955, beginning as a service organization for young women who had been members of ALSC’s Debonnaires or Junior Mannequins. It was named for the League’s founder, Mrs. Hancock (Anne) Banning. In the early days of the auxiliary, activities focused on helping children, which was done through a variety of fundraising events. Because members wanted more direct participation with youngsters, they researched potential service projects. Operation School Bell was adopted by the auxiliary, which had originally been developed by the Bakersfield Chapter of Assistance League. It opened in September, 1966.

Anne Banning volunteer members provide clothing and personal grooming products free of charge to impoverished children referred by LAUSD personnel. Each year, Anne Banning members give more than 25,000 hours of hands-on service by offering fashionable and appropriate school attire; purchasing the clothing that is distributed to the children; stocking and maintaining the OSB facility and OSB on Wheels and raising critically needed funding for OSB. Anne Banning Auxiliary sponsors ALSC Founder’s Day luncheon.

Bookworms

Bookworms was founded in 1937 by a group of women inclined to “literary pursuits” who would hold book reviews and literary salons. They sold and rented books to raise money for League services, which they did from a decorative “Bookwagon” that was situated in the League’s Thrift Shop.

Today, the Bookworms sell holiday cards from a large selection of card collections from August through November in ALSC’s Community House foyer. Sale proceeds benefit Children’s Services and other ALSC services.

College Alumnae

Formed in 1937, members were junior and senior women students from local colleges who were interested in promoting the League and its services at colleges and clubs in the Los Angeles area.

College Alumnae supports the Leagues’ Over 50 Club by hosting weekly bridge games and planning an annual holiday lunch. In addition, each spring, the auxiliary conducts their Champagne Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Fountain Court Restaurant to benefit the Hollywood Senior Multipurpose Center, Children’s Services, Adult Day Care Services and Over 50 Club.

Fine Arts

Founded in 1937 as the Fine Arts Committee, this auxiliary operated the “Little Gallery” located in the first Community House where paintings, sculpture and other art pieces were displayed and sold from local artists. Members invited professionals to speak and sponsored cultural enrichment through a series of programs.

Fine Arts activities continue to focus on the arts, and monthly meetings provide lectures and presentations by artists and musicians. Each spring, Fine Arts Auxiliary hosts its Fads ‘n Fancies luncheon that features a well-known guest speaker, which benefits Children’s Club.

Founder Assisteens of Greater Los Angeles

First known as the Junior Mannequins when they were formed in 1944, Founder Assisteens Auxiliary, for teens in grades nine through 12, participate in service and social activities. Young women volunteer 15 hours (10 of which is for Assistance League). They are involved in membership teas, fundraising and a mother-daughter brunch.

One of their annual activities is to organize a holiday shopping day at Children’s Club, which enables youngsters to select donated gifts for their families. After their four years of service, seniors receive Medallions in recognition of their volunteering.

Hilltoppers

In the 1940s, women living in the San Fernando Valley collected merchandise for ALSC’s Thrift Shop. Since many of the members had to travel over the Santa Monica Hills to regular meetings of Assistance League, they called themselves Hilltoppers. In 1950, the Hilltoppers began staffing the San Fernando Valley Branch of the Los Angeles Volunteer Bureau, now the largest volunteer center in the nation. In 1990, the Hilltoppers established Foster Children’s Resource Center (FCRC) to offer clothing to foster children referred by the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services.

The Hilltoppers members operate FCRC, one of eight services of Assistance League of Southern California. Their Hourglass Awards benefit honors outstanding foster parents and members of the community for their dedicated service to children and raises funds for FCRC.

Mannequins

The Mannequins Auxiliary, founded in 1943, was established by a group of women who combined their experiences and resources from the world of fashion. Over the years, The Mannequins became involved in assisting ALSC auxiliaries and other charitable and private organizations with fund-raising efforts by providing and producing fashion shows at their benefits.

At the Afternoon with Eve benefit, the Mannequins present Eve and Golden Eve awards to recognize individuals for their philanthropic and civic contributions, and there is a couture fashion show and high tea. Mannequins fundraising efforts benefit Children’s Club, Family Service Agency, Hollywood Senior Multipurpose Center, Learning Center for Young Children, Theatre for Children and Operation School Bell.

Nine O’Clock Players

Formed in 1929, this auxiliary was the first ALSC fundraising auxiliary, and it supported the Day Nursery by staging theatre productions (at 9 p.m.) as benefits.

Nine O’clock Players (NOP) operate and support Theatre for Children, one of eight League services, by handling all aspects of the productions—designing sets, making costumes, running sound and lights and acting in the productions. The NOP perform two classic children’s plays in the fall and spring of each year, bringing enriching cultural experiences to youngsters from low-income families and to those who have disabilities. Transportation is also provided. On weekends, the plays are open to the general public.

Preschool & Kindergarten Auxiliary

Originally known as the Day Nursery Fund Committee in 1924, the group was responsible for raising funds for a Day Nursery after it was determined that there was an urgent need for day care in Hollywood, especially for children of women employed as extras by the studios. The group established a Day Nursery that emphasized child development and was open to all children of working parents, regardless of their ability to pay.

In 1993, the Day Nursery Auxiliary was renamed Preschool & Kindergarten Auxiliary and continues to guide and support Learning Center for Young Children (originally Day Nursery). The Pre-School & Kindergarten Auxiliary’s annual Golden Mallet Invitational Polo Tournament held in Santa Barbara benefits Learning Center for Young Children.

Volunteers in Professions

ALSC members who had professional careers founded this auxiliary in 1989 so that they could be involved in ALSC during their free time. They have chosen to support Family Service Agency, one of ALSC’s eight services that provides guidance to families who are referred by health professionals, schools and the courts. They donate gift baskets for clients during the holidays, they initiated the “birthday book” gift project in 1999, where each children served by FSA receives a gift book on his/her birthday, and they conduct benefits and do patron drives to help support Family Service Agency.