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56-year old Valley group still giving

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Contributed by: LINDA SCHIMMEL on 4/20/2007

Many people in the Valley have not heard of the Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley, nor of its many achievements. But this League happens to be one of the oldest charity organizations in the Valley. It began over 56 years ago by a group of women who wanted to make a difference.

In the spring of 1951, 11 young women met to discuss how they could serve their growing community, the San Fernando Valley. At that time, the Valley was in its infancy with orange groves and farms dominating its land. But with the mass exodus out of urban environments into the suburbs, Los Angelenos were moving north, into what was called "the country." The eleven young women noted that along with the Valley's population growth was the advent of new civic, cultural, and welfare agencies, and the need for public support and volunteer help.

After a year of study and planning, the young women officially became the Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley. Its purpose was to offer volunteer help and financial support to needed facilities of their local community. Over the years, the League has given support to a multitude of organizations such as the McKinley Home for Boys, West Valley Red Cross Center, Arts Scholarships for California State University at Northridge, Children's Home Society, and dozens more.

In 1977, the League purchased the 1921 "Baird House" at 14603 Hamlin Street in Van Nuys. This home became, and still is, their League Centre. In 1978, this California bungalow-style "Baird House" was designated as a historic/cultural monument in the San Fernando Valley.

Today, the Volunteer League is still giving to the Valley communities. It's main purpose is to improve the quality of life of children and senior citizens through three major projects: The Centre Clothes Corner, Kids on the Block, and Choral Music.

Through their Centre Clothes Corner, each year the League clothes over 1,200 needy children from the Los Angeles Unified Schools throughout the Valley. The children are selected by the nurses, social workers and principals of their schools. At the League House in Van Nuys, the children are given new clothing: pants, polo shirts, skirts, sweat suits, underwear, shoes and socks. Cheri Friedman of Tarzana and President of the League, indicates that "these new clothes allow children to fit in with their peers, helping to create a sense pride and dignity."

The Kids On The Block is an educational puppet program designed to teach youngsters about disabilities. Using oversized hand puppets, the volunteers represent the blind, those with cerebral palsy, and attention deficit disabilities. The program is presented to second through fourth graders in the San Fernando Valley Schools.

The Kids On The Block director, Aliki Stilianos of Encino, says, "The stimulating questions posed by the children, along with their follow-up thank you letters, are real indications of the value of this project."

Although the League's main thrust is to provide for children, they also feel it is important to give to senior citizens, a group too often forgotten. Each year, the League's Choral Group, the Troupers, enrich the lives of 600 senior citizens who reside at convalescent, nursing , and assisted care facilities, serenading them with their favorite tunes. It gives senior citizens an opportunity to be recognized and to fondly reminisce about their past.

Throughout its 56 years, The Volunteer League has not received or depended on government support. They are able to keep their causes alive through assistance from private businesses, corporations, and individuals. All donations go directly to clothing the children, providing enrichment programs in the schools, and to helping senior citizens of the Valley. The League's annual fundraiser is a vital event in helping to support their three main projects. This year's fundraiser will be held on Friday evening, May 4, at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana. The festivities, with a "Casino Royale" theme begins at 6:30 p.m.

The league not only welcomes tax-deductible contributions, but they continually seek new members to help give to the needy children of the Valley. For more information on how you can help with a contribution, become part of the Volunteer League, or attend the "Casino Royale Night" Fundraiser on May 4th, you can visit www.volunteerleague.com or call the League Centre at (818) 785-4134.

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