Today on The 425 Show we chatted with Community Volunteer Ellen Cressey, and President Elect Mahrukh Motafram with Assistance League Eastside, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization helping families in need on the Eastside and throughout the State. With 120 chapters throughout the United States, their Eastside organization became the 98th chapter in 1989.
Providing programs to meet the needs of their local community, they are making a difference in the lives of children and adults touched by hardship or violence. A primarily woman based organization, their 140 members have dedicated their time as volunteers, allowing 100% of all profits to go back into the organization.
Voted as the best nonprofit organization by The 425 Magazine it’s easy to see why Ellen and Marukh are so passionate about their organization! Offering 4 programs total, their signature program is “Operation School Bell“. Counselors choose kids, and families in need from the Bellevue, Lake Washington, and Northshore school districts and hold shopping events at local Fred Meyer’s, allowing kids to shop on their own for back to school clothes. K-5 are given $100, and 6-12 $150 to spend on new clothes, shoes, and coats which increases their self-esteem, and creates a successful school experience.
The Assistance League of the Eastside has helped nearly 22,000 people through their Assault Survivor Kit program. Women, men, and Children whom experienced an assault often have to surrender their clothing for evidence at the hospital. The organization has put together survivor kits, which includes a change of clothing (sweat shirt, sweat pants, socks, underwear), hygiene products and a note of encouragement – all signed by those who put together the package. The kits are delivered all across the state of Washington, as far as Yakima by their trusty members, they’ve named “The Fly Girls”.
Their Starting Over, and Help4Homeless programs provide baskets filled with more than 80 household items to local shelters so families fleeing from domestic abuse, or find themselves homeless can rebuild their lives in safety. Volunteers and partnered corporation’s come together to make over 100 baskets, stocked with cleaning supplies, toiletry items, new towels, and an encouraging note to say they care.
All of this wouldn’t be possible without their amazing fundraising events! Their most popular, is the annual Holiday Home Tour, the first Friday in December, you can purchase a ticket for $35 and tour 5 beautifully decorated homes in Kirkland. Raising over $47,000 in previous years, the annual event is made possible with the generous support of local homeowners, event sponsors, volunteers, guests, interior designers and retailers. If you would like to help support our upcoming 2019 Holiday Home Tour, you can email them at info@aleastside.org or call 425.556.5106.
If you are interested in becoming a member, or would like more information on The Assistance League, you can visit their website. To volunteer, or see a full list of their upcoming fundraising events follow them on Facebook.
Cheers!
Nicole
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