As many newly retired folks do, Dunwoody’s Ellen Frank found herself searching for a meaningful cause to support when she quit working in 2015. She pitched in with a few organizations before discovering the Assistance League of Atlanta, a group of about 270 volunteers who find the variety of opportunities and the flexibility of tasks among the main attractions.
“We’re going against the trend of having a hard time getting volunteers,” said Frank, who is serving this year as the league’s president. “We have women and men in their 60s, 70s and 80s doing all sorts of things. I like to say we pay to be volunteers.”
The league is a membership organization that asks participants to pay $75 to join. But the fee is a small portion of the group’s income; its main revenue source is Attic Treasures, a Chamblee thrift shop that’s open four days a week and sells a range of donated merchandise.
“People come from all over to shop,” said Frank. “We have an email list we send to about 6,000 people to tell them what’s on sale, and they read it. We’re a destination business.”
Among the racks and shelves of designer clothes, jewelry, household goods, furniture and children’s items, the occasional steal appears. A donated painting recently sold for $1,600, while an antique bird cage went for $650. Items that can’t be sold go to the DeKalb police who distribute them to those in need.
Beyond the store, the league supports a variety of causes that give members the chance to use their talents in different ways. In the fall, they pack up clothes, shoes and new books for about 5,000 students in Fulton, DeKalb and Atlanta schools as part of Operation School Bell. Backpack Buddies provide 110 children at Gwinnett’s Norcross Elementary and DeKalb’s Dresden Elementary with food for the weekend. Last year, volunteers sent 4,000 comfort teddy bears to area hospitals.
The league also supports the clothing closet at Shepherd Center, works with partner organizations to supply household goods and layettes for indigent mothers, awards scholarships to area colleges, provides hygiene kits to the Gateway Center for people without homes and distributes children’s books to area schools.
While much of the work takes place in the league’s Norcross headquarters, volunteers also venture into the community. On Oct. 7, they’re holding a tournament at Bear’s Best Golf Club in Suwanee where first responders are invited to play for free. The next day, other members are heading to a retirement center in Decatur to stage a fashion show with items culled from the store.
“The beauty of this organization is it lets you spend time doing what you want,” said Frank. “And there’s always something to do.”
Information about the Assistance League is online at assistanceleague.org/atlanta.
DOING GOOD
Who’s doing good? Each week, we highlight a deserving individual, charity or event such as a fun-run, volunteer project and other community gathering that benefits a good cause. To suggest a story, please email hm_cauley@yahoo.com or call 770-744-3042.
HELP US CELEBRATE EVERYDAY HEROES
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is looking for inspiring Georgians – “Everyday Heroes” – who are making a difference, big or small, in their communities.
Do you know someone who is going above and beyond to help others? Someone helping transform their community? Someone whose acts of kindness bring out the best in all of us?
We’d like to hear from you – give us your ideas so we can all celebrate these extraordinary Georgians.
Please submit your nominations via email to Nicole.Williams@AJC.com.
About the Author
