Anne Hennessy, Judy Snyder and Linda Johnson, President

Assistance League of Flintridge and La Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals honor over 30 Retired Service Volunteers while celebrating the program’s 30th Anniversary at recent luncheon.
 
In years past, one served as a WAC while another was in the Navy Sea Bees. One used to ride bareback to grammar school while another grew up to become the principal of an elementary school and another became a Junior High School counselor.
 
Four took up nursing as a career…One plumbed the mysteries of the universe at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory while another mastered the secret of fine wine making at a winery.
 
Two were groundbreakers: one was one of the first four female officers appointed at the California Bank; another earned her driver’s license at 14. One was born in Norway, another in Hong Kong, and yet another crossed the border from Czechoslovakia to Germany on foot.
 
All are volunteers, today, in Assistance League of Flintridge’s (ALF) Retired Service Volunteers Program.

Retired Service Volunteers begin to arrive for the festivities!

 
“Every Friday, our seniors volunteer to assemble mailings for schools, churches and other community service and philanthropic groups,” explained ALF member Anne Hennessy, chairman of the Retired Service Volunteers program at a recent luncheon celebrating the program’s 30th Anniversary. “Our volunteers also help Assistance League’s Canada Auxiliary of Professionals (CAP) prepare care packages for hospitals and shelters and our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
 
Assistance League of Flintridge developed the program “to provide a location where active retired persons could find a place to continue their lives of community service and find like-minded friends,” added Linda Johnson, President of the league. “Since then, the Retired Service Volunteers have become a big part of the Assistance League family. We are so proud of the work they do for the many organizations that need them.”
 
Seniors interested in learning more about becoming a Retired Service Volunteer can call Assistance League of Flintridge at 818.790.1328 or email alflintridge@alflintridge.org. The group – which consists of both men and women – meets most Friday mornings in the Chapter Meeting Room at Assistance League of Flintridge, located at 4607 Oakwood Avenue in La Canada Flintridge.
 
Organizations currently turning to the Retired Service Volunteers for help with collating, labeling, folding and assembling their mailings include the Southwest Museum, the Humane Society, and the La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses as well as many churches and schools.
 

Bill Hacket from Assemblyman Portantino's office

 “But we’re always looking for more work,” said Anne Hennessy with a smile.
 
Nevertheless, Assistance League of Flintridge encourages organizations to “plan ahead,” when seeking the services – offered at no charge to nonprofit groups throughout the Pasadena area – of its retired volunteers. To schedule a mailing, contact the League at 818.790.1328 or email alflintridge@alflintridge.org.
 
In fact, the Retired Service Volunteers were working on a mailing for the La Canada Tournament of Roses and a local school newsletter on the morning of the Anniversary Celebration. Afterwards, however, in the Chapter Meeting Room, the seniors were treated to a lunch prepared by ALF volunteers, feted with an enormous cake festooned with an icing ‘photo’ of the group, awarded prizes and centerpieces and even took part in a spirited raffle. (Table Number 2 was particularly lucky.)
 
The Alfie Singers, a chorus of musically inclined members of Assistance League of Flintridge, made a special appearance to congratulate and serenade the seniors. Indeed, during the performance, several seniors were spotted singing softly along with the group.
 
“Seeing that felt better than hearing bravos,” said Judy Snyder, a member of the chorus who also works closely with the Retired Service Volunteers.

Bill Hacket, a representative of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, attended the festivities as well, to present the Retired Service Volunteers with a special commendation.

The Alfie Singers

 
“You are an inspiration to all of us,” Hacket told the audience, many of whom are still volunteering in their mid-90s.
 
In addition, Anne Hennessy shared a congratulatory message and proclamation sent by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.
 
“We love your spirit, we love your sense of humor, we love the way you appreciate us and we love your willingness to work in service to our community,” Hennessy assured the volunteers as the 30th Anniversary Celebration concluded. “In fact, we just love you.”
 
 
Established in 1951, the Assistance League of Flintridge is a nonprofit service organization of volunteers committed to identifying and serving the needs of the community through philanthropic programs developed and administered by its members. The Assistance League of Flintridge supports and administers seven philanthropies in La Cañada Flintridge and has two auxiliary organizations whose members also devote their efforts to effective community service:
 
    *       Assisteens® Auxiliary involves students in grades 7-12. They select their own philanthropic projects and fund them entirely through their own fundraising efforts.
    *       Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals (CAP), established in 1990, involves people in the workforce who wish to offer their time to philanthropic endeavors.
 
For more information, visit www.alflintridge.org. The Assistance League is located at 4607 Oakwood Avenue in La Canada Flintridge, California. Assistance League of Flintridge is a chapter of National Assistance League.