The Assistance League of Flintridge’s Bargain Box is closed for now but will open before long.
The ALF website, alflintridge.org, will provide information regarding when the Bargain Box is expected to open and when it will be able to accept donations again.
ALF members have been busy making changes at the Bargain Box for the health and safety of shoppers and look forward to reopening. Because the Bargain Box has been closed, ALF has missed its primary means of raising funds for ALF’s good works, including those by ALF Operation School Bell, ALF Instrumental Music, ALF Drama, ALF Assisteens and ALFies in Action. Any monetary donations while this revenue source is closed will be greatly appreciated. Checks may be made out to Assistance League of Flintridge and sent by mail to ALF at 4607 Oakwood Ave., La Cañada Flintridge, 91011. These donations will help ALF members continue to provide needed services.
ALF would like to share good news that brought bright moments in 2020. ALF member Kathy Kumagai’s daughter, Zoe Kumagai-Elias, an alumna of ALF Instrumental Music and La Cañada High School, has been a valuable resource by sharing her virtual teaching and performing know-how to help re-launch ALF’s music and drama programs online. She is a full-time music teacher at a Title I school in Chula Vista, where 75% of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and 13% have disabilities. Kumagai-Elias has been teaching online since March and has raised funds through DonorsChoose.org, PTA and foundations to get her students/school instruments, music stands and music books for students to use at home.
ALF member Christie Crahan portrays the founder and first president of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Low, online. She has had 125 virtual events during the pandemic, with participants from 41 states. Crahan has raised nearly $3,000 for the Cabaña, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Center in Cuernavaca (“La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera”), Mexico. Crahan is now fundraising to support the Juliette Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia, a national Girl Scouts center that has felt the hardships wreaked by COVID-19. Crahan is a retired teacher and the recipient of many awards thanking her for bringing Juliette Low to life — including the Girl Scout Thanks Badge, the Golden Oak (California PTAs highest award), the Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award, and others — all as a volunteer committed to encouraging youth service for good.
ALF also learned of a 103-year-old grandmother who beat the virus and celebrated with a beer. Drive-in movies are popular again, but where are the drive-in restaurants with carhop service? The air seems cleaner and the traffic lighter. Not everything in 2020 was bad. But we are happy to welcome 2021.
For updates and news, visit the ALF website at alflintridge.org.
