Los Gatans, Saratogans form an Assistance League chapter
Thanks to the efforts of a small group of area women, Los Gatos and Saratoga now have their own chapter of the National Assistance League.
The chapter had its genesis in early 2000, when Los Gatan Chrystie DeSoto contacted the National Assistance League for information on forming a new chapter. By March 2000, two league representatives had come to the area and educated 13 local women about the organization.
Those women, who became a steering committee for the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga, are Jill Bess, Chrystie DeSoto, Sonja Haws, Gail Hehir, Terre Hepburn, Angela King, Sharon McCall, Becky McEntee, Loretta Rosengarten, Susan Swartz, Mary Swentzel, Gail Veeder and Peggy Yetter.
In May 2000, several dozen local women attended a chapter meeting at the Los Gatos History Club; the chapter attained full guild status in October 2000, as a result of having more than 40 charter members. January 2001 saw the group's first fundraiser, called Antique Show and Tell. The event grossed more than $8,000.
In May 2001, the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga elected its first slate of officers: Chrystie DeSoto of Los Gatos, president; Jan Ehrhardt of Los Gatos, vice president of membership; Kathy Duryea of Los Gatos, vice president of philanthropy; Mary Swentzel of Saratoga, vice president of fundraising; Carole DeSantis of Saratoga, recording secretary; Kristine Burke of Los Gatos, treasurer; Shirley Johnson of Saratoga, education chairwoman; and Louise Webb of Saratoga, public relations chairwoman.
The National Assistance League has been in existence since 1935. Its mission statement is "to act as a friend at any and all times to men, women and children in need of care, guidance and assistance, spiritually, materially and physically." Presently, there are 106 chapters throughout the United States, with more than 23,000 members.
Operation School Bell is among the largest philanthropic projects of the National Assistance League. The local chapter's school-related goal is to provide supplemental clothes for more than 50 children living in the Santa Cruz Mountains by the time school starts in September. Other chapter activities include volunteering at the Saratoga Senior Adult Care Center and the Los Gatos Senior Center.
The Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga welcomes new members. An informational tea takes places July 31 at 9:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, at 16548 Ferris Ave. in Los Gatos. For more information, call Jan Ehrhardt at 408.356.4274 or Louise Webb at 408.867.9533.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
