Corvallis group has grown from 96 members to 223

Four decades ago, a group of Corvallis women were so inspired by the work of other Assistance League chapters in Oregon that they decided to form their own.

In 1968, they held their first meeting, with a strong beginning membership of 96 women united with a goal of serving children and adults regardless of their race or creed.

Forty years later, the league continues to serve the needs of the community by offering five philanthropic programs that do everything from providing teddy bears to children in crisis to making sure area schoolchildren have new clothes to wear to school. The Assistance League of Corvallis now has 223 members, who provide more than 17,000 volunteer hours a year to the community.

Doris Caldwell was one of the five women who founded the local chapter and is still a member of the organization. She was friends with a member of the Salem chapter in the 1960s, and liked what she was hearing about the group.

"It sounded like a good organization - really helpful for people," she said.

Many of the programs offered through Assistance League today were started by the founding members. Caldwell's special focus was Operation School Bell, which provides new clothing to Benton County school children.

She said belonging to the organization has always been a joyful experience for her, and even though she's now retired to Stoneybrook Lodge, she still participates with the league.

"We have fun doing it and are happy doing it," Caldwell said.

Chapter historian Gracie Shannon joined the league in 1980 and chaired several programs and events, including the "Red Stocking Revue," which used to be a large theatrical production put on annually that featured singing and dancing. The event was a big community draw, and often helped boost membership for the league, Shannon said.

Shannon said the strength of the organization continues to lie in the quality of its members.

"These are extremely bright and talented women that can tackle anything," she said.

Charlene Hunter has been with Assistance League of Corvallis for six years, and said the group is coming up with new ways to raise money for service projects. Currently, the group's main fundraisers include Winter's Eve Corvallis, an annual downtown shopping event during the holidays, and a biannual home tour.

This fall, the organization will launch a new fundraiser called "The Galleria." The event will take place Oct. 18 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ and will feature a series of small shops, including a kitchen corner and a "home for the holidays" area.

The league used to be invitation-only, but is now open to anyone interested in participating in one or more of the group's philanthropic activities. Members are required to pay yearly dues and must also commit to at least 50 hours a year in volunteer work.

More active members, such as Hunter, can rack up quite a few hours. She's accumulated more than 1,600 volunteer hours in her six years.

"I enjoy the other women," she said. "There are so many I wouldn't have met (otherwise). There are so many talents among the women, and (the league) is a good way to show them off."

For more information, go to alcorvallis.org or call 757-1978.

Assistance League programs

Operation School Bell: Provides new clothing for eligible Benton County school children including jackets, shoes, jeans, shirts, sweats, socks and underwear, as well as a personal hygiene kit. Around 600 children are served each year.

Dental Care: Volunteers provide sixth-graders with a presentation on dental care, and members coordinate dental appointments for kids in need.

SAT review: Provides classes for 300 high school students to prepare them to take SATs.

Hug-A-Bear: Provides an ongoing supply of teddy bears to law enforcement agencies to comfort children in traumatic situations.

CARES (Clothing Assistance in Real Emergency Situations): Provides clothing, as needed, to patients in the Emergency Department at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.