Assistance League of Chicagoland West

Books & Brunch - Preview Grand Prize

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Bella Cosa Jewelers located at Willowbrook Town Center, Plainfield Road and Route 83, for donating stunning 1.50 carat diamond hoop earrings (MSRP $2,100). Thanks to Pat Mrozek and Diane Mrozek for introducing Bella Cosa to Assistance League of Chicagoland West and our upcoming Books and Brunch fundraiser. Raffle tickets are $15 each or 5 for $50. You can visit Bella Cosa's website at   Bella Cosa Jewelers

Operation School Bell knee deep in coats

Becky Moats eager to get to work

The Operation School Bell team led by co-chairs Maureen McKenna and Linda Gonnella have spent much of September unpacking large boxes of coats, hats and gloves and repacking them for distribution to students at more than a dozen DuPage County schools. The philanthropy is expected to hand-out between 1,700 and 1,800 coats this season.

Betty Cronin and Marie Rossi label coat bags for students

Becky helps fill bags

Maureen oversees the busy volunteers

Maureen and Linda
take a break to smile for photographer Marie Raffl

Carla's comments

Carla Feinkind, ALCW president; Trish Reider, VP of Membership; and Madelon Pearlman, a past president and member of the National Assistance League board as Resource Development recently returned from the National Assistance League Conference held September 12-16 in New Orleans. Read Carla's insightful comments below.

On the Conference:
There were many interesting speakers and many networking opportunities. The most exciting new development on the national level concerns the virtual community. We already have an excellent website with all of our documents and events there for members to access as well as a way to easily enter service hours. Now, National is encouraging Facebook as a way of reaching chapter communities and those beyond. Watch for developments on this front....and yes we can help you become a supporter and user of Assistance League of Chicagoland West on Facebook.

On Our Chapter:
One surprising thing is that though we are a small group in terms of numbers, membership and budget, our chapter is held up as an innovative and "happening" chapter! Everyone knew who we are for several reasons.

OUR 990 - Chicagoland has the best 990 (an IRS tax form). Our 990 is now sent out to guilds and struggling chapters as a model to emulate! We impress and are impressive.

BOOKS AND BRUNCH - Several other chapters will be holding their first book and author event after learning about ours and hearing that it is an excellent PR opportunity that we have successfully maximized.

PHILANTHROPY - Our programs are also seen as an excellent and effective use of our budget in order to make a real and impacting difference in people's lives. Everyone at the conference kept referring to the difficult times that our nation is facing. Those most affected are the vulnerable in our communities. You can really be proud that we are recognized as a group that makes a big impact on those who most need our help. We ARE a shining example of Caring and Commitment in Action.

LOOKING FORWARD - This is our year to celebrate our members and we will be using Facebook to help us do so. It has been 15 years since a tiny group of California transplants said Chicagoland needs some Assistance League style....Caring and Commitment in Action. Look at us NOW.

"Cocktails for a Cause" Party

Immediate past president Marguerite Spangehl meets with current president
Carla Feinkind and husband Leonard

On Saturday evening, August 28th, Assistance League members and their husbands enjoyed Cocktails for a Cause, organized by JoAnn Slezak and Judy Casten.

Judy and husband Tom graciously opened their lovely Hinsdale home to us. New members, charter members and invited guests came out to kick start another year of caring and commitment in action.

We enjoyed a sumptuous spread and plenty of wine. Judy even baked mouth-watering pies. Thanks to JoAnn and Judy for dreaming up and then organizing a fun evening that attracted new, current and original chapter friends and added a total of $3,324 to the coffers. Thanks to Marie Raffl for all the great photos.

Ricki Lessig and JoAnn Slezak looking fabulous in turquoise

Guest Ly Hotchkin, Meg Cooper, Guest Preston Quirk and Brian Cooper enjoy a glass of wine

Hostess Judy Casten (left) chats with guests

Phyllis Young and Diane Mrozek

Diane Mrozek and Marie Raffl

Guest Pat Grandy and new member Kathy Motherway

Maria Kim, Trish Reider and Marie Rossi

Marguerite Spangehl, JoAnn Slezak, Usha Swamy, Trish Reider, Marie Raffl, Roseanne Nash and Marie Rossi

The Motherways, Pat Grandy and Judy Casten

Mary Parsons and new member Heather Laughman with husbands

Getting the Word Out

Pat Mrozek and Roseanne Nash in Hinsdale

The blue and red Assistance League logo is becoming a familiar sight in the suburbs this summer thanks to all the dedicated members who are getting out and getting noticed.

Volunteers chatted with passersby and handed out brochures and bookmarks at the Western Springs French market on Thursday, June 24 and again at the Hinsdale Sidewalk Sale on Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10. Seven prospective new members signed up in one evening at the market and another 13 asked to be contacted during the Hinsdale sale.

Mary Parsons has done a wonderful job organizing volunteers and setting up our eye-catching display. Doesn't it look great!

Meet the New Executive Board

Executive Board 2010-2011
Ricki Lessig, treasurer; Marie Raffl, secretary; Meg Cooper, v.p. philanthropic projects;
Carla Feinkind, president; Marianne Cortopassi, director of communications;
Judy Casten, v.p. donor development; Trish Reider, v.p. membership; Laurie Cleary v.p. event fundraisng

Executive Board 2009-2010
Meg Cooper, Marie Raffl, Joanna Williams, Maureen Hegarty
Laurie Cleary and Marquerite Spangehl
Not pictured: Diane Mrozek, Paula Dupont, Ricki Lessig

The 2010-2011 executive board was installed at the May 26 chapter meeting after an evening of socializing and business.
Outgoing v.p. of membership Maureen Hegarty employed wit and wisdom to present every member with a certificate of appreciation, after detailing their numerous contributions over the past year. Outgoing director of communications Meg Cooper unveiled our new Assistance League Chicagoland West website, created by Meg with Donna Hannemann's technical assistance. And our wonderful outgoing president Marguerite Spangehl was presented the Assistance League Circle of Honor pin. Circle of Honor is a national recognition program created to honor and recognize members and leaders for their outstanding contributions to Assistance League. Congratulations to Marguerite on a job well done.

Under the Sea with Marco Flamingo

On Tuesday, April 27, Operation Early Reading chairperson Maria Kim and nine Assistance League volunteers read The Adventures of Marco Flamingo Under the Sea to 3-, 4- and 5-year-old Head Start students at Congress Park School in Brookfield and Seventh Avenue School in La Grange. The preschoolers listened to the story, then colored a picture of Marco while coming up with an adventure of their own.
"The kids' smiles and enthusiasm make it all worthwhile," Maria said. "Their expression upon learning that they were going to take a book home was heartwarming."

"I love the Marco Flamingo story that one of the little girls in the morning session came up with," said Phyllis Young. "She was in it!" Phyllis was a big hit with the kids thanks to her colorful necklace featuring under the sea creatures and shells.