Assistance League of Chicagoland West

Operation New Start Delivers

Becky Moats, Heather Laughman, Pat Allen and Barb Keller

Operation New Start had a great turnout on August 23 to pack and deliver 12 kitchens to DuPage PADS. Thanks to Becky Moats, Barb Keller, Mary Kay Shukis, Pat Allen, Diane Kurtz, Sandra Verbeek, Debbie Newman, Jamie Marucha, Heather Laughman, Marie Raffl and Mary Parsons.
ONS delivers year-round but this was its biggest delivery.

Becky, Barb and Pat

Barb, Mary Kay Shukis and Pat

Becky and Barb

Pat and Becky

Heather

Becky and Barb

Marie Raffl, Jamie Marucha, Diane Kurtz, Deb Newman

Sandra VerbBeek, Mary Parsons, Marie, Deb and Jamie

Mary, Marie and Sandra

Kitchen essentials piled high

Barb

Barb, Mary and Heather

Bella Cosa evening a sparkling success

Bella Cosa means beautiful things in Italian

Bella Cosa Jewelers in Willowbrook Town Center opened their doors to Assistance League members and friends on May 8 for a private shopping evening.

Owner Joe Molfese has been a frequent and generous contributor to Books & Brunch's fabulous grand prize raffle. Darien residents Joe and his wife Amy believe in supporting their local community. They also believe in offering outstanding service and quality merchandise, including an extensive selection of diamonds and wonderful jewelry for all occasions. Remember to mention Assistance League when you visit Bella Cosa Jewelers.

Meg Cooper, Bella Cosa owner Joe Molfese, Laurie Cleary and Diane Mrozek

Linda Legner looks interested in something

Lots of happy shoppers

Deb Newman and Ricki Lessig

Packing Bags for Operation School Bell

Diane Kurtz unpacking boxes of hats

Temperatures were soaring outside, but the scene inside ALCW's new office was cool and calm as members stuffed matching coats, hats and gloves into our striking red Assistance League logo bags.

"I never expected to get this far," said co-chair Linda Gonnella. "It's phenomenal. We are so far ahead of previous years thanks to such great volunteers."

Linda added, "To be a founding member and see us grow into such a wonderful organization is great."

Maria Kim and Sandra Ver Beek show off ALCW coat bag
ALCW friend Beth Clemen and Judy Casten in background

Judy Casten packed bags with hats and gloves

Deb Newman and Sandra Ver Beek search for matching accessories

Co-chair Linda Gonnella

Linda Gonnella, Maria Kim, Deb Newman, Joanna Williams, Jamie Marucha, Judy Casten, Diane Kurtz and Sanda Ver Beek

Same Group with Marianne Cortopassi and Marguerite Spangehl

Operation Early Reading clean-up

Maria Kim, Ricki Lessig, Judy Casten, Laila Alamuddin, Paula Whitelaw and Carla Feinkind (clockwise)

Operation Early Reading backpacks served 697 preschool and early elementary students during the
2011-2012 school year. The sturdy plastic backpacks receive a lot of wear and tear as they are passed from one student to the next and carried home to promote family reading.

Members gathered together on Monday, June 11 with an ample supply of wipes and other cleaning supplies to spift up the packs for another year of use. (Looks like one incentive for morning work sessions is our even closer proximity to Dunkin Donuts, which is now a stone's throw away on the same side of the street.)

Moving offices

Members showed up at the old office on Friday, June 1 to finish packing. We sure have a lot of stuff!

Diane Kurtz

Marguerite Spangehl

Diane Mrozek, Becky Moats and Diane Kurtz

Becky Moats

Sally Rozak

Mary Parsons

Heather Laughman

Diane Mrozek and Madelon Pearlman

New Board installed at annual luncheon meeting

Carla Feinkind passed the wand to new president Heather Laughman

Our annual chapter meeting, new board installation and luncheon took place on Wednesday, May 23. We were pleased to have charter member Marilyn Krafthefer in attendance as well as several new members who joined this year. Thanks to Carla for hosting and to Marguerite for
planning and delicious catered lunch and setting up tables
and chairs for the ladies who attended.

Introducing the

2012-2013 Board

Marie Raffl, Secretary; Linda Legner, Communications Director; Laurie Cleary, VP Donor Development; Marguerite Spangehl, VP Membership; Heather Laughman, President;
Meg Cooper, VP Event Fundraising; Ricki Lessig, Treasurer; Betty Cronin, VP Philanthropic Programs

Thanks to the 2011-2012 Board
Heather Laughman, Secretary; Laurie Cleary, VP Donor Development; Carla Feinkind, President; Meg Cooper, VP Event Fundraising; Marianne Cortopassi, Communications Director;
Ricki Lessig, Treasurer; Diane Mrozek, VP Philanthropic Programs. Not pictured Trish Reider, VP Membership.