Looking back at the beginning of Volunteer League in Valley





The Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley is one of the oldest charity organizations in the valley, founded more than 56 years ago by a group of women who wanted to make a difference.

In 1951, 11 young women met to discuss how they could serve their growing community in the San Fernando Valley. The women noted that along with the valley’s population growth was the advent of new civic, cultural, and welfare agencies, and the need for public support and volunteer help.

The Volunteer League was founded with the purpose of offering volunteer help and financial support to needed facilities of the local community.

Over the years, the league has given support to a multitude of organizations such as the McKinley Home for Boys, West Valley Red Cross Center, Valley Committee for Los Angeles Junior Programs, Visually Handicapped Adults of the Valley, San Fernando Valley Symphony, Arts Council Scholarships for Cal State Northridge, Children’s Home Society, and more.

The organization is headquartered at the Volunteer League Centre at 14603 Hamlin St. in Van Nuys. This California bungalowstyle Baird House was built in 1921 and was designated as a historic/cultural monument in 1978.

Today, the league focuses on improving the quality of life of children and senior citizens through three major projects: The Centre Clothes Corner, Kids on the Block, and Choral Music.

Through the Centre Clothes Corner, each year the league provides new clothing and toiletries for more than 1,200 needy children from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The Kids On The Block is an educational puppet program designed to teach third and fourth graders in valley schools about disabilities.

Each year, the League’s Choral Group, the Troupers, enrich the lives of 600 senior citizens who reside at convalescent, nursing and assisted care facilities by serenading them with their favorite tunes.

The Volunteer League has never received government support but is financed through assistance from private businesses, corporations, and individuals. All donations go directly to the programs.

The league not only welcomes tax-deductible contributions, but continually seeks new members.

For more on contributions or membership, call the League Centre at (818) 785-4134 or visit www.volunteerleague.com.


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