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Have You Ever Wondered What “AL” Stands For?

Have you wondered, as you walk past the AL Thrift Store at 1415 N 45th Street, what “AL” stands for and who they are? I know I did when I first stopped in. I had just gotten the keys to my new apartment at Stonehedge, making my big move to live closer to my daughter. What I found there was more than just great bargains on some odds and ends I needed to start my new life at age 66—I was struck by the sense of community I felt the moment I walked through the door. At the front counter, I met volunteers around my age who shared their own stories of moving to Seattle to be near their grown children. More than three years later, I have become one of those volunteers myself. Now retired, I spend my time helping out wherever I’m needed, giving back to the place that welcomed me so warmly when I was new to the neighborhood.

The History of the Assistance League

So “AL” stands for Assistance League, an organization that began in Los Angeles in the late 1800s. Anne Banning and Ada Edwards Laughlin started helping local families in need, and following World War I, they formally established the Assistance League of Southern California in 1919. The organization grew steadily, opening thrift shops to fund its programs to serve anyone who needed help, and creating youth volunteer groups such as Assisteens. By 1949, chapters from communities throughout Southern California had joined together under a national organization.

Today, the Assistance League has more than 95 chapters nationwide. Volunteers provide school clothes, books, classroom supplies, teddy bears for children in crisis, and hospital kits for survivors of assault. One of its best‑known programs, Operation School Bell, has helped children since 1958 by providing new school clothes and other essentials that support student success.

Seattle’s AL Story

The Seattle chapter of Assistance League was established in 1962 as the 31st chapter in the United States. Its original home in Wallingford is where the thrift store is today, and AL also owns the building next door, which houses offices and donations processing.

During the 2025–26 fiscal year, which just closed on May 31st, the thrift store generated gross sales of $313,411. The store is open only 14 hours a week, and since it is staffed entirely by volunteers and has very low overhead, nearly every dollar raised is returned directly to the local community. In addition to the thrift shop, we raise funds through grants, donations, and our annual fall luncheon, which will be on November 14th this year and will feature both live and silent auctions. Seattle’s AL programs help to remove barriers to education for children, teens, and adults facing financial hardship. Programs include:

• Operational School Bell, which provides new school clothes for Seattle students in need
• Financial Aid for Education, which helps meet the diverse needs of community college and technical school students
• Enhancing Teacher Classrooms Grant, which empowers new teachers with financial support for their first classrooms
• Enrichment Scholarship Program for grades 4–11 to explore new talents through summer camp experiences
• Starting Out Supplies, in which AL partners with Solid Ground to help new tenants furnish and equip their homes

Assisteens: The Next Generation of Volunteers

Assisteens had an impressive 2025–26 year. This dedicated group volunteered more than 500 hours in our community, helped support Assistance League programs, raised over $5,000, and supported 100 teens through both the Team Teen program, which provides funds for extracurricular activities, and the teen retail program, which provides clothing and basic toiletries. The year concluded with awards and recognition for graduating seniors, installation of the 2026–27 governing body, and the assembly of 40 care packages delivered to the Atlantic Street Center’s teen program.

Recruiting Young Adults

Over the years, many former Assisteens have wanted to remain involved after high school graduation. As they grew older, they found value in continuing to serve alongside the Seattle AL volunteers they had come to know as teenagers.

Finding community in your 20s and 30s is not always easy, especially in a world that became increasingly virtual after 2020, with remote work becoming commonplace in Seattle. Many young adults found fewer opportunities to build meaningful connections. Several former Assisteens began asking whether other young adults in the community might appreciate the opportunities for service and connection that they had experienced as teens. With the leadership of Violet Thompson and others, a new initiative was created to recruit volunteers between the ages of 25 and 40, providing a welcoming space for younger adults who want to serve their community, build friendships, and become a part of the AL mission.

If you would like more information about this new program, contact Violet by email.

From our Assisteens to our veteran volunteers, Assistance League of Seattle continues to honor its founders’ vision of strengthening communities through hands‑on, compassionate service. Anyone looking to be part of a group of fantastic volunteers can email AL membership.

Other Ways to Help

The AL Thrift Store is always accepting donations and especially appreciates clean and well-cared for: You may drop of when the store is open; Thursday 12-4, Friday 12-4 and Saturday 10-4.

• Housewares—kitchenware and utensils, pots and pans, baking pans, small appliances, home decor, silverware, garden pots, framed pictures.
• Linens—kitchen towels, potholders, placemat sets, bedding, sheet sets, aprons, throw pillows, towels, quilts, tablecloths and napkins.
• Women and men clothing, T-shirts, little warn shoes, purses, handbags, hats,
• DVDs, ideally in the original case
• Current book titles, paperback and hardback, cards.
• Jewelry—necklaces, stud or post earrings, rings, and sterling or vintage pieces

Remember, quality donations = better merchandise = higher sales.

We are grateful to be part of the Wallingford community for so many years! Thank you for supporting us every day!