“The grounds on Florence Avenue are in full bloom,” said Charlene Roche, immediate past president of the Assistance League of Downey.  “The gardeners are continuing to work weekly, and this would be the perfect time to have an event there. But we have cancelled all our happenings.”

The gracious white adobe mansion, the Casa de Parley and Gypsy Johnson with its manicured grounds, is not hostessing its signature tea parties this spring. But Hug-a-Bears have already been given to the Downey Police and Fire Departments, and scholarships have already been awarded. The father-daughter dance at the Iridescent Ball, however, has been cancelled.

“This coronavirus outbreak caught us in the middle of our busiest season,” said Charlene. “And Downey has been very quiet now. We have on two Saturday mornings put goods out in front of the Second Tyme Around Thrift Shoppe for free to anyone coming past the store during farmer’s market hours.” 

“Jackets, sweatshirts, shoes, games, puzzles, videos, DVD’s were all offered out front,” said Charlene. “The items were very well received. One of our members and her daughter even headed with our brochure to the local church giving out food to tell them to come by to pick up free items from us.”

Assistance League has been a driving force in Downy since 1956 and its first president, Jane Strang, began meeting specific Downey’s needs. Members are all talented, enthusiastic women, and teens and yes, even men, who generously give of their time and talents to aid those in need. 

“Donna Lindley, our president now, forwarded me your email this morning to answer,” said Charlene.  “She is currently swamped as director at The Arc. They must do ‘well’ check calls on all the clients that they serve and are not attending, and that includes arranging for support services. Donna even had her son wait in a line for senior shoppers at Target, to help get people what they need. Donna is on the frontline in all of this.” 

“So, here goes,” said Charlene. “We have approximately 150 members including our Assisteens members. Our Iridescent Ball in March was cancelled. This is one of our major fundraising events and an outstanding social occasion for Downey.”

The League had invited me to come to the Ball honoring the senior Assisteens and see for myself, but alas, I have felt like Cinderella. My coach turned back into a pumpkin before I even got there, when the party was cancelled.  

When it does take place I’ll hope to see the opening father-daughter dance. That takes a lot of practice, but this year the girls will finish the year without that special moment. And the dads are off the hook, I thought.

Assisteens are high school student volunteers with the League, spending hours of service to the community of Downey. Among their contributions, they help staff the League’s Second Tyme Around Thrift Shoppe on Downey Avenue, and contribute seasonal gifts to the Housing of Medical Emergencies (H.O.M.E.) facility at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. In  1997 the Downey Assistance League built and opened in a 10-unit apartment building adjacent to the rehab center to house families who have loved ones in rehabilitation care.

Assisteens spend their December meeting spreading cheer throughout the corridors of Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, singing Christmas carols. “But all work and assistance is currently on hold,” said Charlene, “to protect everyone. We feel it is important for them now to keep up with their studies.”

“Additionally,” said Charlene, “Assistance League holds a tea in May for the parents, members and guests as a final thank you to our graduating seniors. As of this writing, neither of these events has been rescheduled. As soon as things settle down a little, we will need to discuss how to proceed. Recognition ceremonies are a rite of passage.” 

“We have so many ongoing fundraisers and projects in the spring,” said Charlene.  “We were fortunate to have finished interviewing potential scholarship recipients at Warren and Downey high schools. Ten scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to each of the two schools. That’s $20,000, and those funds will be deposited at the student body offices. Once enrolled in college, the students may pick up their money.”

“When school begins in the fall,” said Charlene, “we will once again partner with Kohl’s for Operation School Bell. We provide new school clothes to kids in need, and for some children, this will be the first time they have ever had a new shirt, a warm sweatshirt of their own, or a backpack filled with school supplies. For the first time, they truly feel like they fit in with all the other kids.  We are empowering young students with the confidence they need to succeed.”

National Assistance League is in touch with the 220 plus chapters throughout the United States with projects to assist their communities during this time. 

“Our last board and general meeting were held on Jan. 23,” said Charlene. “We are setting up a Zoom meeting for April. The entire organization must approve the slate of officers for the coming year as well as the budget, at the April meeting.” 

“This can not be done via email or individual telephone calls,” said Charlene, “as that would violate state laws and Assistance League bylaws.

“So several of us were on a Zoom/Assistance League training yesterday, learning how we should proceed via Zoom or freeconferencecall.com. Many of us are of retirement age; a couple members in their 90’s. This will be difficult for everyone, but we are going to give it a try.”

“Overall,” said Charlene, “we have been staying at home. Our membership is in the age group that needs to be very careful (not that everyone shouldn’t). We will be hearing soon from national on what steps we will need to consider before reopening our thrift stores. Obviously there will be state guidelines for receiving used items.”

“We do have our on-going Hug-A-Bear program,” said Charlene, “that is run by our Assisteens. Teddy bears have been already delivered to the Downey Police Department and Downey Fire Departments to give to children and seniors in crisis. Hug-a-Bear is ‘beary’ comforting for those who are suffering from traumatic circumstances in their lives. Teddy bears have been delivered to Rancho Los Amigos Hospital rehab patients too. So, even though our Assisteen students are not out there right now, their bears are being received on a regular basis.”

“We are gearing up for a big year,” said Charlene, “as we will need to work extra hard to help those in need when we are able to be open and out in public again. It is business as usual both for local and national. The board is strong, Assistance League of Downey is strong and we will continue to help our Downey community any way we can.”