Assistance League expanding to new headquarters

A local philanthropic organization that helps children and families plans to consolidate operations, including its Bargain Box Thrift Store, in a new headquarters east of downtown.

The Assistance League of Colorado Springs, a volunteer group of 230 members, paid $298,000 for three parcels totaling 1.7 acres from real estate developer Chuck Murphy.

The undeveloped land lies between the 21st Century Charter School at Colorado Springs and the former Ent Federal Credit Union branch at the intersection of East Costilla and El Paso streets. The organization bought the land in July 2006.

Construction of a 22,700-square-foot building will start in August and be completed by the end of next year, said Sandra Grese, capital campaign manager. The onestory building will have double the space the organization owns at two buildings in downtown Colorado Springs and also will include 75 parking spaces, a warehouse for donated items and a donation drop-off center.

About half of the money needed for the $3.2 million expansion is in hand, through pledges by members and supporters, and the pending sale of the organization’s two downtown existing properties, Grese said. Members are working on raising the remaining $1.6 million.

“We’ve outgrown our space and decided we’d go for our dream,” Grese said.

The local chapter, one of 117 assistance leagues in the nation, has roots dating to 1968 and was incorporated in 1970. The group purchased the building that houses its thrift shop, at 211 E. Costilla St., in 1976 using a grant from El Pomar Foundation. In the early 1990s, the organization acquired another building at 318 E. Cimarron St. to use as a chapter service center.

For nearly 40 years, Grese said, the charitable activities of members, who include businesswomen, homemakers, educators and military spouses, have become familiar to residents, but the organization itself has kept a low profile.

“We’re not widely known, but our services are everywhere,” she said. “Just this week a waitress told me we helped her when she really needed help, and we hear that all the time.”

The local chapter serves about 8,000 clients a year, she said. Operation School Bell is its largest project and this year provided 3,400 public school students from kindergarten through 12th grade with winter coats, outfits for school and accessories.

Other projects include supplying stuffed bears to children in traumatic situations, conducting hearing screenings for preschoolers, providing clothing and hygiene kits for assault victims and performing puppet shows about disabilities, divorce and substance abuse.

“What’s really amazing is that this group is all volunteers, and they get together and do things in our community that really make a difference,” said Lynne Telford, executive director of The Center for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado Springs.

The Bargain Box Thrift Store is the organization’s largest money maker, helping fund annual expenses of $250,000, Grese said. With the new headquarters, the thrift shop will expand. In addition to offering clothes, accessories and small housewares, it will sell donated furniture and other large household items, she said.

The Assistance League also works with local businesses and each year receives proceeds from a golf tournament and the Colorado Springs Auto Show. In November 2005, the chapter won the Spencer and Julie Penrose Award for Outstanding Nonprofit in Colorado.

Fro more information, go to www.colorado-sprgs-assistance-league.org.