Kathy Pawluk
ALLB President · 2025-03-01 · 4 min read
Founded by 14 local women in 1952, the Assistance League of Laguna Beach has spent more than seven decades turning caring into action — clothing children, funding scholarships, and supporting families in need right here in our community.
Assistance League of Laguna Beach (ALLB) is an all-volunteer organization whose members put caring and commitment into action through local philanthropic programs. Founded in 1952 by 14 local women and chartered in 1962 as a chapter of the National Assistance League, ALLB has a 70-plus-year history of "transforming lives and strengthening communities."
Operation School Bell
ALLB sponsors Operation School Bell (OSB), an umbrella encompassing multiple philanthropic programs that target children from preschool through high school.
Among the OSB programs are Even Start backpacks filled with school supplies, basic clothing, and a gift card for children participating in the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club preschool program. The organization also collaborates with six other Assistance League chapters at Camp Pendleton to clothe children of military families for school.
Also under OSB are scholarships awarded to deserving Laguna Beach High School seniors. Last year, $40,000 in scholarships were presented to nine local seniors.
Community Outreach
ALLB funds community outreach programs including Collaborative Courts, a foundation whose mission is to provide a safety net to individuals participating in this court program to overcome substance abuse and/or mental health issues, and the Lifelong Laguna program facilitated through Susi Q.
For more than 70 years, the women of this organization have shown what it means to truly give back — not just with money, but with time, care, and an unwavering commitment to their neighbors.
The Early Intervention Program
The Early Intervention Program (EIP) is ALLB's signature philanthropic program, geared toward babies up to age one who have been identified as needing special attention. During weekly sessions, specially trained therapists evaluate each baby and work with the parents to provide a hands-on experience. Parents also meet with a licensed marriage and family counselor to share resources and discuss their experiences with others in similar situations. ALLB funds EIP and provides the facility at no cost to families.
How You Can Help
While ALLB welcomes monetary donations, its primary source of funding is through its thrift shop. The store is staffed by volunteers and stocked with donations of new and gently used items. It has been labeled by shoppers as one of the best thrift shops in Southern California.
- Shop at the Thrift Store: 526 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach — open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10am–3pm
- Donate Items: New or gently used items can be dropped off in the garage behind the shop Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am–3pm
- Monetary Gifts: Send a check to ALLB, 547 Catalina St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
- Become a Member: If you have seven hours a month to give back to your community, visit the website to learn more or complete an online application
