Annual Report

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2015-2016 Annual Report

Mission Statement—

We are a volunteer

organization committed to serving the educational and

emotional needs of disadvantaged children and young adults,

as well as families in crisis in the greater Houston area.

ALH Celebrates Texas Art Show gives local Texas artists a foothold in the art community.

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Dear Friends,

Assistance League

®

of Houston’s 158 volunteers, contributing approximately

24,000 service hours, ensured our success again this past year. We are

thankful to them and to our many generous benefactors.

2015 was an outstanding year for Assistance League as we celebrated our

48th year of service to Houston! Now, as we embark upon our 49th year, we

are identifying and implementing new and efficient ways to expand our

philan-thropic programs while looking forward to our golden anniversary in 2018! The

members of Assistance League of Houston remain fully committed to

enrich-ing the lives of those we serve.

In 2015-2016, together with the generous support of our donors and sponsors,

our volunteers made lasting positive changes in the lives of thousands of

chil-dren, adults and families. Our Operation School Bell

®

program clothed 4,232

pre-K and elementary school students and the Scholarship Program awarded

$84,000 to fifty deserving students. Our Celebration of Giving event at Texas

Children’s Hospital was a great success with $13,000 in gift cards being given

to make the holidays brighter for 33 patients and their families. Our Support

For the Arts, a juried art show that presents opportunities for rising Texas

art-ists, awarded $7,000 to three winning artists. Our Head Start Program

volun-teers read to over 518 students and donated over 754 books to Houston area

schools, teachers, and libraries during the 2015-2016 year.

We have taken steps to ensure the future of our organization and are ready to

do more for our community each year. With the help of many donors,

volun-teers and supporters, we look forward to expanding Assistance League’s

ser-vice to the greater Houston community.

To our remarkable volunteers and to those who partner

with us to bring about change, thank you for your

com-mitment to Assistance League of Houston.

With Continued Caring and Commitment,

Linda Williams Hall

President

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Assistance League volunteers have achieved remarkable results in improving the lives

of those in need through innovative and targeted philanthropic programs. Through our

commitment to hands-on action

Assistance League of Houston volunteers touched

the lives of over 8,000 children, families, and others in need last year

.

In 2015-2016,

158

dedicated volunteer members and partners invested

24,000

ser-vice hours

and returned an astounding

$608,860

to the greater Houston community.

When you join Assistance League

, you do something for yourself as well as for

others. Assistance League chapters nationwide have developed over 750

philanthrop-ic programs to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

“ Self-Esteem Is Priceless”

2016 Scholarship Recipients

Head Start Readers Student receiving their _{school uniforms}

Roberta Benson and President Barbara Robinson at Celebration of giving

Event

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PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS:

Alief Independent School District The Briarwood School

Emergency Aid Coalition

Harris County Department of Education Head Start Houston Community College’s V.A.S.T Program Houston Independent School District

Pro-Vision, Inc.

Spring Branch Independent School District Texas Children’s Hospital

Yellowstone Academy YES Prep Public Schools

FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATE

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS:

Myrtle Bartosh

Janet Battarbee

Robert and Imogene Batten Roberta Benson

Robert and Merida Blackwell Terry and Marilyn Brooks Octave Brunet

Jack and Mary Jane Casimir Connie Chalmers

Dolores and Phil Chapman

Margaret Chmielewski George Connelly John and Vicki Crum Harry H. and Rose Cullen Paul and Margaret Daffin Jacqueline Day

Dagmar and Bob Deason David Deason

Chad and Liz Deaton Naomi Dempsey Kathleen Drysdale Kent and Linda Dussair Stella and Harold Evensen Jonathan Farb

Elaine and Marvy Finger Mark and Rajada Fleming Pat and Leila Gilbert Jim and Mary Gosnell

Campbell and Margaret Griffin Rick and Linda Williams Hall Beverly Haltom

Rosemary J. Harrison

William and Claire Higginbotham Suzy Hill

Kathi and Fred Hilterman Ann and Howard Holsenbeck Stephen and Kaye Horn Barbara and Roberto Iglesias Andrew and Liz Jameson Kenneth and Eleanor Jicha Charles and Lisa Kana Molly Kelly

David and Lavon Kirkpatrick Robin Klaes

Deb Koehler Virginia Kolter

DONORS AND SPONSORS

-ASSISTANCE LEAGUE ACKNOWLEDGES THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS AND

SUPPORT OF ITS DONORS AND SPONSORS

ENDOWMENT AND GRANTS · CORPORATE SPONSORS · INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Our Kids On The Block Puppets are a big hit at Texas Children’s Hospital Celebration of Giving each year!

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John and Mary Lamar Betty and Raymond Latham Rick and Aida Ledet

Earl L. Lester, Jr. Bru and Ray Lopez Joan E.H. Lyons Calvin and Diana Mann Marlene Marker

Edna Mattei-Nelson Donna and Ray Matthews Linda McReynolds Karen Murphey Casey Newton

Louise and Jeff Nuttall Don and Sue Nyberg Paul and Josie Ochoa Patricia Paine

W.H. Peckham Anne and Jim Pinion Marina Pita

Betty Puryear Jo Reid

Ruby and Alan Riedel Barbara and Bill Robinson Michael and Lynn Schoenberger Ray and Ellen Scippa

Pat and Ray Sedwick Jeff and Kathryn Smith Julie and Bill Soester JoAnn and Brian Suthers Don and Sandra Switzer Lois Young Taber Richard Thaller Jana Vander Lee Carole Wakefield

Virginia and Bob Warnsman Sara E. White

Dick and Martha Whitley Paula and Larry Wright Henry Wuertz

IN KIND CONTRIBUTORS:

Darlene Abdouch

A.D. Players Aldo Shoes

Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design Brunella Altemus

ARMANDOS

Attitudes Pair Coiffure Bellaire Dermatology

Benjy’s Modern American Cuisine Bless this Texas Mess

Body, Mind and Soul Briargrove Pharmacy Carrabba’s

Caruggi’s

Jann Cobler Michael Crowder John and Vicki Crum

Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen Jaci Day

Jackleen Dohlman

Mark and Rajada Flemming Four Seasons Hotel Houston Gitting’s Portraiture

Paul Guidry

Rick and Linda Williams Hall Hearthstone Country Club William and Claire Higginbotham Houston Ballet

The Houston City Club Houston Jewelry The Houston Polo Club Hotel Granduca

Jan Wisdom Design & Home Accents J. Dall Hair Salon

JenGems

Jonathan’s The Rub Kendra Scott Design Kingwood Clubs Jerry Knapp Knapp Chevrolet Gayle Koons

Laurel Mountain Retreat Lock and Mane

Calvin and Diana Mann Marquita Masterson Marvin and Helen Meistrich Masraff’s on Post Oak Lane Donna and Ray Matthews Northgate Country Club Page Piland

Piatto Ristorante

Pine Forest Country Club Phoenix Offshore Solutions The Rainbow Lodge Riverbend Country Club Carol Roach

Bill and Barbara Robinson Round Rock Travel & Tours Sam Houston Race Park Select Jewelers

Smith's Fine Jewelry

Southwest Airlines Company Christopher Stewart

Sweetwater Country Club Taste of Texas Restaurant Uptown Car Spa

Utopia Medspa

Vanity Lounge by Zorco Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club

The Wine Man

DONORS AND SPONSORS CONTINUED —

ENDOWMENT AND GRANTS · CORPORATE SPONSORS · INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS

ALH volunteers are as happy to give out school

uniforms as the families who receive them!

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY

-Each year, the members of our chapter work hard to raise the funds necessary to successfully operate our philanthropic programs. This is done through our Thrift Shop operations, a variety of fundraising projects, the grant writing committee, and the generosity of our members and community donors.

Statement of Activities

NOTES:

National Assistance League requires each chapter to maintain unrestricted assets sufficient for one year’s operating budget. Unrestricted assets shall not be more than three times the size of the past year’s expenses or three times the size of the current year’s operating budget, whichever is higher.

The allocation accounting method for FY 15-16 was revised and updated from prior years by audit firm Whitley Penn, LLP. Statement of Activity for FY 15-16 not audited at time of printing.

Net Assets, End of Year for FY 15-16 were reconciled and revised from previous years' Statement of Activities report in accordance with year-end audit results.

Complete financial statements are audited by Whitley Penn, LLP and are available upon request after October, 2016.

U.S. Department of Labor

values volunteer time at

$25.11 per hour.

In Fiscal Year 2016 Assistance League®_{of Houston}

members and community partners contributed 24,000 hours

or the equivalent of

$608,860

Fiscal Year Ending May 31 2016 2015

Revenue

Fundraising

Thrift Shop Revenue $ 246,406 $ 303,055

Less: Thrift Shop operating expenses (113,775) (92,877)

Net Revenues from Thrift Shop 132,631 210,178

Special Events Revenue 262,537 262,868

Less: Cost of direct benefits to attendees &

expenses (156,488) (148,112)

Net Revenues from Special Events 106,049 114,756

Contributions and Membership Development

Program Grants, Endowments, & Contributions 71,622 59,848

Memorials 0 0

Membership Dues 19,522 21,058

Investment Income 14,099 28,458

Other Income 742 11,226

Net Revenues from Contributions 105,985 120,590

Total Support & Revenues $ 344,665 $ 445,524

Expenses

Program Services

Operation School Bell 251,346 253,037

Scholarships & Grants 93,011 110,630

Support for the Arts 25,482 26,538

Kids on the Block NA 4,083

Celebration of Giving 16,098 16,394

Net Program Services 385,937 410,682

NAL Dues and Membership Expenses 18,867 8,394

Administrative Expenses 49,007 53,416

Total Program Services & Expenses 453,811 472,492

NET INCOME (LOSS) (109,146) (26,968)

Net Assets, End of Year $ 1,725,308 $ 1,834,454

Net Program Expenses 87.7% Administrative

9.2%

NAL Dues and Membership

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OUR PROGRAMS

-Operation School Bell®_-_{Studies show that children who come to school appropriately dressed can improve school}

attendance and classroom performance. The program serves schools in Spring Branch ISD, Houston ISD and Alief ISD; as well as in Harris County Head Start-Area 1, Yellowstone Academy, Emergency Aid Coalition and

Child Advocates, Inc. In 2015-2016, 4,232disadvantaged students were provided with a uniform package

consisting of three polo shirts, two pants, shoe gift card, windbreaker, and underwear.

Scholarship Program - Students with financial need, as well as physical and learning disabilities, and who have

demonstrated scholastic achievement are offered financial scholarships. This program includes students at The Briarwood School, Spring Branch ISD, Sharpstown High School, ProVision, YES Prep Public Schools and

Hou-ston Community College’s V.A.S.T. program. Fifty students were awarded more than $84,000 through

finan-cial help from Assistance League and through endowed scholarships.

Support for the Arts - A highly respected, juried art show is held for six weeks in the Galleria area to encourage and

promote the work of Texas artists. TheAssistance League of Houston Celebrates Texas Art event is a

ser-vice to Texas artists, and cash awards totaling $7,000 are given to three winning artists.

Celebration of Giving - Texas Children’s Hospital patients and their families received holiday gift cards for food,

clothing, and gifts. In December of 2015, more than $13,000 in gift cards was distributed to 33 patients and

their families, and filled stockings were handed out by Santa Claus at this event hosted by the chapter.

Head Start Readers Program - Volunteers read once a month, October through April, providing a Literacy

Enrich-ment Program to students at a Head Start Center. During the 2015-2016 school year, we read to over 518

students, and over 754 books were given to the children, their teachers, and their school libraries. PROGRAM FUNDING

The chapter’s largest source of income is Assistance League Thrift Shop, a resale shop offering low cost, good quali-ty clothing, books, and household items. Located at 1902 Commonwealth at Welch, the shop is stocked entirely with donated merchandise, including residuals from estate sales. Chapter volunteers provide the sales force. Last year

the Thrift Shop reported record sales of more than $240,000. Additional program funding is provided through annual

fundraising events, including a Spring event, the Mary Jo Peckham Award Luncheon and Fashion Show and our first year hosting the Kris Kringle Market Luncheon; along with foundation grants, individual and corporate contributions, and matching gifts as detailed on accompanying financial statements.

ASSISTEENS

®

AUXILIARY –

Students from several of Houston’s high schools make up the Assisteens Auxiliary. The students elect a board and develop their own projects. Last year they worked in the Thrift Shop, Celebration of Giving, and Operation School Bell. Additionally, they visited nursing homes, made blankets for children at the Women’s shelter, and put together “Birthday In A Box” kits for Head Start students. Their motto, “Keep Calm and Make A Difference”, says it all.

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P.O. Box 130867

Houston, Texas 77219

Office: 713-526-7983

Thrift Shop: 713-526-5425

Fax: 713-529-6632

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.assistanceleague.org/houston

CHAPTER BOARD

-1902 Commonwealth St,. Houston, TX 77006 2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Barbara Robinson President

Linda Williams Hall

President Elect

Virginia Warnsman

Vice President Philanthropic Programs

Diana Mann

Vice President, Resource Development

Louise Nuttall

Vice President, Membership

Virginia Kolter Recording Secretary Lynne Donoghue Treasurer Anne Nemer Finance Chairman Marilyn Brooks V.P. Public Relations Susan Alexander Parliamentarian Kathleen Drysdale Assisteens Coordinator 2015-2016 ADVISORY BOARD Joseph Birkofer CFP, Principal

Legacy Asset Management

Linda Buchman

Community Relations Officer Spring Branch ISD

Katy Butterwick

Sr. Program Associate

St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities

Jim Craddock

CEO and President Rosetta Resources, Inc.

Debra Smith Doetterl

Smith’s Fine Jewelry

Clark Edgecomb

President

Edgecomb & Associates, Inc.

Mario Fuentes Don Nyberg

Professor

San Jacinto College

Bill Robinson

Senior Vice President, Retired J. Ray McDermott, S.A.

Stephen W. Roll

President of Process Systems Cameron, International

Ray Scippa

Internal Communications Dir. Conoco Phillips

Lori Swann

Attorney

Cunningham Law Group