Decades of assistance

EVERETT – Grace Hansen marvels at how the Assistance League of Everett has grown since she began volunteering with the organization in 1972.

Then, the group rented a small storefront on Rockefeller Avenue just off Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett. In September 2003, the group opened the doors to a new 26,000-square-foot building on Evergreen Way.

Through it all, Hansen has spent countless hours helping the organization. She currently is its treasurer.

“I just like volunteering, and I like what they stand for,” said Hansen, 78. “I’ve enjoyed watching it grow.”

The Assistance League is run entirely by its 320 volunteers. That’s no small feat for an organization that helps thousands of Snohomish County residents each year.

Among other things, the group provides clothes to needy children through its Operation School Bell program, assault survivor kits to victims of rape and sexual assault, and dental care to low-income children.

The league also gives out scholarships to graduating high school seniors, socks and personal items to the homeless, and clothes for low-income adults to wear to job interviews and in the workplace.

More than 40 percent of the money for these programs comes from the league’s thrift store. Clothing, shoes, books and giftware are among the most popular items.

On a recent afternoon, Marilyn Hecht, 68, was straightening up the racks and replacing clothes that had fallen off their hangers.

“Our place is so clean and orderly,” the Mukilteo woman said. “I just love it here. It’s such a wonderful organization, and you feel like you’re helping people in need.”

Hecht has been volunteering since 1981. About half the league’s volunteers have been helping out for seven years or more.

In the back room, Paulette Jacobson was sorting donations. She’s the strategic planning chairwoman and president-elect. At the Assistance League, the group’s leaders lend a hand just like any other volunteers.

Before the new building opened, the group had to store donations in homes, garages and rented storage rooms. Now everything’s in one place.

Jacobson is proud of the league’s quality control.

“We don’t put anything on the floor if it’s faded or has spots or holes,” said Jacobson, 54, of Everett. “We want people to come to our store and say, ‘Look what I found’ for everything.”

Items not meeting the league’s standards are given to other charities or thrown away.

“It’s the cause that brings us here, but the friendships and social aspects that keep us here,” Jacobson said. “And this is ours. No one owns this. We all own this. All of us are doing the work and enjoying the profits of it.”

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.

Michael O’Leary / The Herald

Joanne Peterson arranges a display at the Assistance League of Everett’s thrift store at 5107 Evergreen Way.

The Assistance League

The Thrift Shop, 5107 Evergreen Way in Everett, is the major fund-raising activity for the Assistance League. It provides reasonably priced clothing and household items, donated by friends, members and local merchants. All donations are tax-deductible. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 425-252-3011.

The Assistance League

The Thrift Shop, at 5107 Evergreen Way in Everett, is the League’s major fund-raising activity. It provides reasonably priced clothing and household items, donated by friends, members of Assistance League and local merchants. All donations are tax deductible. Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Contact the Thrift Shop at 425-252-3011.

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