Lancaster, CA - On Saturday, January 17th the City of Lancaster is sponsoring a clean-up of the Assistance League of Antelope Valley Preschool Child Care and All Day Kindergarten. This facility is in need of some TLC. As one of the featured projects on the City’s to-do list for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, this facility will get a face lift from local volunteers. Washing tables, toys and windows, as well as sprucing up landscaping and painting signs, are all tasks slated for this community-centered effort.

“Making A Positive Difference in the Lives of Children” is the motto of this organization. Staff efforts are geared towards making children feel loved, safe and motivated to learn through a variety of educational experiences.

“Intervention can never be too early. If we give children the tools they need to develop into knowledge-hungry individuals with windows of opportunity around every corner, they can’t help but flourish into productive adults that enhance their communities and the lives of others,” commented Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.

The Assistance League originated as an extension of the Red Cross Shops established during World War I. Founder, Mrs. Hancock Banning, felt a duty to, “Act as a friend at any and all times to men, women and children in need of care, guidance and assistance.” Since 1919, the National Assistance League® has grown to more than 110 chapters across the country.

The Assistance League of the Antelope Valley was chartered as the 25th chapter of the National Assistance League on January 29, 1959. The charter members, with Mrs. Florence Aven as president, identified a need for childcare in this growing valley. The original Day Nursery opened with 6 children and members volunteered 2500 hours to fund and operate the project. Total cost that first year was $9,455. In January 1961 enrollment was 14 with a waiting list. By February of 1966, the organization moved to a house on Fern Avenue. Soon there were 24 children.

In the early 1970’s, the State of California granted licensing for enrollment of 36 children. The members hired early education teachers and developed the preschool curriculum. The community need for further expansion was evident. In September 1997, construction of a new facility was completed at 808 West Newgrove. The Preschool Day Care Center now serves 72 children and their working or student parents.

“Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service focuses on the idea of being great by serving others. It is a day of engagement and involvement from all community members,” remarked Parris.

This project is fully staffed with volunteers. To sign up for other volunteer opportunities, please contact Lancaster Recreation Supervisor Angela Riley via phone at (661) 723-6074 or via email at ariley@cityoflancasterca.org. Signups for open projects are also available online via the City’s website at http://www.cityoflancasterca.org/.

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