The Assistance League of Atlanta this year marks its 40th anniversary of charitable programs in the metro area. Partnering with many schools, hospitals and other nonprofits, the group serves around 50,000 people a year. And since 2016, it’s all been organized at its headquarters in Peachtree Corners.
“The organization is totally volunteer. We have no paid employees,” said Ellen Frank, the chapter’s board president. “When you realize how complex it is, it’s kind of amazing we don’t have a paid executive director or any staff.”
Known for its Attic Treasures thrift shop in Chamblee, the Atlanta group is one of 120 nationwide chapters of the California-based Assistance League. Members of the local chapter — currently numbering around 250 — pay $75 annual dues, of which $25 goes to the national organization for training, support and marketing. All chapters determine their local partnerships, but also participate in the national’s signature program, Operation School Bell, which provides school clothes to students in need.
“As you can imagine, Atlanta, as a major metropolitan area, is a contributor, a major contributor, to our efforts as a national organization,” said Matt Zarcufsky, the mother organization’s executive director. He praised the Atlanta chapter as “a group of very committed volunteers.”
Sue Levy, Susan Levinson and Ellen Frank (Photos by George Hunter)Ellen Frank, chapter board president
A history of giving
The Assistance League’s roots date to 1890s Los Angeles and charitable work by philanthropists Anne Banning and Ada Edwards Laughlin. In 1919, they formalized their organization as the Assistance League of Southern California. The national version was organized in 1935.
Today, there are chapters in 26 states. The latest stats available, for roughly the year before the COVID-19 pandemic affected operations, showed the chapters collectively served about 1.37 million people and had about 20,000 volunteers.
The Atlanta chapter was formed in October 1982 by a group of 34 women who started with the Operation School Bell program. As a fundraiser, they sold “senior citizens’ crafts,” renting a small building in Chamblee they called the “Mouse House.”
The organization grew over time, and in the late 1990s undertook a $1.3 million capital campaign to build a thrift shop and headquarters. That opened in 2000 at 3534 Broad Street in Chamblee, which remains home to the 13,000-square-foot thrift shop – a major revenue source, according to Frank, as it pulls in about $700,000 a year.
The chapter outgrew that space as well, but had trouble finding property in Chamblee as real estate values rose. In 2016, the organization bought an office building at 6264 Crooked Creek Road in Peachtree Corners as its “Philanthropic Center.”
Programs and partnerships
Operation School Bell remains an anchor program, with students at the local Peachtree Elementary school among the recipients, as well as many DeKalb and Fulton county schools. But the chapter partners on many other programs as well, largely centered on providing some kind of needed goods like clothing and food.
The long list includes hygiene and household items for homeless people in Atlanta’s Gateway Center and Nicholas House; teddy bears for patients in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals; work clothing and MARTA cards for women in addiction recovery at Sandy Springs-based Mary Hall Freedom House; special clothing for patients at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center rehabilitation hospital; used books for school kids and scholarships to some metro colleges. A lot of those programs fulfill needs rooted in such social issues as poverty. The Atlanta chapter does not get involved in addressing such issues directly – “We can’t do everything,” says Frank — and also rarely runs a program itself, instead working with other groups or social workers.
“Actually, all of our programs are partnerships,” said Frank. “We are not dealing with the public on a one-to-one basis except in the thrift shop.”
But it requires a lot of work from Assistance League members, who often hand-pack care packages and other items. Membership is especially popular among retirees, said Frank, herself a former insurance adjuster who joined in 2015.
“I love it because when I retired, I wanted to volunteer, and this particular program gives me a lot of flexibility,” she said. “…There’s always something to do.”
Frank also lived in Peachtree Corners for 27 years before more recently moving to Dunwoody. “I lived there when it was still Norcross. So it was very exciting to see Peachtree Corners become a city in itself,” she said. “And of course, when that happens, a lot of changes happen for the best, especially the new shopping center and the new Town Center.”
Challenges from the pandemic
Like everyone else, the Assistance League has faced dramatic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic — increased demand for services overall and difficulty in having in-person volunteering. Frank said COVID has brought, “as our national [directors] would call it, the new norm, and the new norm is to be adaptable.”
Zarcufsky said that at the national level, the organization is looking at ways to continue providing goods to people in need in different ways. But it’s also thinking of other ways to serve or operate even the signature school programs.
“So we’re looking at opportunities to not just be charitable and provide goods, but looking at ways we can participate and engage with students in other ways like tutoring,” he said. The local chapter had a big pivot to make with the thrift shop, which was closed for a while, then reopened with pandemic precautions. An online version was launched on eBay as well and has been a success, Frank said. In fact, she said, the shop is keeping pace with pre-COVID sales despite the turmoil.
The organization also has some changes in programs like a literacy week coming in February to Peachtree Elementary. Instead of some traditional face-to-face programming, the Assistance League is providing students with a bag containing a book, a Beanie Baby doll and some food items. The bag will encourage students to try “reading with a friend” — meaning the Beanie Baby.
The latest wave of the pandemic also affected the chapter’s plan to invite neighbors to get to know the organization through tours of the Peachtree Corners headquarters. A January tour was canceled, but the group hopes to get that rolling later this year, and also has a grant committee always seeking donations.
“And we’re always looking for members,” said Frank. “We’d love to have people come and see what we do, and you make new good friends.”
John Ruch is a journalist with SaportaReport and Buckhead.com in metro Atlanta. His freelance work has appeared in such publications as the Washington Post and the Seattle Times. In his spare time, he writes fantasy novels.
The City of Peachtree Corners will hold an important public meeting on May 8 to discuss the future of law enforcement in our community — including the potential creation of a city police department.
This meeting will feature a presentation by City Manager Brian Johnson on the findings of a comprehensive Police Analysis & Staffing Study that evaluated the feasibility and projected costs of forming a city police department based on current workload, crime levels and community demographics.
The presentation will also include budgetary considerations, comparative models and the advantages and disadvantages of a county vs. city police department.
Following the presentation, there will be time for a Q&A and open dialogue.
In-person attendance is limited to 300. First come, first served. A livestream option will be available for those who can’t attend in person.
After the meeting, a follow-up survey will be available on the city’s project page.
Meeting details
The Future of Law Enforcement in Peachtree Corners
Date/Time: May 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Location: Christ the King Lutheran Church (5775 Peachtree Parkway)
It’s time to sign up for the best (and only) Glow Run and Twilight Trot in Peachtree Corners!
Registration is now open to participate in this year’s Light Up the Corners race, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum. The 1k Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run begins at 8:30 p.m. Once the runners have done their thing, a fun post-race party will follow.
This annual event is not only an exciting community tradition, but also a fundraiser for the Why It Matters campaign at the Fowler Family YMCA.
All proceeds from registration goes directly to helping struggling families and children in the community benefit from the life-changing programs and services offered at the YMCA.
Individual registration is $40 through July 31; $45 if you register between August 1–14; and $50 if you wait to sign up on August 15 or 16. Those registering as a team of four or more will save $5–$10 per registration.
Sponsorships available
In addition to individual and team registrations, organizers also rely on the generosity and support of local businesses to make each year’s fundraising event successful. And this year is no different. If you’d like to support their efforts through a sponsorship, information can be found on the Light Up the Corners 2025 website.
T-shirt logo contest
Another way to take part is to enter the t-shirt logo design contest. Artwork and entry forms are due by May 16, and judges will be looking for one dynamic image to represent the Light Up the Corners Glow Run on the race banner, t-shirts and all multi-media.
The winning artist will receive a $1000 check, presented during the event. An entry form and additional details can be found here.
I want to take a moment to address an issue that has been increasingly affecting our community — the growing deer population.
Over the past few years, we have observed a significant increase in the number of deer within Peachtree Corners, leading to heightened concerns about public safety, property damage and ecological impacts. I want to share what we are doing to address these challenges and how you can be part of the solution.
The surge in the deer population poses several threats to our community:
1. Landscape damage: Deer feeding on ornamental plants, shrubs and trees results in significant property damage and costly repairs for homeowners.
2. Increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions: Frequent road crossings, often under low-visibility conditions, pose serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.
3. Adverse ecological impacts: Excessive browsing by deer diminishes plant diversity, impacting the availability of food for other wildlife.
4. Public health concerns: High deer densities contribute to an increase in ticks, elevating the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
To address these challenges, the City of Peachtree Corners is collaborating with wildlife officials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) Urban Wildlife Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services.
These partnerships are vital, as GADNR holds primary authority over wildlife management, and USDA brings extensive experience in urban wildlife management. By working together, we aim to develop a comprehensive approach tailored to our community’s unique needs.
Based on recommendations from our partners, the City is actively developing a comprehensive deer management plan. The plan aims to mitigate the public safety, property damage, ecological and public health impacts caused by the growing deer population.
Here’s what we are doing:
1. Population surveys: Utilizing advanced tools like trail cameras and thermal imaging to accurately assess deer numbers.
2. Habitat assessments: Evaluating the impact of the deer population on local vegetation and biodiversity.
3. Community involvement: Updating the “PTC Report It” app to allow residents to report deer-related concerns and submit photographs.
4. Data analysis: Collaborating with federal and state partners to analyze data and determine a sustainable deer population for our community.
Once the assessment phase is complete, the city will adopt a deer management plan. Since many deer reside on private property, the plan will offer property owners city-supported options for managing deer. This includes educational programs, habitat modification techniques and access to targeted population reduction initiatives.
Our goal is to facilitate relationships between wildlife officials and residents to ensure a balanced approach that protects public safety, preserves property and maintains ecological integrity.
Here are a few ways you can help:
• Complete the Deer Impact Survey: Available online. Your input will help us gather valuable data on deer population densities and their impact.
• Report concerns: Use the “PTC Report It” app or go online to report deer-related issues and share photos.
• Stay informed: Follow our updates and participate in any upcoming GADNR workshops to stay informed about deer management efforts.
I truly appreciate your support and cooperation as we work together to address these challenges and protect the quality of life in Peachtree Corners. Thank you for being engaged and committed to our community.