A Tradition of Service

Assistance League was the first nonprofit, nonpolitical, non sectarian organization founded in the West to recognize the potential of volunteers to help all members of the community access to a better, more meaningful life.

Assistance League founder, Anne Banning, was a member of a small group of prominent Los Angeles women who did charitable work beginning in the mid- 1890’s.

Their first act was responding to the San Francisco Earthquake. They called themselves the Assistance League.

1962: Tustin Chapter Begins

In 1919, Anne Banning and Ada Laughlin formed the Assistance League of Southern California to provide support for local families severely affected by World War I. The first services were Good Samaritan, Day Nursery, Girls Club and Theatre for Children. In 1935, Anne Banning and Ada Laughlin organized National Assistance League® to promote the growth of effective volunteerism through leadership training and education.

Today, chapters across America address emotional and physical needs of children and adults of all ages regardless of race or creed.

For almost 70 years, Assistance League of Tustin volunteers have been serving the Tustin community. In 1962, Mrs. Melvin L. (Winifred) Campbell founded the group, the Tustin Hilltoppers League. In 1965 we were chartered as the 35th Chapter of Assistance League. After 20 Years in different Tustin locations, in 1989 we purchased our current Chapter House and Thrift Shop at 445 El Camino Real.