TEMECULA – Each year the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce salutes the businesses and leaders that have made an impact in the community during the last year. Recently, at the 47th Annual Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala in the Pechanga Ballroom, Assistance League of Temecula Valley was announced as the 2012 Charitable Organization of the Year.

Assistance League is a nonprofit, all-volunteer service organization committed to identifying and serving the needs of the Southwest Riverside County since 1989 through philanthropic programs developed and administered by its members. Through its main philanthropic program, Operation School Bell, low income children are provided with new school clothing.

Other programs award scholarships to graduating high school seniors, grants to teachers for classroom enrichment, giving emancipating foster youths an opportunity to succeed, distributing teddy bears to give Advertisement

[ Carrington Home Loans ] comfort to hospitalized, injured and traumatized children and programs to meet a range of community needs on a one-time, short-term or periodic basis.

The members of Assistance League thank the Chamber for this honor and recognition and we thank all of our donors and shoppers for supporting us so that we can continue to serve individuals and families in Southwest Riverside County. This award was made possible by members’ dedication and compassion and the thousands of hours of volunteer time members unselfishly give to Assistance League’s mission.

Assistance League Thrift Shop, 28720 Via Montezuma, Temecula is the main source of funding for its philanthropic programs. Revenue from the thrift shop, grants and donations are returned to the local communities.

For more information about the philanthropic programs and membership information, visit www.temeculavalley.assistanceleague.org or call (951) 684-8018.