Much of our funding is raised through the generous donations to and sales at The Cedar Closet Thrift Shop.
For more than years, the Assistance League Flagstaff (ALF) has been raising funds to give back to Flagstaff citizens in need of help. We currently operate eight charitable programs with gifts in excess of $250,000 a year. But there is more to do. Much of our funding is raised through the generous donations to and sales at The Cedar Closet Thrift Shop. Located at 2919 N. West Street, we are open Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the summer and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the winter.
The shop is run by volunteers, our membership is always open, and we currently are 80+ strong. The shop is consistently voted “Best Not for Profit Thrift Store” in the annual Arizona Daily Sun “Best of” competition.
Once a year, ALF reaches out to individuals, businesses and family trusts for donations to further our work. Your donation of any amount is greatly appreciated and can come to us through PayPal or Venmo (see our ad on page X for the QR Codes).
Or mail a check to:
Assistance League Flagstaff
P.O. Box 3297
Flagstaff, AZ 86003
Here is how your donation furthers our philanthropic work:
Operation School Bell A gift of $150 buys a brand new backpack containing new clothing, a $40 gift card for new shoes, a health kit and two age-appropriate books. Donations are made through the Flagstaff Unified School District to children in elementary and middle school identified by principals, counselors or nurses. Light up a child’s face and bolster his or her self-esteem through your gift.
K.I.D.S./Safe Child Your gift of $50 supports a forensic exam and additional intervention services for one abused or traumatized child at the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) Safe Child Room.
Kiddie Closet Your gift of $60 provides a layette, diapers and diaper bag to an infant whose parents are unable to provide these basics at this critical time in a newborn’s life.
Hug-A-Bear Your gift of $150 buys 25 cuddly teddy bears for children in stressful situations at the FMC Safe Child Center. A modest gift of $7 buys one bear.
A.S.K./Assault Survivor Kits A gift of $100 provides fresh clothing, personal care items, a journal and a book on surviving sexual assault to four victims being treated at the city’s Center for Sexual Assault.
Unsheltered Help ALF supports the Flagstaff Shelter Services as well as Nation’s Finest, our veteran’s support center through this program. Your gift of $200 buys needed supplies for approximately 15 people identified by our partners directly serving the unsheltered.
Thrift Shop Vouchers A gift of just $40 helps us provide complimentary clothing and backpacks for clients of our community partner agencies such as The Guidance Center, Northland Family Help Center and Catholic Charities Social Services. They can send clients up to two times per year to the Cedar Closet where volunteers assist them choosing items, often for a job interview.
Sharon Manor Your gift of $450 helps ALF provide three laundry baskets of household and personal care items to residents of Sharon Manor, the city’s residential housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. In 2023, we also provided new sheets and towels for all of the 29 residences.
ALF is also seeking businesses that donate new overstock clothing, furniture and household items as well as businesses that choose us as recipients of grants or the proceeds from special events. Donations have been raised through events with Viola’s Flower Garden, Flagstaff’s classic car club and Wildflower restaurant, to name a few.
Finally, a donation to our Capital Improvement fund helps keep our Thrift Shop safely maintained. FBN
By Lynn Timmons Edwards
Our 501(c)3 letter and other donation documents are available at https://www.assistanceleague.org/flagstaff/donate/.
For more information, contact ALF Resource Development Chair Jayne Clark at alfflagstaff@gmail.com.
Lynn Timmons Edwards is a volunteer with Assistance League Flagstaff.