Local Families and Students to Benefit from Generosity of the David W. Elliott Memorial Foundation

Assistance League Receives $15,000 Grant from the David W. Elliott Memorial Foundation

Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan received a $15,000 grant from the David W. Elliott Memorial Foundation. The funds will support three Assistance League philanthropic programs: Assault Survivor Kits, Link to Creative Teaching and Operation School Bell. All programs serve local families and students by clothing, feeding, educating and comforting people in need.

Cheryle Gambaro, a board member of the Elliott Memorial Foundation, presented the donation to Assistance League.

David W. Elliott was a long-time resident of Rochester, Michigan, until his death in 2011. As part of his estate plan, a foundation was established in 2015 to support charitable projects. Since its formation, the foundation has donated more than $200,000 to a wide range of charities.

“It is touching that Mr. Elliott established a long-lasting legacy to continue serving his community,” said Rosemary Dirksen Assistance League president. “We are honored to carry forward his generosity.”

The Assistance League programs benefitting from foundation support are:

Assault Survivor Kits – Provides personal kits for children and adult survivors of abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence whose clothing was destroyed by a perpetrator or retained by police for evidence. Kits contain a new top, pants, underwear, socks/flip-flops, toiletries, and a stuffed animal for children. Since 1994, 16,435 survivors benefitted. In 2016-17 FY, 1,261 survivors received kits at 46 trauma centers.

Link to Creative Teaching – Provides enrichment project opportunities, not funded by school districts, to teachers to expand student learning in reading, math, science, technology, arts, and behavioral modification. Since its formation in 2002, 51,787 students have benefitted. In 2016-17 FY, 3,869 students were impacted by 30 projects.

Operation School Bell – Provides new school clothing and/or necessities for elementary and middle school students. For some students, a new coat or clothing may be the first they can call their own. Items are also distributed to children through local nonprofit agencies. Since 1995, 38,345 local students have benefitted from the clothing distributions with the aim of improving self-esteem and school attendance. In 2016-17 FY, 4,502 students were recipients at 14 distributions.