ALPV About Us

Often considered the best kept secret in the valley, Assistance League of Pomona Valley, ALPV, has been serving the local communities since 1932. Originally Pomona Valley Hospital was the beneficiary of the surplus earned by the hard working volunteers. The spirited women called themselves the “Fruit and Flower Mission” and eventually under the guidance of Mrs. Paul Endicott, chartered the hospital auxiliary. The year was 1937. Outside the second floor elevator of the hospital, Elizabeth Zilles designed and directed the planting of a roof garden including outdoor furniture. During World War II, the women made bandages at the hospital and were able to decorate rooms when the hospital was enlarged and renovated. They also bought an incubator for the nursery to be used free of charge for people who were unable to pay for that service. Therefore, Assistance League of Pomona Valley actually began the volunteer services at Pomona Valley Hospital.

Assistance League of Pomona Valley garden parties were held to establish funding for their worthwhile endeavors. The first event was held at the Reynold’s Estate which is now Leroy Haynes Center. Later, Scripps Gardens would be the showcase for Assistance League of Pomona Valley parties. This event was the place to be held on a Saturday in October. Everyone loved to come to Claremont and enjoy the sun streaming through the trees and autumn leaves falling gently while they strolled through the gardens. Themes ranged from “In An Oriental Garden”, “Elegance Americana” to "Grecian Themes". Clothes modeled were by famous designers such as Rudi Gernreich and commentators included Jane Wyatt and Mr. Blackwell. Hard work went in to making the events successful. Former past president Virge Allen tells it like it was: “we worked but at the same time acted the perfect unruffled, gracious hostesses we were expected to be”. The garden parties were the biggest fundraisers of any chapter in the country and the audience and recipients loved them. Times changed and designers and models became more costly, as well as expenses for facilities. Direction of events changed to being hosted at hotels, providing luncheons, some night time events and casino galas.

Serving the communities has always been the focus of Assistance League of Pomona Valley. Besides providing services to the hospital, volunteers could be found putting on plays at Casa Colina (formerly located in Chino.) The children were actually directed as they lay in their beds in the wards. This proved to be a fine therapy and continued when the facility moved. The women also helped refurbish an orphanage in Ontario and gave Christmas parties for children. Work continued at the hospital manning the library cart and selling candies and sundries. Assistance League of Pomona Valley was instrumental in setting up a Red Cross Blood Bank first at the Alvarado Fire Station then at the Congregational Church. Having become a chapter of National Assistance League®, Assistance League of Pomona Valley which was formerly called Junior Assistance League of Pomona Valley at that time, looked for a more permanent location. The cottage which is now Dental Center was headquarters for the Visiting Nurses Association. A speech and hearing center was also housed there. Over the years the Crippled Children’s Auxiliary was also under this same roof.

Needs change as communities grow and spread and now Assistance League of Pomona Valley finds itself with a Dental Center (started by Dr. John McGwire) which provides dental services for children in need. Operation School Bell helps clothe children and is operated from our former Bargain Basket. Membership has grown to include auxiliaries serving various needs. Les Fleurs, a professional women’s auxiliary, provides local fire and enforcement agencies with Cubs for Kids and Assault Survivor Kits . They also provide Operation School Bell with family hygiene kits. High Nooners and Lazy Susans continue to support active chapter at fundraising events and for much needed items for our Dental Center.

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