Donate Bitcoin, Ethereum and other Cryptocurrencies to help those most in need in the Tucson Community.   Your donation will be processed securely through the Engiven platform. Every donation makes a difference.

Donations may be dropped off at the rear of the Thrift Shop at the double blue doors during our Donation Hours. Drive up and ring the bell.

We gratefully accept gently used clothing, household goods, books, electronics, flat screen TVs, computers, furniture, and more.  Your donations to our shop fund our programs.

We are unable to accept the following items

• Damaged, torn, or stained clothing or linens
• Broken or damaged household items
• Mattresses
• Vintage TVs
• Food

Do you have large items to donate?  Are you unable to drop them off at Assistance League?

• Pickup times may vary based on availability (typically 1-3 weeks out).
• We can only accept items that we can sell at our store.
• Pickups are reserved for large furniture items only. Smaller items must be dropped off.

To schedule a Pickup, please email our Thrift Shop. at ShopH@altucson.org.  Attach pictures of items and include your phone number.

Assistance League bears the cost of the pickup in both time and money.

Your donation may qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit.  Assistance League of Tucson is a qualifying charity for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit.  Your tax credit donation, which offsets your state tax liability, will help to ensure that those in need in Tucson will continue to benefit from our programs.

When you donate to Assistance League, you can receive a tax credit that reduces – dollar for dollar – the amount of state taxes owed.  Arizona residents who file jointly can claim a credit of up to $938, and single payers are eligible for a credit of up to $470.  The deadline for claiming Arizona tax credits has been extended to April 15.  Please consult your tax advisor for more information. 

Donating to Assistance League of Tucson’s programs is about more than giving material items to those in need.  Whether your gift benefits Operation School Bell^® where it could be used to provide new shoes to a little girl who is wearing her sister’s ragged hand-me-downs; or Starting Over Supplies to give new basic essentials for the kitchen, bedroom, and bath to those starting over in life; or Assault Survivor Kits^® that gives a victim needing clothes to wear home when the police keep theirs for evidence; or Hooked on Books to provide classrooms with new, high-quality books that encourage literacy and learning, it is about giving hope and dignity to children and adults so that they can envision a better future for themselves.

Participation in Assisteens^® develops personal growth, leadership skills, poise, public speaking skills, and a sense of civic responsibility.  Membership begins the freshman year in high school and continues through senior year. Assisteens^®, a self-governing auxiliary, follow a budget, organize fundraisers and volunteer in the community with the guidance of Assistance League Advisors.  As members of Assistance League, Assisteens^® work in our Thrift Shop and support our philanthropic programs by assembling kits for Starting Over Supplies and helping children who come to Operation School Bell^® select clothes.

Assisteens^® has two philanthropic programs. The main philanthropic program is Assisteens^® Helping Tucson Teens. The focus is to strengthen Title 1 middle school art, music, and physical education programs through mini-grants of in-kind materials. The other program is Assisteens^® Community Service. This program provides volunteer support for local non-profits such as Ben’s Bells, Habitat for Humanity^®, Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona, Fisher House Foundation, St. Luke’s Home (Senior Assisted Living), and Casa Maria Soup Kitchen.

Assisteens packing lunches for Fisher House

Funding for Assisteens^® Helping Tucson Teens and Assisteens^® Community Service comes from the annual Spring Assisteens^® Fashion Show and other Assisteens^® fundraisers. To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, please contact us. Assisteens^® organize the fashion show, solicit donations for the silent auction, and model the fashions.

Tux ‘n Boots^®

Senior Assisteens^® are recognized for their years of service at the annual Tux’n Boots^® gala. Assisteens^® families and friends along with Assistance League members celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors.

What is more comforting for a child than hugging a soft teddy bear? Assistance League of Tucson distributes teddy bears to service organizations, law enforcement, grief counselors, and medical facilities (refer to our Annual Report for a list) to give to children who face traumatizing, frightening, or other difficult physical or emotional situations. The bears are new and designed to be child-friendly and can be given to young children experiencing critical medical care.

We recognize that our children are the hearts of our lives, our hopes, and dreams of the future. Our teddy bears provide them comfort during times when their young lives are in crisis.

Starting Over Supplies works with local social service agencies and other charitable organizations in Tucson to make sure that a helping hand is always there for people with limited financial resources who are attempting to rebuild their lives. The Starting Over Supplies program is aimed principally at assisting people who have left shelters, have escaped abusive home situations, are refugees or are below the poverty level and need basic household supplies in order to live independently.

Our volunteers, guided by the input from social workers in the organizations with which we partner, make up kits filled with basic supplies for the bedroom, kitchen, and bath and adjust them for different sizes of households. Our partner agencies (refer to our Annual Report for a list) pick the kits up and distribute them to their clients. All items in the kits are purchased new. Starting Over Supplies kits allow those who are starting over with very limited financial resources to set up their new homes.

Social Service agencies in Tucson complete a contract with Assistance League. The agency workers e-mail a completed Starting Over Supplies request form to Assistance League for each client and our Members pack the requested supplies into a nice laundry basket and large plastic bags if extra bedding and towels are needed for larger families. These kits are packed at our Philanthropic Programs Center and are picked up by agency workers who deliver them to those clients in need.

This program which offers a new beginning for so many people is funded from the proceeds of fundraising activities, Thrift Shop sales, donations, and grants. Every contribution makes a difference to the underserved in Tucson.

Since 1994, Operation School Bell has provided new, age-appropriate school clothing to underserved children in the Tucson area.  The recipients, who come from families in extreme need, are selected by school administrators, teachers, and counselors at their respective schools or agencies.  We contract with 5 school districts and a few residential agencies.

Funding for Operation School Bell comes from revenues from our Thrift Shop, monetary donations and grants. School principals and representatives report that the new clothing contributes to the children’s sense of self-worth, aiding their academic performance.

For a listing of schools and agencies served this year, please refer to our Annual Report.

About half of the Tucson public schools served by Operation School Bell require their students to wear uniforms.  We provide vouchers to school staff to distribute to those children in greatest need.  Parents and school liaisons/representatives then bring the children to one of our scheduled distribution events at our Philanthropic Programs building on N. Alvernon Way in Tucson; there they may choose a backpack, 3 sets of new uniforms (pants/skorts and tops), a hoodie, underwear, socks, and shoes.  When the children arrive, they are welcomed by our volunteers who work with them to assure that they select properly-sized clothing and a well-fitting pair of athletic shoes. 

Operation School Bell also serves schools that do not require the children to wear uniforms.  Children are selected by representatives from participating schools/agencies to receive vouchers, which can be redeemed at one of the Target Events scheduled throughout the year.  These events occur on designated days during non-business hours.  Operation School Bell volunteers are present to greet the children when they arrive, and to assist with the selection of appropriate school  clothing and shoes.

Assistance League of Tucson joins with Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA), Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center (SACAC) and Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse to respond to the needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual, mental and/or physical abuse, and human trafficking in our community.

Through its Assault Survivor Kits^® program, Assistance League of Tucson provides basic clothing and toiletries to the agencies listed above. The agencies then disperse the items directly to their clients. When someone has been a victim – of any gender identity – of sexual assault and/or physical abuse, the victim may have to turn over their clothing to law enforcement as possible evidence. Clients range in age from infant to adults.

Our volunteers purchase brand new clothing that is specifically requested by the agencies to have on hand for victims. SACASA personnel provide the clothing and toiletries to the victim when the forensic exam at a local hospital is complete. The victim is allowed to shower and change into clean, new clothes to wear when leaving the medical facility. Thanks to the efforts of Assistance League, SACASA has a ready supply of clothing and toiletries to provide to victims.

Assistance League of Tucson supports Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center (SACAC) which conducts forensic interviews, medical exams and provides counseling to children and their families of any gender identity, infant to 18 years old. Brand new clothing, toiletries, and basic snacks are provided to the children. Clothing may have to be put into evidence and often these children may have to be removed from their current residency. The clothing and toiletries assist them with the transition to a new home. Personnel at SACAC report that the opportunity for the child to choose a new outfit of clothing and a snack helps them feel like they have some control over their lives. This helps them to feel empowered to enter a new chapter in their lives.

Basic clothing and toiletries are provided by Assistance League of Tucson to the victims of domestic abuse that are seeking assistance from Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse. Emerge is the largest provider of comprehensive domestic abuse services and programs in southern Arizona.

The aim of Assault Survivor Kits^® is to reduce some of the trauma of sexual, mental, and physical abuse experienced by members of our local community. Dignity is restored and our help assists the victim in allowing the healing process to begin.

Our programs are funded from our thrift shop proceeds, individual donations, fundraisers, and generous grants. We serve more than 16,500 members of our community each year. Our By the Numbers page shows how we do it all.

Assisteens Auxiliary

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Serving the Tucson Community since 1959
with programs that inspire hope and restore dignity.

All funds stay in Tucson
to benefit those most in need in our community.

Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community

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Please join us to celebrate the years of service of our senior Assisteens.   Choose your entrees, list your guests, and make sure to enter the name of the Assisteen to whom we should credit the purchase.  

If you would like to purchase a tribute to an Assisteen that will be published in the program, please fill out the Tribute Form.

Win two round-trip tickets on United Airlines  Purchase your raffle tickets now and dream about your next, great trip.  Only 1,000 tickets will be sold! 

Raffle ticket purchases are limited to individuals located in Arizona, per the AZ Department of Gaming.  You must be a resident of Arizona to win.

The drawing will be held on March 12, 2025 at Assistance League.  You do not need to be present to win. 

All proceeds benefit Assistance League of Tucson.  Thank you for supporting Assistance League’s programs!!

The retail total value of the two certificates is $5,300 USD.  This raffle is sponsored by  Assistance League of Tucson, a qualified 501(3)(c) Arizona nonprofit corporation.

The Fashion Show fundraiser supports the Assisteens’ programs:  Assisteens^® Helping Tucson Teens and Assisteens^® Community Service.  Assisteens organize the fashion show, solicit donations for the silent auction, and model the fashions.  Learn more about our high school volunteers and their programs here.

Volunteers working together

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About Us

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Assistance League of Tucson welcomes the opportunity to speak at business luncheons, club meetings, churches, schools, or other gatherings. Please send us a request and we will be happy to discuss your needs and tailor a presentation for your group.

We are also interested in participating in community events and festivals.  If your organization has a special community event, please contact us with more information about how we can participate.