By Christian Mignot
The example set by these young ladies will forever destroy any shopping-obsessed, self-centered, Britney Spears wannabe stereotypes of the teen girl.
The Assisteens of Santa Clara County are a group of teenage girls who give their time throughout the year to volunteer in the community.
The group was established in 1966 as an offshoot of the non-profit Assistance League of Santa Clara County.
It currently consists of about 15 teen-age girls, ages 13-18, who attend school in the Los Altos and Mountain View areas.
This evening, as part of their commitment to the community, they will hold an ice cream social for patients at H.O.M.E., a 42-unit apartment complex run by the Assistance League and located at Stanford Medical Center.
This facility provides low-rent, fully-furnished apartments for patients undergoing tests or treatment at the hospital, along with their family members.
“The girls have been significantly involved at H.O.M.E.,” said Sandy Jones, Assistance League PR director. “At Christmas they make decorations to liven up the facility, and on other occasions they simply mingle with the patients, trying to provide some cheer.”
In addition, the girls help organize events such as the upcoming social, which is scheduled for 7:30-8 p.m. today.
“The social will be an opportunity for something special to occur for these families, making them feel better when going through the trauma that illness can cause,” Jones said.
The Assisteens usually meet at the beginning of each month to plan their involvement over the following four weeks.
Traditionally, the group’s activities have taken three main forms.
Along with their involvement at H.O.M.E., the Assisteens help staff the Costume Bank, a business located on Third Street in Los Altos, owned and operated by the Assistance League to raise funds for its programs. They also assemble hygiene kits for the homeless that are distributed through local community shelters, as part of the “We Care” program run by the League.
“It’s really a win-win situation,” said Pam Harris, Assisteens coordinator for the last three years. “It’s a blast working with such a great group of girls. They do great work not only for the community but also for themselves, as it allows them to gain a more mature perspective on life.”
“It’s a great way to do community service,” said Laura Oehlberg, Assisteens president and a junior at Los Altos High School. “It’s really fun working with my friends for the benefit of the community and people are really appreciative of what you do.”
“I enjoy working at H.O.M.E. the most,” said Sara Tillim, a freshman at Los Altos High School in her second year as a member of the Assisteens. “The best thing is seeing the reactions on the faces of the patients when we bring in decorations for them. It’s great to see what we are working for.”
All teen-age girls who wish to volunteer are welcome to join. For more information, call 941-2610 or 941-4625.
