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Assistance League plans fashion show fundraiser

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

An organization of volunteers that helped thousands of East Valley schoolchildren this year despite the pandemic is gearing up to celebrate this achievement at a fashion show and luncheon.

The Assistance League of East Valley has scheduled its Friends and Fashion luncheon at noon Oct. 24 at the Holiday Inn in Chandler, 1200 W. Ocotillo Road.

League members will model clothing from Judy Wear Boutique and hold a silent auction for an array of items, many of which make ideal holiday gifts.

Judy Wear Boutique, 950 E. Riggs Road, Chandler, boast ladies wear that is “fun and functional.” The nonprofit hopes others from the community will join its members to learn more about the organization and consider joining their efforts as it marks its 25th anniversary.

“Looking back at all we’ve been through this year, and all the wonderful things we’ve still been able to accomplish, we want this to be a fun, casual event with a spirit of celebration,” said Marsha Calhoun

of Chandler, the chairperson for the event. “We support so many different areas, and have so many diverse projects we’re passionate about, that there’s something for everyone in this group,” Calhoun said. The Assistance League provided clothing and supplies for over 9,000 elementary school children this year in Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Tempe. Members also supplied 575 homeless teens in Gilbert and Chandler with clothing, shoes, hygiene items, Marsha Calhoun, left, who chairs the Assistance League of East food, bus passes and Valley’s upcoming fashion show and luncheon, and Mary Louise academic support. Lansbarkis will be among League members modeling clothing. Volunteers delivered (Special to the Tribune) over 5,000 assault survivor kits to local agencies, and currently are providing regular social events for two adult daycare centers. They awarded 13 college scholarships this year.

“With the help of a county grant, the group was able to achieve all this despite having to close their thrift shop for part of the year and limit its hours of operation,” a spokeswoman noted. The nonprofit says on its website that it “assesses the unmet needs of the community and addresses these needs through its programs, which are evaluated annually and adjusted when necessary.”

Its philanthropic programs are funded by events such as the luncheon as well as by individual, corporate and foundation donations.

The Assistance League Thrift Shop, at 2326 N. Alma School Rd. in Chandler, is now open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The silent auction will include jewelry; golf, and goat yoga packages; tickets for the Phoenix Suns and a Gammage theater production; and certificates for specialty floral items and DJ services.

Tickets are $50 and are available at the Thrift Shop or at assistanceleague.org/eastvalley/friends-and-fashion-luncheon. ■

ASU ‘Hackathon’ addresses social ills

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Hacks for Humanity, sponsored by a special program at Arizona State University, normally is a round-theclock weekend mental blitz on campus that draws several hundred people of all ages and from all walks of life.

And even though the pandemic is forcing the eighth annual “hackathon” into virtual mode for the second consecutive year Oct. 8-10, its mission hasn’t changed: generate technical solutions for social, economic, and political issues within a limited time span.

“While a common misconception about hackathons is that participants must be coders, Hacks for Humanity welcomes individuals from a wide range of backgrounds,” organizers note. “In fact, victory requires a range of diverse perspectives, skillsets, and talents.”

Teams are organized upon commencement to ensure each has a variety of technical skills and knowledge specialties ranging from graphic design, coding, humanism, marketing, web development, business and more.

They compete for cash prizes totaling well over $10,000, not to mention the networking, fun, and notoriety involvement provides for participants.

This year’s Hacks for Humanity challenges teams to focus on one out of three designated topics: water, sports, and healthcare.

For sports, organizers pose this question: “How can technology dismantle the inequity, injustice and sometimes downright abuse that occurs in sports?”

The healthcare challenge is “How can technology be a way to re-imagine existing approaches to healthcare that do not limit equitable access to quality care?”

As for water, teams will address this question: “What solutions can lead to more respect for bodies of water and all the living things that need it to survive?”

Any product in any of these areas must include three of these seven Humanity 101 principles: kindness, compassion, integrity, respect, empathy, forgiveness, and self-reflection. Last year’s first-place winner was a product that helps potential victims identify if their relationship is abusive, connect them to the appropriate services, provide ongoing support, and the ability to record abusive incidents in the form of a journal.

“The solution looks to empower victims to recognize when they are in an abusive situation and seek support services,” said Dr. Neal Lester, founder and director of Project Humanities and the Foundation Professor of English at ASU.

“They are at the heart of everything we do and we seek to support them through Humanity 101 principles,” he added.

Project Humanities is a university initiative at Arizona State University that leads local and national critical conversations around some of society’s most pressing challenges.

Information: hacksforhumanity.io, 480-727-7030 or projecthumanities@

asu.edu. ■

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