45th Taste of the Town Charity Fundraiser,

About the event

“Taste of the Town” is our largest fundraiser.  Its primary goal is to fund our Operation School Bell philanthropy, our largest humanitarian program, which provides new school clothing for disadvantaged school children in North Orange County. Operation School Bell has an annual budget of $180,000 and serves over 1,500 each year.

Assistance League of Fullerton has organized and offered Taste of the Town as a fundraiser in the City of Fullerton during the summer for the past 43 years.  It is set up and staffed by our volunteers, and local restaurants provide the food as an in-kind donation.  Advance mailings for ticket sales,  raffles of baskets, in-kind donations of tickets and gift cards from local businesses and parks/museums, sponsorships, and opportunity drawings improve the overall funds that are raised.  This event nets about $40,000-$50,000 a year which is raised for our philanthropies.

Assistance League of Fullerton raises money all year to support our philanthropies. Our primary income derives from thrift shop sales from a building we are fortunate to own in Fullerton.  Our current annual budget for 2024-2025 is $478,250.

In previous years, the event was held outdoors in downtown Fullerton. For the past two years, and in the upcoming year, the event will be held in Hangar 21 at the Fullerton Airport, a fun destination for patrons.

Why should you sponsor?

Assistance League of Fullerton (ALF) is an 84-year-old, all-volunteer organization that has operated continuously in Fullerton, CA, while also serving surrounding communities. Our mission is “Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.” Our Federal Tax ID is 95-6054959.

We have no paid staff.  We own and operate a thrift shop in downtown Fullerton, and 85% of our funds are derived from thrift shop sales. Total volunteer hours in 2023-2024 were 30,131. Volunteer service includes fundraising, working in our thrift shop, and working directly with children and other patrons.  This volunteer group comprises retired people with a median age of about 65 years.

Some of ALF’s philanthropic concentrations include Operation School Bell (new school clothes for impoverished children—our largest philanthropy); Operation New Start (providing clothing and household items for women and children leaving abusive environments; providing thrift shop vouchers for clothing and household items for homeless families and individuals); Foster Youth Success Initiative (providing clothing and household items for emancipated foster youth attending Fullerton College);  La Vista Alternative High School (providing community support, funds for scholarships, awards, diapers for mothers with children at the school’s daycare program, and other areas of need); and Meals on Wheels (providing office space and utilities for the local program). 

Gayle Berggren

My name is Gayle and I have been an Assistance League of Fullerton volunteer for seven years, joining right after retirement. Prior to my retirement I was a college psychology professor for 38 years! I love being a member of this active, community service organization.

Assistance League of Fullerton members accept roles that can best help the organization, and which suit their personal skills and interests: I have been fulfilling the role of grant writer for the organization and have had some success for the past seven years.  I also assist with fund raising events, specifically in finding donations. Last year we had 12 sponsors for our Taste of the Town event, and we hope to find at least that many sponsors again, and to grow our sponsor group, if possible.

I hope you will consider sponsoring our fund-raising event and supporting our many fine philanthropies.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

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