Georgetown Edition | March 2026

Nonpro t

BY CLAIRE SHOOP

To keep the thrift store's stock fresh and relevant, a team of volunteers works to sort, tag and store donated items.

Another group of volunteers creates gift baskets, wreaths and oral arrangements from donated items.

From left, Jane Shepherd, Yvonne Woodburn and Marilyn Kounnas are three of Assistance League Georgetown Area's volunteer leaders.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA MCLARENCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Thrift store funds nonprot’s philanthropic pursuits

ALGA's philanthropic programs

Operation School Bell , which provides new clothing and shoes to area students Reading & More , which supports literacy through the donation of books and educational materials, and includes volunteers reading in schools A scholarship program , which oers two- and four- year scholarships to colleges and trade schools Assist-A-Teacher , which provides classroom grants to fund supplies and enhanced learning experiences The outreach program , which started as victim services and provided police ocers $100 gift cards to distribute to people needing a bus ticket or hotel. Now, the program has expanded, and aims to address people’s immediate needs, including food, clothing, baby items or other essentials ALGA’s Bridges program , which partners with Georgetown ISD to provide students in the transitional program for students with disabilities with interview attire, hair cuts, cellphones, transportation, tools and more to support their career journey

There’s more to the Assistance League George- town Area than its carefully curated thrift store on Williams Drive. The proceeds from the store fund the nonprot’s work throughout Williamson County. And an ongoing capital campaign, upcom- ing new location and name change will allow the organization to expand its eorts, leaders said. A closer look The organization doesn’t have any paid sta; instead the store and the nonprot’s philanthropic programs are led by a group of 225 volunteers, ALGA President Marilyn Kounnas said. The 8,500-square-foot store carries men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and homegoods. Each Tuesday, the store’s inventory, theme and decor are completely turned over. Volunteers work to match oerings in the store to the season or upcoming holiday. Yvonne Woodburn, ALGA vice president of marketing and communications, said the store has gained foot trac as thrifting and sustainability eorts have become more popular. “We really want to show that we’re not just a thrift shop,” Woodburn said. “This is what helps us nance the things that we do.” The why Kounnas said ALGA’s signature and longest-run- ning program is Operation School Bell. Last year, the nonprot helped clothe 2,500 kids by providing

$100 for elementary school students and $150 for middle schoolers to shop at JCPenney. Because the nonprot is tax-exempt, all the items purchased are as well, and JCPenney oers an additional percent- age o . “We talk about how we see the unseen,” Kounnas said. “You just have to look, and you have to be willing to serve and get to those folks.” What’s next Jane Shepherd, ALGA vice president of the thrift shop, said the nonprot’s biggest challenge is that it’s out of space. Because of this, the organization bought land o of Williams Drive and Verde Vista early last year. On this plot, ALGA plans to build a 17,000-square-foot facility that will double the organization’s space. ALGA launched a capital campaign in February to raise $7.3 million, which will fund the new building’s construction, its furniture, the move and a sustainability fund to cover operating expenses for a couple of years, Shepherd said. “The new building is not to make it more com- fortable for us,” Shepherd said. “It is to serve a larger community.” Additionally, the nonprot is rebranding June 1, cutting ties with the nationwide Assistance League organization. The new name, rebranded programs and upcoming initiatives will be announced at the organization’s annual fundraising gala April 22.

900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 115, Georgetown www.assistanceleague.org/georgetown-area

GEORGETOWN EDITION