Philanthropy | Charity at Home and Beyond: National Charity League of Sarasota

By Christine Isaac | August 2024

The adage “Charity begins at home” was first printed in 1642 by Sir Thomas Browne, but it was 17th-century historian Thomas Fuller who continued the adage this way: “Charity begins at home but should not end there.” No one could embody this sentiment more fully than the women of the Sarasota chapter of the National Charity League, Inc.

In speaking with Kymberly Allen, a founding member of the local National Charity League chapter, it’s impossible to miss the note of pride in her voice as she explains the active philanthropy mission at the core of the organization. It began in 1925 when a group of Los Angeles women established the first National Charity League, making layettes for the American Red Cross and assembling food baskets for the hungry. In 1936, these women recruited some female students from UCLA to assist and support activities at Children’s Hospital in their spare time, earning the younger women the nickname “Ticktockers.”  By 1947, the NCL had settled into its multi-generational constituency, expanding its philanthropic focus to include educational and cultural volunteer activities and, very importantly, as Kymberly shared, “The National Charity League was the very first mother-daughter philanthropic organization.”

The National Charity League utilizes grade-specific curriculums led and managed by student volunteers in grades 7 – 12. The curriculum incorporates the organization’s six core-value themes, namely strengthening the mother-daughter bond, empowering women with the skills to mentor and lead, inspiring a legacy of social awareness and compassion, providing depth of support in local communities, honoring a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and modeling integrity, graciousness, and excellence. 

As an example of local community support, Kymberly shared this example. “After Hurricane Ian struck, our Chapter applied for and received a $1000 grant from the Michael Saunders Foundation to be specifically used for vulnerable children and families impacted. Our girls did a thorough community assessment, deciding how to most effectively use those funds by working with and through Harvest House. They identified priority needs including highchairs, diapers, toiletries, and school supplies. They then purchased and delivered those items to Harvest House for the Family and Teen Centers.”

In the case of Kymberly’s family, the NCL has provided a venue to serve the Sarasota/Bradenton community and helped them feel part of it as a family. “We moved to Sarasota after my husband was offered a job here.” She readily acknowledges that volunteering in tandem with her daughter helped them both get to know the community and perhaps each other, much better. 

“Initially, it helped us become familiar with the community. Learning about who lived here, what populations needed assistance, and what organizations needed help providing that assistance. But it’s also allowed our daughters to see us in a different light— as volunteers, as leaders and organizers.”  Pausing, Kymberly poignantly adds, “My daughter has told me that I am a great role model.”  

With the initiative of a few local women like Kymberly, Sarasota’s chapter of the NCL was founded in 2020 becoming the very first NCL chapter in the state of Florida. With membership driven by word of mouth, it has seen an impressive four-year growth from 15 members to 137 members. Currently, the National Charity League, Inc. has over 302 chapters in 34 states, 200,000 members and alumnae, and has donated over 2.7 million volunteer hours in its communities. Its national bylaws state that the dynamic mother-daughter duos must commit to a prescribed amount of both philanthropy and leadership hours per year as well as a yearly commitment of no fewer than four years, making sure to round out their volunteer experience with a yearly internal Awards Tea to savor their accomplishments and bonds.

After we’ve said our goodbyes, Kymberly sends along some photos of the NCL Sarasota Chapter in action. Photos included a lineup of proud girls at the All Faiths Food Bank where they’d just bundled up 600 packs of food for local students; beaming students posing with Mothers Helping Mothers at its annual Halloween costume event where families are welcome to take costumes for their children free of charge;  another shows a sea of 1500 highlighter-bright backpacks, a back-to-school initiative for the Tiny Hands Foundation; and, astoundingly, a photo of a group of 7th-grade ‘TickTockers’ huddled together in collaboration and planning rather than, well, TikTok. 

Before I ended the interview, I asked Kymberly what the Sarasota chapter of the National Charity League does for our community that no other organization else does.  Her answer came quickly. 

“We are proud that we help our community, that we foster leadership in women, honor diversity and culture, and that we hold high standards as representatives and role models. But I’d have to say the tradition of volunteering as mother and daughter is what sets us apart.” 

For me as a parent and 40-year resident of Sarasota, I’d venture that what sets the NCL Sarasota Chapter apart from others is also what draws them more tightly together— embodying the notion that charity beginning at home can’t help but enrich both community and the home itself.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about the National Charity League, please visit www.nationalcharityleague.org/chapter/sarasota/ or reach out to local chapter President Kymberly Allen National Charity League, Inc Sarasota Chapter at kymallen@yahoo.com.

If you would like to support the National Charity League, Inc. with grants, donations, or supplies, please visit nclsarasota@nclonline.org