In 1925 a group of women in Los Angeles led by Gladys Lawrence gathered to make food baskets for the American Red Cross and called themselves “The Charity League.” Through the depression and World War II, The Charity League, a fractioned mother-daughter volunteer group, found ways to help be of service to organizations in their communities.
By 1947, they reorganized as one united group and called themselves the National Charity League (NCL). Today NCL is recognized as the original mother-daughter charity organization with over 300 chapters of mothers and their daughters in grades 7-12 nationwide, according to a news release.
The San Diego del Norte Chapter was founded in 1991. It is the second oldest chapter in San Diego, the first was established in 1971 and was based in La Jolla. It is the 37th chapter nationwide. Currently there are two legacy mothers in the San Diego del Norte Chapter who were part of the first San Diego Chapter and one mother who was in the founding class of the San Diego del Norte Chapter.
Throughout the year, NCL has been celebrating 100 years of service and the San Diego del Norte Chapter spent the year celebrating. In January, the chapter launched the 100-year celebration at their annual Mother-Daughter meeting with gold and glitter balloons, cake, flowers and a photo booth. In April, President Dr. Preeti Sonni-Mehta and incoming President Danielle Whitaker White attended the NCL National Conference to celebrate the centennial.
Sonni-Mehta said of the event in the news release, “I’m thrilled to have been president during such a monumental year for NCL and this event just exemplified the spirit of our organization as a group of dedicated mothers and daughters who collectively want to help assist and improve our communities through philanthropy and volunteering. I hope my daughters Maya and Nila become involved with NCL in the years to come to keep the legacy alive.”
White, who is the daughter of a founding member of the San Diego del Norte Chapter, said of the event in the news release, “The convention was amazing to see the size and magnitude of NCL’s current reach! I’m proud to have a legacy and I hope my daughter carries on the family tradition.”
White’s mother, Dona Witaker, was the original parliamentarian for the San Diego del Norte Chapter. White said her mother encouraged her to because she wanted to expose her to the ideas of philanthropy and leadership and to do things outside of her “bubble.” She went on to say that one of her fondest memories was volunteering at the Darlington House Residence her senior year where she spent many hours helping with meals and serving the older adults who lived there.
“I was so fond of the people,” she said in the news release, “that after I graduated from high school, they offered me a summer job working in the dining room.”
White hopes her daughter Alexandria is gaining the same appreciation for philanthropy and leadership skills and that she, too, will have fond memories of her time with her throughout their journey together.
Before the San Diego del Norte Chapter, there was the San Diego Chapter where two legacies began their journey with their mothers.
Julie Mulvihill Mayer and Ashley Sammis-Tapp were Ticktockers (the name given to daughters in NCL) in the original San Diego Chapter. Mayer, whose mother Mary Mulvihill was one of the founding of the chapter with Mayer’s older sister, was inspired to start the chapter in San Diego because as a philanthropist she wanted to share those experiences with her children. Mulvihill said in the news release that she is trilled “to think the one small group of girls we had from all over town has grown into multiple chapters in San Diego.”
Mayer re her days as a Ticktocker fondly from working with a fashion consultant from Saks Fifth Avenue for the fashion show, to making quilt wreaths for the NCL Holiday Boutique and achieving the 100-hour volunteer service award for her work with Casa de Amparo.
Now as a Patroness (mother of a Ticktocker), she hopes to have the same bonding experiences with her daughter Faith and show her that being of service can be both fulfilling and fun.
Sammis-Tapp also had an older sister who paved the way for her to the San Diego chapter. She said in the news release, “My mom was already an active member of the community, so getting her daughters involved in giving back made sense.”
She has fond memories of volunteering at the local library, assisting with the summer reading program and working with the children.
Like her mother hoped for her, Sammis-Tapp hopes her daughter Ava will understand the value of giving back to her community and helping others. One of their favorite activities is distributing food at Bridge of Hope in City Heights, “It’s one of the highlights of our summer,” Sammis-Tapp said.
Of NCL’s growth Sammis-Tapp said in the news release, “I think it’s wonderful that NCL continues to grow and thrive, providing a wider outreach to the organizations we serve throughout San Diego County.
White agreed, saying in the news release “I think NCL speaks to the core of our humanity, the need to help others and better our communities. Taking care of each other is a timeless concept.”
In May, the chapter hosted their end-of-year Mother/ Daughter tea and luncheon at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club and is looking forward to an amazing year ahead, the news release stated.
Visit www.nationalcharityleague.org to find more information on how to get involved.
