Literacy effort part of outreach for Desert Sage auxiliary group

Thousands of kindergarten students in the Las Vegas Valley are learning to read with the help of handmade books from a local women's volunteer group.

The Assistance League of Las Vegas has been volunteering in the community for more than 30 years. Members traditionally put in at least 200 hours of service annually, but for those with limited discretionary time, the Desert Sage auxiliary group was created in 2001.

The Desert Sage group has two signature programs that help children and adults. The Pocket Books program was created to emphasize key literacy concepts among students in kindergarten and younger.

The books are written and illustrated by group members on pages about one-quarter the size of traditional paper and bound into books by PDQ Printing, 3820 S. Valley View Blvd. The group distributed more than 87,000 books to at-risk students last school year.

"Once they can read at a first- or second-grade level, there's lots of books," said program creator Kim Perron. "We're really trying to teach young kids to read. (The books) are really basic, very repetitive."

The group has published 16 titles, including storybooks and concept books that cover the alphabet, colors, numbers and shapes. About 50 schools received the books last year.

The program started nearly a decade ago with a budget of about $2,000. Desert Sage expects to spend about $20,000 this year on paper and printing costs.

The group is funded in part by the Assistance League Thrift Shop, 6446 W. Charleston Blvd., grants from Cox Cable and Target, donations and its annual Sip N Shop fundraiser, which is scheduled for March 24, 2012, at the World Market Center, 495 S. Grand Central Parkway.

Desert Sage's Angel's Assistance program was started to help families that suffer the loss of an infant at birth or shortly thereafter.

Members create "memory boxes" that include a hand-sewn gown, a bonnet, a blanket, a necklace and a book on grieving.

More than 180 boxes were distributed to four local hospitals last fiscal year, and more than 130 have been distributed already since the new year started in June. About 900 boxes have been made since the program started.

The group got the idea for the program after asking representatives from University Medical Center what they could do to help. The hospital needed bereavement items for families more than anything, Perron said.

The hospitals used to have only a blue disposable drape to present the baby in when parents said their final goodbyes.

"The thought of a parent losing a baby and not having anything to ease the passage of that a little bit is awful," Perron said. "Not only does it make it easier for parents, but ... it helps the nurses. To be able to have that little bit makes it a little less unpleasant."

Nurses have told Perron that some parents will keep the gowns because it is the only piece of clothing their child ever wore.

"I think they're a great group of women," Perron said of the Desert Sage auxiliary. "These are people that are dedicated to providing something for their community, trying to make it a little better place."

Desert Sage chairwoman Betsy Angelcor said the group, which has about 50 members, is actively seeking new members. There is no age requirement, and members must commit to 30 hours of service and $60 in annual dues.

"Desert Sage is always looking for assistance in the areas of writing, illustrating, sewing and soliciting donations," Angelcor said. "The skills people have in our community could be put to use at almost every level. It's a really rewarding experience."

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Assistance League office, also at 6446 W. Charleston Blvd. Prospective members are encouraged to attend a meeting or email assistanceleaguelv@gmail.com for more information.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.