Assistance League of Arcadia is pleased to announce that its philanthropic program, Operation School Bell, has reached an important milestone of assisting more than 23,000 children in need with clothes and supplies since 1970.
In celebration of 40 years of service to the community, Assistance League of Arcadia and Las Alas and Assisteens are hosting an Open House at its chapter house, 100 South Santa Anita Ave., on March 9, 2010, between 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Tours of Operation School Bell will be offered from 4:30 – 6:30 and light refreshments will be served. Door prizes will also be given out.
Operation School Bell provides new clothing, including a warm jacket, a hooded sweatshirt, underwear, shirts, pants, shoes, backpacks, hygiene kits, and books to disadvantaged school children. During the past year, Operation School Bell clothed more than 1,200 children throughout the San Gabriel Valley, including Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Temple City, Alhambra, and Rosemead. Children are pre-identified through arrangements made with local schools and counselors.
The mission of Operation School Bell is to provide schoolchildren in need with new clothes, school supplies and hygiene kits with the goal of helping them feel not only better about themselves – but also about going to and staying in school. Studies have shown that children who attend school inappropriately dressed are at a disadvantage and that appropriate school clothing can improve school attendance and help classroom performance. By providing proper clothing and learning materials, Operation School Bell helps children arrive in the classroom better prepared to learn. These benefits of the program are readily evident. Yet more profound and immeasurable is the bolstered foundation of pride and self-esteem that stays with the child beyond the classroom.
Not surprisingly, schoolteachers and counselors see an immediate difference in the emotional state of the children assisted by Operation School Bell.
As expressed by Susan Dahle, Operation School Bell Chairman, “At Operation School Bell we believe that every child deserves a chance to attend school with the appropriate clothing, shoes, and supplies. But our feelings about this program are probably best expressed by one of our young “customers” who was overheard, as she was leaving with her new clothes, exclaiming, “This place–I love it!”
Assistance League was established in the late 1890’s to provide services in individual communities through philanthropic programs. One hundred years later, the organization has over 122 chapters in 27 states providing much needed services to the communities they serve. Assistance League volunteers are vital contributors to their individual communities and have developed over 750 philanthropic programs that annually serve nearly 1,500,000 children, seniors, families and others in need.
Locally, Assistance League of Arcadia provided services last year to more than 13,500 children, senior citizens, and students of all ages through our programs. The Hospital Services Program distributes magazines for hospital waiting rooms and patients. Senior Programs provide retired seniors and visually impaired the opportunity to gather and socialize. Kids on the Block® educates elementary students with puppet shows about smoking, bullying, disabilities, and childhood obesity.
And the Layette Program provides infant clothing and supplies for new mothers in need.
Serving the community since 1954, Assistance League of Arcadia returned over $148,000 to Arcadia and the surrounding communities last year. Programs are funded through donations and the operation of The Bargain Box, a thrift shop located at 64 East Live Oak Avenue, Arcadia, CA.
The members of Assistance League of Arcadia put caring and commitment into action and are always looking for more, strong, dedicated volunteers to join their ranks and make a difference in the community.