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Operation School Bell

Operation School Bell is the largest of the six philanthropic programs. Thousands of children in Phoenix do not have adequate school clothing. Working with staff at Title 1 schools, and with the help of our donors and supporters, the Assistance League of Phoenix has provided new school clothing to children in poverty in the Phoenix area for over 25 years. During the 2014-15 year, a total of 7,394 children were given full school uniforms consisting of 3 polos, 2 bottoms (pants, shorts or skorts), shoes, socks, underwear, a sweatshirt, a belt, a hygiene kit and a book of their choice.

Each school can select up to 100 children who qualify for our program (students on the free or reduced lunch program) and are chosen by school social workers or other school personnel. The children are dressed at either our Philanthropic Center or in our Delivering Dreams Bus which travels to schools to dress the students. A $100 reimbursement per trip is offered to help aid in the transportation cost of getting to our facility. If the school cannot provide transportation, our bus will travel to them. At each of our locations every child must present their signed permission slip before being dressed.

The Benefits of Operation School Bell

Dressing at our Philanthropic Center
At our Philanthropic Center we have several dressing rooms and a large play area where students who are waiting to be dressed can work on crafts, choose a book to read, or play with Legos or on laptop computers. Each child is dressed individually by one of our members specially trained for this program. Several parents or teachers accompany each group of children and help supervise the play area. We dress up to 35 children a day, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 am-11:00 am which allows time for the children to return to school for lunch.
Delivering Dreams Bus
In 2012, thanks to a very generous grant from the Arizona Diamondbacks, we started our Delivering Dreams Bus, allowing us to reach more Title I schools in our community. A 40-foot city bus was converted into a mobile dressing center. The bus features a waiting area for 3 children, 4 dressing rooms, shoe fitting area, and racks of clothing. The Bus operates Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. Approximately 50 kids can be dressed during a campus visit. Every student works with an Assistance League member providing one-on-one fitting. Schools are encouraged to have parent volunteers work with us on the bus, however parents are not allowed to work with their own children.
Emergency Clothing
Another service offered by Operation School Bell is to provide clothing packages for children specifically identified as free lunch children who have experienced a tragedy such as being homeless, refugees, victims of fire, or other family tragedy. The child’s measurements are faxed to our volunteers by the school social worker. Printable shoe diagrams are provided to ensure proper sizing. Our volunteers then select the appropriate clothing. Once completed, the school is contacted to make arrangements to have the clothing picked up.
Volunteers Who Work With the Children
Assistance League of Phoenix members volunteer to work with Operation School Bell primarily because the need is obvious and the work is rewarding. Each member who elects to work with the children undergoes a training period working under supervision with experienced volunteers. These Assistance League of Phoenix members are sensitive to the children’s need for welcoming warmth as well as privacy. If help is needed they are trained to seek assistance from the school counselor or social worker that is always present. Community volunteers sometimes help dress because it is a rewarding experience to help a child who may not have many caring adults in his or her life. Volunteers from local companies are welcome to help outfit the children and help with ongoing inventory, and we are grateful to such companies as American Express, Chamberlain College of Nursing, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, Hardison/Downey Construction, Inc., and Wells Fargo who regularly help in Operation School Bell. Employees of local companies are encouraged to volunteer in Operation School Bell in preparing clothing for distribution or assisting children in being fitted for new clothes.
Geographic Area Served
Operation School Bell serves 85 schools in 11 school districts located in the east, west, central and north sections of Phoenix: The area ranges from 64th Street on the east to Litchfield on the west; Baseline on the south to Bell Rd. on the north. Following are the districts served:

Alhambra School District in west central Phoenix
Balsz District in east central Phoenix
Cartwright District in east Phoenix
Creighton District in east central Phoenix
Glendale District in the west Valley
Imagine at Bell Canyon, Imagine at Camelback, Imagine at Cortez
Isaac District in west Phoenix
Osborn District in central Phoenix
Phoenix Elementary District in central Phoenix
Washington District in Glendale and Sunnyslope areas
Wilson School District in central Phoenix

Partners

Operation School Bell thanks our many partners who make our work possible:

Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, BHHS Legacy Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona, City of Phoenix, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, Fry’s, John C. Lincoln Dental Clinic, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Phoenix Rotary 100, Phoenix Suns Charities, The Arizona Republic/12 News Season for Sharing, The Sundt Foundation, Thunderbirds Charities, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

Program Contact

Alan Dunlap, Delivering Dreams Bus driver@alphx.org 602.944.7636 ;


Donna VanDaele, On Site Dressing osb@alphx.org