We Clothe Children to Boost Their Self-Esteem

On August 21, 2008, Operation School Bell began celebrating its silver anniversary. This school year marks twenty-five years of Assistance League members serving underprivileged children. The goal was to provide new school clothing and supplies to 2,750 underserved children from Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and the Metropolitan School Districts (MSD) of Lawrence, Pike, Warren and Washington Townships.

Each year, thousands of families struggle to provide even the basics for their children, for example a warm winter coat or a properly fitting pair of shoes. The mission of Operation School Bell is to provide economically disadvantaged school children with new school uniforms, clothes, jackets, shoes, school supplies, books, and hygiene kits. By providing proper clothing and learning materials, Operation School Bell helps children arrive in the classroom better prepared to learn. Not surprisingly, schoolteachers and counselors see an immediate difference in the emotional state of the children assisted by Operation School Bell. They report that the children, who participate in Operation School Bell, tend to miss fewer days, work harder on their studies, and participate in extracurricular activities. This behavior can only aid the children as they grow. We hope this renewed self-confidence will help to instill the importance of staying in school and receiving a high school diploma. Hopefully, in the future, when they recall the actions of Assistance League of Indianapolis and its charitable supporters, they may lend a helping hand to economically disadvantaged students in their community.

Children are referred from IPS and the MSD's of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, and Washington Townships. Children are selected by school personnel and meet financial qualifications at or below the poverty level. The children are bussed by their school districts to the shop where they are met by Assistance League volunteers and accompanied individually to select their new clothing and supplies.

On August 21, 2008, children began visiting Operation School Bell. The goal was to provide 2,750 disadvantaged children with new uniforms, other clothing and supplies through out the five Marion County school districts.  For the 2008-2009 Operation School Bell exceeded its projected goal and provided 2790 children with the following new items.

Each child received:

• 1 winter jacket
• Hat, scarf and gloves set
• 6 pairs of socks
• 6 briefs
• School supplies
• Hygiene supplies
• 2 age-appropriate books
• 1 belt
• 1 sweatshirt
• 1 duffle bag

In addition:

Uniform children received:

• 2 pairs of navy or khaki pants, jumpers, or skorts
• 2 uniform shirts

Non-uniform children received:

• 2 pairs of navy or khaki pants
• 1 t-shirt and 1 collared shirt

Note: Uniforms are provided when required by the schools.

We purchase new clothing and supplies from the Off Price Apparel and Magic Apparel Shows, local retailers, and through National Assistance League's vendor list at discounted prices. Clothing and supplies are procured at a cost of approximately $110 to $115 per child. Shoes and socks are provided at a cost of approximately $24 per child.

One mother told us: Operation School Bell really helped at a time when her family was having a lot of personal difficulties and the duffle bag full of clothing and supplies her son brought home was “everything a child needed to succeed.” Being a single parent made it hard to meet the uniform dress code and her son was so excited to show her everything he had received at Operation School Bell.

Funds to support Operation School Bell and our four other philanthropic programs are raised through private gifts, grants, donations and fundraising events. Assistance League is especially grateful for the sustaining support of several foundations and businesses, including: The MCR Charitable Foundation, Inc., for funding the duffle bags for the past several years; The Clowes Fund, Inc., for funding a multi-year grant; the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust; and many others for their financial support to Operation School Bell. Donations from these businesses and foundations have enabled the continued growth of Operation School Bell.

Letters from children who visited Operation School Bell:

View a short video about Operation School Bell.

Shoes: A Division of Operation School Bell

This division of Operation School Bell provides new athletic shoes and socks for disadvantaged elementary and middle school children from Indianapolis Public Schools and the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, and Washington Townships. Over 17,800 new athletic shoes have been distributed since the program's inception in the year 2000. New athletic shoes and socks are purchased from a local shoe retailer at a cost of approximately $23.

During the past school year, the Shoes Division gave new athletic footwear and socks to 2,542 economically disadvantaged students from IPS and MSD of Lawrence, Pike, Warren and Washington Townships. In October of 2008, new shoes were distributed to the four townships’ schools and in February of 2009, the IPS shoe distribution took place. Each child received two pairs of socks along with their new athletic shoes. For the 2007-2008 school year, the goal for Shoes: A Division of Operation School Bell was to supply 2,570 underserved children with new footwear.

Through a partnership with Kroger Co., their employees and especially a financial donation from the Moeder family the Shoes Division was able to provide every student from IPS school 46, with new dress code approved athletic shoes and socks. This partnership made it possible for 324 underprivileged children to receive new athletic footwear.

"As we looked for an existing program to help meet a common need for the children, Assistance League came very highly recommended by other non-profit organizations we work with in the community. After seeing the program's impact in its first year at School 46, I went home and enthusiastically shared details with [my wife]. We decided to fly our son back to Indianapolis and the three of us would personally donate shoes to every student at School 46. [We] were very proud watching [our son] talking to the students, putting new shoes on their feet and reminding each of those children that someone cares about them. This may be the happiest Christmas we've ever celebrated together and the greatest gift we've ever given each other."  Bob Moeder, President of Kroger Co., Central Division

 If your family, businesses or organization would be interested in a joint venture with Assistance League to adopt underserved students at a neglected school, please contact us at Philanthropic@alindy.org. Assistance League hopes to continue and develop additional cooperative relationships with others in our community.

In October 2008 and February 2009, Assistance League volunteers coordinated the program with school personnel. Shoes are purchased from a local shoe retailer at a discounted price. Assistance League members volunteer along with employees from the shoe retailer to assure a proper fit for each child.

Reported stories from Assistance League volunteers:

School personnel who referred the children are overwhelmingly supportive of this program. Many of them have written to us to convey their appreciation and tell of the difference a new pair of shoes can make in a young life. According to three of these social workers:

View a short video about Shoes: A Division Operation School Bell.