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Assistance League of Indianapolis has been proudly “showing off” Operation School Bell to several visitors this January. By the end of the month, close to 3,400 qualifying students from IPS and the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, and Washington will have been served by this philanthropic program during its 2014-15 season. Under the direction of Chairman Sherri Torres and Vice Chairman Barb Mohr, each visiting child receives new clothes and supplies that enable them to attend school in warm attire and give them a greater chance of achieving academic success.  Marjorie Wilkerson, Director of the Margaret Cole Russell Foundation (MCR), dropped in to see firsthand the positive impact of the duffel bags. The MCR Foundation has given an annual grant since 2004 to fund the purchase of the duffel bags for each student participating in Operation School Bell. The duffel bag is packed with a new coat, new school clothes, and supplies that each child selects during their one-on-one personal shopping experience. Feedback from not only the children, but also their parents, has expressed gratitude for the ample and sturdy duffel bags.  Another guest was Casey Collins, Community Outreach Manager of Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IMM). IMM recently donated 2,000 warm and cozy hats to the organization. Besides being distributed with the new clothes from Operation School Bell, the hats will also be given out at Second Semester Shoes; A Division of Operation School Bell.  Margaret Sheehan, Director of Teachers' Treasures was impressed by a past visit and returned again. Teacher’s Treasures just recently donated three pallets of miscellaneous school supplies to be distributed during Operation School Bell 2015-2016. Robert Shula, Director of IPS Education Foundation, accompanied Ms. Sheehan for his initial visit to the Operation School Bell Shop.  John Elliott, Manager, Public Affairs & Media Spokesman for Kroger Corporation Central Division, also visited the School Bell Shop for the first time. Kroger and Assistance League of Indianapolis have partnered on Kroger Shoe Day at IPS 346 since the 2007-2008 school year. Over the years, employees and the management of Kroger have provided a donation to fund the cost of a new pair of shoes and two pairs of socks for each student attending IPS 346. Through our Shoes Program, Assistance League member volunteers facilitate the event. Assistance League of Indianapolis is grateful to the foundations, corporations, businesses, other philanthropic organizations, and individual donors that support our philanthropic programs allowing us to fulfill our mission of caring and commitment to benefit the adults and children in the Indianapolis area.
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