Operation School Bell®, the largest of Assistance League® of Indianapolis’ philanthropic programs has been recognized by Mayor Greg Ballard with a Mayoral Proclamation naming this week, September 14th - 20th as Operation School Bell Week. This distinguished award acknowledges the 31st consecutive year that the program has helped children in the Indianapolis community and for expanding the Program to support clothing needs in the school setting through Beyond the Bell.
The Assistance League of Indianapolis was established in 1984 and is an all member-volunteer nonprofit organization. The organization manages several philanthropic programs throughout Indianapolis and central Indiana, including their largest program, Operation School Bell®. Operation School Bell provides students living in poverty an opportunity to remove some of the barriers that block their way to academic success. This program provides new clothing and school supplies to qualifying elementary school students from Indianapolis Public Schools and the surrounding Indianapolis area townships of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, and Washington. Shoes: A Division of Operation School Bell supplies new athletic shoes and socks to students identified by social workers in all IPS elementary schools as well as the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, Washington, and Wayne Townships. Beyond the Bell: A Division of Operation School Bell provides bags of new school clothing to all IPS elementary schools served by Operation School Bell. It meets the need of students who are homeless, displaced or new to their school and are not otherwise served by Operation School Bell. Other philanthropic programs of Assistance League of Indianapolis include ALI Bears which provides teddy bears to hospitals, hospice centers, and abuse management agencies; ALI Friends which provide companionship and activities for seniors and disabled adults at Joy’s House and North Capitol Rehabilitation/Nursing Home; and Assault Survivor Kits® which provide new clothing for victims of assault to wear when their clothing is retained as evidence of the crime. 
Although preparations never really stop during the summer months, the Operation School Bell® shop officially opened its doors for set up on Monday, August 11. Assistance League® of Indianapolis member volunteers were busily stocking shelves and doing many tasks to ensure everything will be ready when opening day arrives on August 18.
It is expected that 3,400 under-served Indianapolis area students will participate in Operation School Bell during its 2014 – 2015 season. These children will be identified by elementary school social workers in the Indianapolis Public Schools and the surrounding Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren and Washington Townships. Besides cleaning the shop, workers put bar codes on items, entered inventory into the computerized system, and stocked the shelves. Each student visiting Operation School Bell receives new clothing and supplies valued at an average of $115 including a duffle bag, two uniform outfits, a belt, socks, underwear, winter coat, hat/scarf/glove set, two books, hygiene kit, and school supplies. Students who are served by this program enjoy the quality attention they receive during their one-to-one “shopping” experience with an Assistance League member volunteer. Receiving new clothes and supplies boosts confidence, attendance, and academic achievement. To donate to Operation School Bell, Click Here.
The 2014 Star Gala, Wish Upon a Star, will not only be an entertaining evening for all attending, but also a shining opportunity to enable Assistance League of Indianapolis to continue its caring and commitment to its philanthropic programs. It's not too late to make a reservation. Go to: www.stargala.alindy.org
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