Dear Friends, I am inviting you to join us in making a meaningful impact on students heading back to school this fall. Your gift to the Operation School Bell® program will assist in providing essential items such as school clothing, shoes, and books. Best of all, every dollar donated benefits children in our local school districts who have been referred by the school social workers. When Operation School Bell was launched 41 years ago, we provided school apparel to 26 students. Today, the program has evolved both in terms of the number of students we reach and the services we provide. During our 2024-25 fiscal year, member volunteers of Assistance League® of Indianapolis devoted over 25,000 volunteer service hours to support our four philanthropic programs, the largest of which is Operation School Bell. Together we can help every child served through Operation School Bell walk into the classroom with a sense of hope, dignity, and opportunity. With gratitude, Trish Severns President Operation School Bell®
Far too many children in our area begin the school year without the basic items they need – school clothing, shoes, supplies, and reading books. These are not luxuries, but essentials that give students the confidence and tools to succeed in the classroom. Operation School Bell is dedicated to supporting children who are economically challenged by providing them with items they need to start school prepared and proud. Students (PreK-5th grade) attending Indianapolis Public Schools, and the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, Washington and Wayne Townships are identified and referred to participate in Operation School Bell. Operation School Bell - Apparel 2025-26 Goal: help 3,400 children Through our “Pack & Deliver” method, each child receives a duffel bag that is packed with new clothes including: a winter coat, hat, and gloves, two pairs of pants, two shirts, six pairs underwear, six pairs of socks and one toothbrush. You can help prepare a child for school for a donation of $100. Since 1984, over 77,000 children have benefited from this program. Operation School Bell - Beyond The Bell 2025-26 Goal: help 2,000 children Beyond The Bell provides an inventory of school clothing consisting of pants, shirts, underwear and socks for distribution by school personnel to students on an immediate emergency basis. The goal is to keep students from missing valuable classroom time due to clothing issues. Since 2012, nearly 111,000 items have been delivered to participating schools. Operation School Bell - Shoes 2025-26 Goal: help 2,300 children Each child receives new athletic shoes professionally fitted based on sizes from shoe measuring devices used by school personnel. For a donation of $50 you can give a child a new pair of shoes. Since 2000, over 60,000 children have received shoes. Operation School Bell - Reading Buddies 2025-26 Goal: read to 15 classes/semester Our newest division offers “Reading Buddies” to 1st grade classes. The mission is to share our joy of reading while helping to support the statewide literacy goals and literacy rates in the early years. The books are carefully chosen and our members are trained to read and discuss the books with the children consistent with the state’s standards for Language Arts. During the 2024-25 school year, an estimated 350 first grade students attending four elementary schools participated. Close to 1,200 books were given away as each teacher received a copy of the books read for the classroom library and each child selected reading books to keep and share with their families. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a real difference. Please consider donating to be a vital part of caring in our community!
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Donor Recognition Policy
Assistance League of Indianapolis may wish to publish donor names grouped by value of the donation in community publications. If you prefer to remain anonymous for this donation, please contact the organization HERE.
Assistance League of Indianapolis may wish to publish donor names grouped by value of the donation in community publications. If you prefer to remain anonymous for this donation, please contact the organization HERE.