Assistance League® Chapters Clothe More Than 300,000 Children In Operation School Bell® Program Last Year

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Assistance League, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with 120 chapters nationally, announced today that its chapters raised funds and clothed 318,134 children last year as part of its Operation School Bell^® program.

Operation School Bell^® has been the signature philanthropic program of Assistance League for decades and all total well over a million children have benefitted from chapters' raising funds and purchasing new clothing for children in need.

"Assistance League launched Operation School Bell^® to respond to the unfortunate reality that thousands of children lack adequate clothing and shoes for school," Anita Friesen, National Assistance League president said.  "We hear from school administrators and teachers – across the country, every year -- that new clothing allows children to attend school in dignity, raises their self-esteem and many actually do better in their classes."

Some Assistance League chapters augment clothing with school supplies and backpacks so that all students feel a sense of pride when they return to school from summer and winter break.

One parent in Atlanta, whose child is an Operation School Bell^® participant, stated:  "The clothing you gave us has made such a difference in my child's attitude toward school. He participates more in class and has even wanted to join some of the after school sports and activities.  It has changed our life!"

A teacher in the same school commented: "As a teacher I have seen a dramatic change in absenteeism because of your Operation School Bell assistance.  Through your help, (absenteeism) has gone down."    

National Assistance League is part of the first wave of nonprofit organizations in America that empowered ordinary citizens to evoke positive change in their communities through long-term volunteerism. Formed in 1935, the organization's roots date back to the turn of the century when a charity-minded group of Los Angeles women used their time and resources to help people in need. Today, 23,000 volunteers at 120 chapters nationwide serve 1.5 million people annually by raising more than $57 million to fund a wide-range of community-based programs. Assistance League's signature program, Operation School Bell^®, helps children succeed in school by providing new clothing, health assistance, and literacy, cultural and higher educational enrichment. For more information, visit www.AssistanceLeague.org.

SOURCE National Assistance League

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