Operation School Bell®
Operation School Bell began nearly fifty years ago as a one-woman effort to provide clothing to disadvantaged children; it is now the signature national philanthropic program for Assistance League.
- Ruth Ann Montgomery, a school-teacher in the Los Angeles school district, saw children from one family coming to school on a rotating basis. She discovered that the children came to school based on whose turn it was to wear the clothes that day.
- Castoffs were gathered from friends and family and "Clothes Closet" opened in Ruth Ann Montgomery's classroom, giving out clothing to children so they all could attend school on a regular basis.
- Ruth Ann Montgomery moved to Bakersfield, CA., and the Volunteer Service Guild was established to promote the mission of outfitting school children whose parents couldn't afford to buy them the clothes they needed.
- Teachers, school nurses and counselors referred children who came in growing numbers.
- Volunteer Service Guild became a chapter of Assistance League in 1958 and took the program name Operation School Bell.
- In 1997 Operation School Bell was adopted as the national philanthropic program for Assistance League chapters.
- Operation School Bell has provided new clothing, including jackets and shoes, to over one million school children.
- Volunteers fit each child and help them select clothing; for many children these are the first clothes that belong solely to them.
- Uniforms are provided in school districts where this is a requirement.
- Operation School Bell is the signature philanthropic program for 117 chapters and guilds across the United States with combined annual budgets totaling more than 9.5 million dollars for this program.
- 2005/2006 - Hurricane Katrina Operation School Bell Relief Fund started in response to the disaster. Chapters have reported providing direct service to more than 7,500 children displaced by the hurricane. Through Operation School Bell, these children received new clothing, shoes, school supplies, personal care kits and even haircuts.
"Thank you for making Operation School Bell possible. I guess my favorite part is to get new clothes. This was a great idea, who thought of it? I think I felt like I wanted to jump up and down when I got my clothes. My favorite thing about shopping was trying them on. It was a pleasure to be here."
Bich N., a student from Indianapolis, IN
"Words cannot say thank you enough for all you have done for my son. It is people like you who really make a difference in people's lives. Thanks again and God bless you."
Dony and Jeremy S. from Sacramento, CA
"Without hesitation, I fully endorse and support the work of Operation School Bell. The program is based on the conviction that children perform better in school when they enjoy a positive self image. This program helps prepare students for school and gives them a positive starting point for learning and academic success."
Dr. Don Saul - Past Superintendent Lake Washington School District, Redmond, WA
"The excitement of the children could hardly be contained as they were fitted for their clothing and actually took ownership of their bag full of brand new goodies. It was truly a most incredible event to witness, one which I will never forget."
Sheila Artis, Counselor, Brockeett School, Atlanta, GA
Phone 818-846-3777 ~ Fax 818-846-3535