Operation School Bell®

Operation School Bell provides elementary and middle school students a shopping experience for brand new clothing. The children leave with a huge bag of new clothes, new toiletries, wide grins and a renewed sense of confidence.

Washoe County School District personnel identify the students at the individual schools and submit the list to the Operation School Bell committee. Students attend a scheduled shopping event with their parents or guardians at the retail store closest to the school. The event happens after school so the students do not miss valuable school time. When students check in, they receive a wristband and a list of appropriate items to purchase. Assistance League member volunteers work at the event, assisting at check in, adding up merchandise, and helping with check out and bagging. At the checkout stand, students receive an Essentials kit.  FYE 2021-2022 purchased new clothing and school uniform shirts for approx. 15,000 WCSD students.

shopping at Target
girl holding sweatshirt

In FY 2019-2020, Operation School Bell purchased new clothing and school uniform shirts for 14.798 Washoe County School District students.  In partnership with both Target and Walmart stores, students and their parents were able to shop and have their school purchases paid for by the Assistance League.

In FY 2020-21, Operation School Bell helped purchase over 400 laptop computers to loan to students that needed connectivity for remote learning. Operation School Bell also purchased uniform shirts for schools and supplied clothing for clothes closets in the schools.

Now, in FY 2021-22, Operation School Bell is back to shopping with students and their parents at local Target and Walmart stores.

Please help us dress our children for a quality educational experience.

Note: Your online payment — by credit card or from an existing PayPal account — is processed securely with PayPal. You may change “quantity” to have your donation dress more than one child.

boy with shoes