Operation School Bell® | Assistance League

Providing clothing to in need students in Whatcom County

We provide new school clothes to kids in need

Assistance League of Bellingham is best known for its signature program, Operation School Bell, which provides new school clothing to students in need in grades K through 12 in all eight Whatcom County schools: Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Mt. Baker, Nooksack Valley and Lummi Nation. Each district is allotted a specific number of “slots” based on enrollment percentage of low income and homeless families. The school district liaison coordinators, who work with low income and homeless families, select the students who participate in Operation School Bell.

We have partnered with Bellis Fair JCPenney to allow students and their families to shop together according to their own schedule. Each approved student receives a $125 gift card to purchase their school appropriate clothing. Any balance left on a gift card is returned to Operation School Bell by JCPenney to provide additional funds to be used for helping more students. We have a hard working team of school coordinators, JCPenney employees and Assistance League of Bellingham volunteers who consider it a privilege to help so many students in need and we all work together to make this happen.

15.5%

of eligible students were assisted (we want to serve more!)

$125

needed to clothe one student in grade K-12

2130

students clothed in Whatcom County

No matter how big or small, your donations help kids succeed

Donate Now

Kids are given the confidence they need to succeed

New clothing has the power to elevate self-esteem, encourage school attendance, and improve academic performance. We are providing far more than just a new wardrobe—we are empowering young students to reach their full potential.

What's happening in your community

Operation School Bell: Local Volunteers and JCPenney Team Up for Students

When the community and a nonprofit work together, great things happen. As local schools face budget cuts and families struggle, it is inspiring to see this partnership in action. Assistance League of Bellingham’s Operation School Bell program is providing more than 2,000 gift cards this year to students in eight Whatcom County school districts, giving […]

Operation School Bell Sign-up at Districtwide Back-to-School Family Block Party

On Saturday, August 23, Bellingham Public Schools hosted the annual BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAMILY BLOCK PARTY, a resource fair for all district families. School and community partnered tables provided important resources for starting the school year. The community event included signups for Operation School Bell, a program of Assistance League of Bellingham that provides new school clothes […]

Assistance League of Bellingham’s 2025 Sock Drive a Success!

Assistance League of Bellingham is very thankful for the generous donations by our customers and member volunteers to our Sock Drive. For the two weeks of our Sock Drive, from Jan. 29th – Feb. 8th, we were grateful to daily watch our large trunk fill with socks of all colors and sizes. The final day […]