Reggie Zalewski of Macomb with 3rd grader Anton Harris who had just selected a new jacket for himself.
WARREN — The Lincoln Elementary School gymnasium was transformed into a department store the morning of Oct. 6 for the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s Operation School Bell.
Children’s clothes hung neatly on racks, winter coats were lined up in an organized fashion, and undergarments were on display.
Operation School Bell is a program in which the Assistance League sets up shop at local schools. Students then go shopping with their own personal shopper for a new winter coat, two shirts, underwear, socks, a winter hat, gloves, toiletries and a book. The students carry everything in their own duffel bag. All the items are brand-new and provided by the Assistance League.
Operation School Bell was designed to help families financially, and last Thursday the league members took about 500 Lincoln students shopping right at the school. Each student must have a permission slip, which includes their clothing sizes.
“It’s a good thing for our organization. We work together and then we get to see the kids enjoy the experience,” Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan Operation President Marjorie DiLiddo said. “The school has been very supportive. The kids have been great.”
“We’re just so thankful for all the Assistance League has done for the district,” VDPS Assistant Superintendent Piper Bognar said. “Operation School Bell is providing our students with clothing and supplies that will help them get throughout part of the winter and puts great smiles on their faces.”
Carol Murphy, the Assistant League’s vice president of philanthropic programs, was among the volunteers who took the Lincoln students shopping, including second-grader Amarion Travis.
“I just enjoy the kids,” Murphy said. “It’s so much fun.”
The pair first checked out the shirts.
“You get to pick two,” Murphy told Travis, while helping him find the right look. “Let’s get one long-sleeved and one short-sleeved. Let’s see if that is going to fit you. Let’s hold it up.”
Then it was time to find a winter coat.
“We’re going to get a hat and gloves to go with it,” Murphy said.
Travis quickly picked out a University of Michigan winter hat and some blue gloves to match. Before the shopping excursion was over, Travis picked out socks, underwear, a book and a bookmark, and a hygiene kit. He said his favorite item was his new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toothbrush.
“I think you like that hat a lot too, because you’re wearing it in the gym,” Murphy said, smiling.
Travis’ friend and classmate Jacob Kaczynski shopped with volunteer Doug Brock, whose wife, Maureen Brock, also is a league member. Kaczynski, whose new wardrobe included a winter hat of Michigan State University, said the experience was “good.”
“We were walking around the gym,” he said. “We got some clothes, some underwear, socks, gloves and a hat.”
Operation School Bell is held every fall. This year, the league will host the event at seven elementary schools in the tri-county area. It also will take students from four local middle schools to Kohl’s and J.C. Penney for shopping sprees. About 4,000 students in all will benefit from the program this year.
The Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan offers several charitable programs. The chapter was founded in 1993 and chartered as the 97th chapter of the National Assistance League three years later.
The nonprofit organization is funded in many ways, including from tributes and memorials, the ReSale Connection, special fundraising events, individuals and corporate grants. The ReSale Connection, located at 204 S. Main St. in downtown Rochester, sells high-quality merchandise and serves as the chapter’s main resource. Donations are welcome.
According to the organization’s website, www.semich.assistanceleague.org, the ReSale Connection hours are from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The store is closed Sundays and Mondays.
To make a contribution to the league or for more information, call (248) 656-0414.
