Assistance League CEO Aimee Runyon poses in front of the Delivering Dreams Bus mobile unit of Operation School Bell, which is the signature program of Assistance League of Phoenix, serving over 8,500 students each school year.
The donation from Thunderbirds Charities will help purchase clothing/shoes to fill the Delivering Dreams Buses.
Thunderbirds Charities recently awarded the Assistance League of Phoenix a $60,000 grant to support their Operation School Bell® program.
The Delivering Dreams Bus is the mobile unit of Operation School Bell, which is the signature program of Assistance League of Phoenix, and serves over 8,500 students each school year through the bus and the satellite dressing center located in Sunnyslope, according to a press release.
“This has been a very challenging year for so many nonprofits,” said Aimee Runyon, chief executive officer, Assistance League of Phoenix, in a prepared statement.
“We are so appreciative of Thunderbirds Charities generous donation. It will help us buy new shoes and clothing to fill our buses. We have been working hard to serve children any way possible during this pandemic. We know many families are counting on us to help outfit their children in the new year.”
Assistance League of Phoenix has three Delivering Dreams Buses sponsored by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Rotary 100/BHHS Legacy Foundation and Fiesta Bowl Charities/BHHS Legacy Foundation.
The donation from Thunderbirds Charities will help purchase clothing/shoes to fill these buses, the release said.
Typically, Assistance League of Phoenix partners with more than 90 Title I schools throughout the year, the release said, adding that each school can select up to 100 children who qualify for the program (students on the free or reduced lunch program).
Once on board the Delivering Dream Bus, students work with volunteers to select correct sizes.
Each student receives a bundle of items valued at approximately $200-250 and includes two bottoms, three tops, six pair of socks, six underwear, a sweatshirt, belt, a pair of shoes, and a personalized health kit full of hygiene items, the release added.
“We’re pleased to be able to fund Assistance League of Phoenix’s work in the community,” said Tim Woods, Thunderbirds Charities president, in a prepared statement.
“They are making a difference in the lives of so many children. We applaud their efforts and wish them success in the coming year.”
