Philanthropic Programs

Assistance League has been lending a hand in our community since 1968. During this time, our membership has developed and maintained five philanthropic programs that support and nurture children and adults in Benton County.

Operation School Bell^®

Operation School Bell provides new clothing to eligible Benton County school children to encourage attendance and increase self-esteem. Each student receives a warm jacket, shoes, jeans, shirts, sweats, socks, underwear, a personal grooming kit and other supplies as needed. Recipients are referred to the program by school personnel and other agencies. In 2009, we also began providing paper products, feminine hygiene supplies, head lice shampoo, and other related items to families who need them through a program called Hygiene Help.

Operation School Bell has become the signature philanthropic program of Assistance League across the nation. Operation School Bell became our first program when our chapter was established in 1968. We are proud to have clothed over 18,000 Benton County school children since then.

HYGIENE HELP

Students who look and smell clean are more confident, perform better academically, and have a higher attendance rate in school, according to several studies. Low-income families, though they may be given Oregon SNAP food stamps, are restricted from using them on hygiene and household products.

In 2009, our Hygiene Help program came to the rescue. We have established hygiene closets in all schools in the Corvallis, Monroe, Alsea and Philomath school districts.

Each closet is brimming with hygiene supplies such as: laundry detergent, lice spray, deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, hair brushes, feminine napkins and dish soap. Throughout the year, school personnel will notify us when additional supplies are needed.

RED

RED, or Read Every Day, is under the umbrella of Operation School Bell. Our goal is to collect/purchase books to give to new K-6 teachers throughout Benton County for their classroom libraries. These books will offer an opportunity for children who have finished their assignments to pick up a good book and enjoy some silent reading. On average we deliver over 1400 books to approximately 40 new teachers.

Dental Education

In addition to receiving their own dental hygiene kits, sixth-grade students will watch the award-winning video, The Power of Healthy Teeth, which was created by the Dental Education committee.

Hug-A-Bear

Hug-a-Bear program provides an ongoing supply of teddy bears to local police, fire departments, and other Benton County agencies, as well as the Oregon State Police. These brand-new bears are given to comfort children and adults in traumatic situations.

Jackson Street Youth Services Partnership

The Jackson Street Youth Services Partnership provides needed items for vulnerable young adults in Benton County.  Clients will receive a storage bin with many useful items including towels, blankets, sheets, table lamp, and more.

Additionally, Assistance League of Corvallis provides new undergarments for the homeless youth that Jackson Street serves.