School can be hard. Assistance League Glendale strives to make it a little easier on children that may be struggling and are in need. Through Operation School Bell®, we provide these children with new clothing, a voucher for new shoes, a hygiene kit and, more importantly, confidence.

For many children, this may be the first time they have their own sweater, a new toothbrush or shoes without holes. These essentials truly help children feel like they fit in with their classmates.

The children we assist are referred by school personnel throughout all of Glendale Unified School District. Our Auxiliary, Las Caritas, among a multitude of other activities, creates the hygiene kits for each child distributed by the Operation School Bell philanthropy. The kit contains shampoo, soap, a washcloth, toothbrush and toothpaste as well as a hairbrush.

After each student has finished trying on the clothing they get to keep, they are able to pick out a book. Books are available by grade levels to help encourage reading at their level. They always light up when they get to choose for themselves.

Three sets of clothing including shirts and pants or skirts and rompers for girls, a sweater, socks, underwear and hygiene kit go into this reusable sack, blue for boys and red for girls. The students carry these bags out with pride.