Operation School Bell – Assistance League – Hawaii

View: A Pebble in the Pond

alh@macprohawaii.net — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 20:21:50 +0000

A Pebble in the Pond is a timely, timeless look at a modern story with deep roots: In the 1890’s a dynamic and innovative woman named Anne Banning formed the Assistance League and did local charitable work that focused on children. The documentary tells Anne’s story and traces the history of the Assistance League from its humble beginnings to a call to action following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake; through Red Cross innovations and two World Wars and more.

The film explores Assistance League’s signature program, Operation School Bell, which provides clothing, backpacks, books, and basic necessities to children who are a part of the foster system, low income, or homeless. It showcases amazing individuals quietly donating their time and talents to help others. Some of the spotlighted people include those who were once helped and now themselves giving back.

Today, the Assistance League’s 120 chapters across the country continue to change the lives of children and adults, and shows that in a still pond, even the smallest pebble can create huge and far reaching ripples.

A Pebble in the Pond was produced by FreeStyle Digital Media in 2022. It was written and directed by Paul Howard and features Ann Benson, Karis Campbell and Abby Shayne. The film streams for free with ads on TUBI TV or commercial free on Amazon Prime Video (subscription required).

Be The Change You Wish to Be In The World

technology archive — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 20:40:51 +0000

Dear Assistance League of Hawaii Supporter,

As the new school year approaches, we are reminded of the importance of education and the many challenges facing families in need. That is why Assistance League of Hawaii is committed to providing support and resources to those who need it most.

During our Operation School Bell Donation Campaign, we are focusing on raising awareness and funds to help us continue our mission. With your help, we can provide school supplies and clothing to families in need across Hawaii.

Some of the ways you can help include:

Donate money or in-kind items to our thrift shop.
Volunteer your time to help sort and sell donated items.
Spread the word about our organization and our mission.

You can make your donation through our Right Gift donation page accessible through the link below:

DONATE NOW TO ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF HAWAII (Right Gift)

Your donation, whether it’s monetary or in-kind, can help us assist those in need.

Mahalo for your support!

Nancy Sparacino

President, Assistance League of Hawaii

BYU-Hawaii Museum of Natural History Donates Biofacts to Assistance League of Hawaii

technology archive — Mon, 15 May 2023 20:02:40 +0000

Three Operation Wildlife (OWL) member volunteers, Betty Parinas, Linda Andersen, and Hazel Sumile took a road trip out to Brigham Young University-Hawaii Campus on the North Shore community of Laie to visit the BYU-Hawaii Museum of Natural History. They met with the museum’s curator, Dr. Phillip Bruner, and obtained a few “gifts” from the school, which is dismantling its museum and the collection this summer.

The ladies were fascinated by the displays of all the “real” animals (the huge polar bear, brown bear, moose, small animals, birds and more) that have been taxidermied by various people and students, as well as by the Dr. Bruner himself. Betty Parinas was surprised by how many of the animals she had known back in the old OWL Zoo days.

Assistance League of Hawaii was gifted with two turtles that are in great condition, as well as a boxful of furs, feet, and other “stuff”! We sincerely thanked Dr. Bruner and his staff for providing Assistance League of Hawaii with such an opportunity to see this fabulous collection as well as to be entrusted with some of its specimens.

The newly-donated specimens will join our collection of biofacts that are used as part of Assistance League of Hawaii’s Operation Wildlife program and shared with 4th grade students around Hawaii during each school year.

A big mahalo to BYU-Hawaii for their generosity in sharing their priceless collection with us.

Betty Parinas & Dr. Phil Bruner

Galapagos Tortoise

Student "stares down" turtle biofact.

11,000 T-Shirts Donated to Hawaii’s School Children

technology archive — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 17:00:06 +0000

As of the end of January 2023, Operation School Bell® has provided 11,000 T-shirts to our schools and students, 51% of qualified schools have been served. We have completed calls to the rest of the 56 schools with reminders to order as soon as possible. The schools are really excited that we’re doing this again this year.

Operation School Bell is Assistance League’s signature program. We have been serving Hawaii Keiki for almost 52 years!

Interested in helping kids in Hawaii? We offer many ways to do this with clothes, tutoring and running an elementary school library! Contact us to learn more:

Assistance League of Hawaii | Operation School Bell

Assistance League of Hawaii member volunteers prepare “Kokua Boxes” to help our students at qualified schools.

Member Volunteers deliver Kokua box to Nanakuli High & Intermediate School

Operation School Bell: Making a Difference

technology archive — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 20:57:22 +0000

Operation School Bell® member volunteers delivered Kokua Boxes and refills to a number of public schools with students in need around Hawaii. More deliveries will be or have been made to Oahu schools upon reopening after the Holiday Break. There are requests for refills from Molokai (Kaunakakai Elementary) for larger shorts and the Big Island (Pahoa Elementary) for a complete reorder with more slippers!

Pu’uhale Library, as part of Operation School Bell’s Literacy Program, continues to provide library services to many students. Our volunteers, including Carol Hasegawa, Hazel Sumile, Linda Andersen, Joan Helbling, Gloria McGehee-Koel, Jaye Devendra, and Helen Taufa’asau, all work together to conduct library services for 260 students in Grades K-5, with weekly class visits on Tuesdays (8 classes) and Thursdays (6 classes). There are an average of 15-25 students in each class, many of whom are second language learners.

The typical day begins with the first class visit at 9 a.m. and ends with the last class visit at 1 p.m. (There is a lunch break.) Some volunteers read books, do storytelling and give book talks. Other volunteers check books in and out of the library, shelve books and process new and cancelled books. The students enjoy listening to stories and often request to borrow the specific titles the readers have introduced. Teachers also request specific types of materials for their class use.

Books keep us busy. It is rewarding to see the students’ excitement and reactions to new information. We are always looking for new member volunteers!

This post was compiled from an entry made in our January 2023 member newsletter.

Honolulu Office of Merrill Lynch Donates Items for Operation School Bell

technology archive — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 03:00:51 +0000

Chinli Sun, Karen and Rick Handy from the Honolulu office of Merrill Lynch delivered 2 boxes of children’s underwear and 3 boxes of children’s slippers to our Assistance League of Hawaii Thrift Shop on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

Approximately 50 employees from the Honolulu office of Merrill Lynch take part in quarterly community outreach projects, and they decided the Operation School Bell’s Kokua Clothing Boxes were worthy of their efforts.

Chinli, Karen and Rick were given a tour of our facility and photos were taken of the group with Operation School Bell Chair Laurelyn Berger, Vice President and Kokua Clothing Box Coordinator Mary Monohon, Finance Chair Margie Van Swearingen, and President Nancy Sparacino.

Thank You Operation School Bell

technology archive — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 16:59:28 +0000

Our last in-store Operation School Bell^® event at Target last month was a success! Assistance League of Hawaii is in the process of completing all the orders for t-shirts at our 23 “Title 1” schools.

One of our many thank you notes came from Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School and I thought you might like to read what the principal wrote:

“Thank you for embracing our school and for supporting us for many years. Likewise, we will continue to support your organization by making donations to your Thrift Shop which generates the funds that allow you do do the wonderful work that you do. Please know that the hard work and effort of your members make a difference in the lives that you touch.”

This year we have found success at both Target and WalMart stores with our series of shopping donations for some of Hawaii’s children. Assistance League of Hawaii will be back next school year to do it all over again.

A Successful Day for Operation School Bell

technology archive — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 19:26:24 +0000

The first Operation School Bell^® event for the new academic year was held at the Keeaumoku Street Walmart Store on Saturday, September 15. Assistance League of Hawaii clothed 172 children from Kalihi, Kalihi Waena, Ka’ewai elementary schools and Central Middle. They picked up some great looking clothes and shoes that they can be proud to wear to school. Hopefully, it will help them succeed in school.

Assistance League of Hawaii thanks all of the schools, students, parents, faculty, staff as well as our member volunteers in helping make this a successful event.

We are always looking for new members and volunteers to help us with our programs. Learn more and join us!