{"id":17946,"date":"2025-12-13T12:19:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T20:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/?page_id=17946"},"modified":"2026-03-01T16:52:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T00:52:07","slug":"operation-school-bell","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/philanthropic-programs\/operation-school-bell\/","title":{"rendered":"Operation School Bell"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3336″ alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Growing Impact: Over 11,000 K-12 Students Clothed Since 2008!” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1765666422480{padding-left: -2px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”18020,17969,17968,17962″ img_size=”300×200″ css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”1,126 Students Served” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd3333″ google_fonts=”font_family:Satisfy%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”in 2025″ font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd3333″ google_fonts=”font_family:Satisfy%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1765662724604{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

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When children don’t have adequate clothing, their confidence can suffer — and they are more likely to miss school.\u00a0 Operation School Bell<\/span>\u00ae\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup><\/span>is here to help change that.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Every Fall, the El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE), counselors and community partners work to identify K-12 students who would benefit from attending one of our Operation School Bell\u00ae<\/sup> shopping events.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Students in K-5 receive a shopping voucher for $80, grades 6-8: $100, and grades 9-12: $125.
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The children leave with new school clothes, a grade-level book, big smiles, and renewed confidence to be at school with their peers.<\/span><\/span><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”703 Volunteer Hours” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd3333″ google_fonts=”font_family:Satisfy%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Our volunteers and community partners help to make sure that every Operation School Bell\u00ae<\/sup> shopping event is both welcoming and fun for each child.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We could not provide this heart-warming opportunity without the support of our members and the community.\u00a0 In 2025, 39 member volunteers and 19 community volunteers dedicated over 700 hours to our events.<\/span><\/span><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”17976,17975,17966,17964″ img_size=”300X200″ css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”El Dorado County Office of Education & our Community Partners are the BEST!” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”17984″ img_size=”300×250″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black” css=””][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”17983″ img_size=”300×250″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”17982″ img_size=”300×250″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Making the Difference in El Dorado County Schools” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd3333″ google_fonts=”font_family:Satisfy%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

In 2005, Operation School Bell<\/span>\u00ae <\/sup><\/span>served 59 schools across El Dorado County.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We are grateful to Placerville Walmart who has hosted our program for several years.\u00a0 This year, students from 8 South Lake Tahoe schools were able to shop in-person at the newly opened Target, bringing loads of enthusiasm and gratitude from families in need.\u00a0 Additionally, our partnership with the Lake Tahoe Kiwanis Club provided winter coats and socks for each child.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Operation School Bell<\/span>\u00ae <\/sup><\/span>believes that every child deserves the chance to learn, to be seen and to feel confident.\u00a0 When kids feel proud of their clothing, they are more likely to show up to school, engage in learning, and build toward a brighter future.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Testimonials” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd3333″ google_fonts=”font_family:Satisfy%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_tta_accordion color=”blue” autoplay=”20″ active_section=”1″ no_fill=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Thank You, Thank You” tab_id=”1488569774138-6be03b4a-a2a0″][vc_column_text]I am an 8th grader at South Lake Tahoe Middle School. \u00a0I am currently in a group home in Tahoe and was able to participate in the Operation School Bell Program. \u00a0I sincerely appreciate the opportunity that your organization gave me to find some new clothing. \u00a0I do not receive a clothing allowance, and though I have gotten a few new clothes from the group home, the money I received today really, really helped. \u00a0Especially with fall around the corner! \u00a0~ Name withheld<\/em><\/p>\n

.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Teachers Know First Hand” tab_id=”1488569774186-df687c6f-e756″][vc_column_text]In today\u2019s economy, there is such a great need for programs like this.\u00a0 One student thanked me profusely for the new clothes she had gotten.\u00a0 She shared that her mother had not been able to buy her anything new for school this year and that she was wearing used clothing that someone had given her.\u00a0\u00a0 ~ JoAnn Hernandez, Counselor South Lake Tahoe Middle School<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Our Hearts Swell” tab_id=”1488569875358-908a6856-299e”][vc_column_text]When asked why he had two pairs of shoes in his shopping cart, the middle school boy said he had been wearing his Aunt\u2019s shoes for the last two years.\u00a0 His feet were sticking over the backs of the shoes.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Feels Very Special” tab_id=”1488569927820-a6bb294c-fd08″][vc_column_text]I am sending a big thank you on behalf of my nephew, from Pleasant Grove Middle School. \u00a0He participated in Operation School Bell shopping at Target and was beyond happy. \u00a0He picked out a lot of nice clothes and then was so surprised with the haircut certificate and book at the end. \u00a0It made him feel very, very special. \u00a0He lost his Mom to cancer 2.5 years ago, so every act of kindness is a real blessing to him. \u00a0Thank You again! \u00a0 \u00a0 ~ Name withheld<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Grateful Students” tab_id=”1488569976382-92a88fb7-e42a”][vc_column_text]Dick Williams, Superintendent and Principal of Mountain Creek Middle School shared comments from his students:\u00a0 <\/em>\u201cThis was so cool.\u00a0 I really needed a new jacket and didn\u2019t have one before\u201d. \u201cI got new shoes, this shirt, these cool pants and a sweater!\u00a0 My old shoes had holes in the bottom so now I won\u2019t have shoes that leak when it rains!\u201d. \u201cI have never had a flannel shirt before, now I have two!\u201d.\u00a0 You can see this was a very meaningful event for kids in real need.\u00a0 They were so happy to get things that most others simply take for granted.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Cynthia Lowery, Operation School Bell Chairman<\/strong><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Contact Us” color=”black” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.assistanceleague.org%2Fsierra-foothills%2Fcontact-us%2F”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Every $100 will help clothe a child with school clothes, shoes or coats.<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Donate Now” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.assistanceleague.org%2Fsierra-foothills%2Fdonate-now%2F|||”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3336″ alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Growing Impact: Over 11,000 K-12 Students Clothed Since 2008!” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%231e73be” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1765666422480{padding-left: -2px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”18020,17969,17968,17962″ img_size=”300×200″ css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”1,126 Students Served” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd3333″ google_fonts=”font_family:Satisfy%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=””][vc_custom_heading text=”in 2025″ font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23dd3333″ google_fonts=”font_family:Satisfy%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1765662724604{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”] When children don’t have adequate clothing, their confidence can suffer — and they are more likely […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3269,"featured_media":0,"parent":980,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17946","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3269"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17946"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18067,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17946\/revisions\/18067"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/sierra-foothills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}