Operation School Bell is our signature program that began in 1987. This program provides new school clothing to students in need. Students are referred through the schools in the High Desert (TK – 12th grade) to attend one of our shopping events at Victor Valley’s retail stores. Volunteer members assist students in the selection of school-appropriate clothing.
We know that if properly clothed, and with a sense of pride in their appearance, students attend school with anticipation, improved attendance, higher academic performance, and enhanced interaction with peers and staff.
The Beginning — Operation School Bell began in 1987 providing new school clothes to 214 students. Over the years, children from kindergarten through sixth grade have come with their parents to the Assistance League of Victor Valley Operation School Bell office and received two complete sets of school clothes and a winter coat from caring member volunteers.
Result — Since the Operation School Bell program began, over 30,000 local children have received school clothing. We now average 1,400 students and 20 clothing events per year.
In 2023-2024 , we helped serve 1,253 students during 18 shopping events at Target and JCPenney’s. We had 18 clothing events. 764 students attended the JCPenney’s events at the Mall of Victor Valley.
This year the money each student received to spend on school appropriate clothing was increased by $25. Grades Pre K to 5th were given $125, and grades 7th to 12th were given $150.
Included in this year’s totals are the 75 coats we purchased and delivered to the most disadvantaged schools in the High Desert.
Operation School Bell participated in the Adelanto Elementary School District Fair in July, giving out shoes.
We also participated in the Apple Valley Unified School District “Day of the Child” in April.
Once again in September, Trinity Lutheran Church donated over 150 backpacks to Operation School Bell. We filled them with school supplies and distributed them to various schools throughout the Victor Valley.
Today — Students from grade K – 12 attend shopping events at local department stores where they choose their own school-appropriate clothing, with the help of their parents and Assistance League of Victor Valley member volunteers. Each of the 18 events in 2023-2024 required at least 10 volunteers to help families shop, verify the total of their purchases, and assist with checkout. Volunteers worked over 800 hours total during all events this year. Our Assisteens were also working hard volunteering their time assembling over 1,000 grooming kits that were given to the students receiving clothing at the events. Assisteens also worked at several clothing events alongside our Members!
Operation School Bell by the numbers –
$166,477 Spent
1253 Students
800 Volunteer Hours
Districts/Number of Schools involved – Total 81 Schools
- Adelanto Elementary School District – 14
- Apple Valley Unified School District – 13
- Helendale School District – 2
- Hesperia Unified School District – 23
- Lucerne Valley Unified School District – 2
- Oro Grande School District/Riverside Prep – 2
- Victor Elementary School District – 17
- Victor Valley Unified High School District – 8
The results of the 2024 Operation School Bell Outcomes survey of the local school staff partnering with Assistance League of Victor Valley’s Operation School Bell program, indicate that 62% of participating students demonstrated a positive change in classroom behavior, confidence and level of engagement with peers and/or school activities, and 23% of participating students demonstrated a significant positive change.
Operation School Bell resulted in an 85% positive impact on our students!
The goal of Operation School Bell is to help school age children succeed in school by providing new school clothing, health assistance, literacy programs, cultural and higher educational enrichment and to also address hunger problems. Assistance League of Victor Valley will continue to address all the five points of the star as shown in the Operation School Bell Star.
Future — Our goal is to continue providing school clothes to a larger number of K-12th grade students.
This is where our “Sock It To ‘Em” fundraising campaign invites you to be part of this great program. It takes $125 to $150 clothe one child. Your tax-deductible contribution, small or large, makes it possible.
Campaign Runs August 1st through December 31st!
National Assistance League Operation School Bell Award
At our Installation Luncheon on May 11th, the Apple Valley Unified School District Family Centers (at the District Office as well as at individual School Sites) were presented with the National Assistance League Operation School Bell Award. Present to accept the award form Operation School Bell Chairman, Sandi Maberry, and our President Kathie Bordonaro were:
Trenae Nelson – AVUSD Superintendent
Mariana Torres -Director of Equity and Access
Aurora Martinez – ESC Family Center Coordinator
Cindy Carasa-Phoenix Academy Family Center Coordinator
Veronica Gonzalez-Phoenix Academy Counselor (Previous FCC)
Zayra Hall-Granite Hills High School Family Center Coordinator
Karina Ramirez-Equity and Access Secretary (Previous FCC at YL)
Perla Rios-Yucca Loma Family Center Coordinator
Jacqueline Tostado-Sandia Academy Family Center Coordinator
Please join us in congratulating them!!
Contact Us
Operation School Bell
(760) 961-2468