{"id":982,"date":"2021-07-26T07:00:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/al2.dev.confluencecorp.com\/boise\/?page_id=982"},"modified":"2025-09-28T16:05:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T23:05:35","slug":"operation-school-bell-elementary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/victor-valley\/what_we_do\/operation-school-bell-elementary\/","title":{"rendered":"Operation School Bell"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\"NAL<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0In 2024-25, <\/strong>Operation School Bell helped serve 1,291 students!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\"\"
\nOperation School Bell <\/strong>is our signature program that began in 1987.\u00a0 This program provides new school clothing to students in need. Students are referred through schools in the High Desert (TK – 12th grade) to attend one of our shopping events at Victor Valley’s retail stores.\u00a0 Volunteer members assist students and parents in the selection of school-appropriate clothing.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

The Beginning \u2014 <\/strong>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\u00a0Operation School Bell office and received two complete sets of school clothes and a winter coat from caring member volunteers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Result \u2014<\/strong> Since the Operation School Bell program began, over 36,000 local children have received school clothing. We now average 1,400 students and 20 clothing events per year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Operation School Bell\u00ae \u2013 2024\u20132025 Year-End Summary
\n<\/strong>\u00a0Supporting Students with Confidence, Comfort & Care Since 1987<\/em><\/p>\n

For nearly four decades, Operation School Bell\u00ae<\/strong> has been at the heart of Assistance League\u00ae of Victor Valley\u2019s mission. What began in 1987 with clothing for just 214 students has grown into a year-round effort that serves thousands across the High Desert. Today, children from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade are referred by school personnel to attend shopping events at local retail stores, where they select brand-new clothing and receive grooming kits. At each event, our volunteers are there in person\u2014helping students find clothing that fits their needs, their style, and their personalities.<\/p>\n

We have seen first-hand that when students feel confident and properly dressed, they walk into school with improved self-esteem, better attendance, stronger academic performance, and more positive interactions with both peers and teachers.<\/p>\n

Clothing Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This year, we invested $185,002<\/strong> into clothing and grooming kits for local students. Over the course of 15 shopping events<\/strong> at JC Penney, we clothed 1,291 students<\/strong> from all eight Victor Valley school districts: Adelanto, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Victor Elementary, Victor Union High, Helendale, Lucerne Valley, and Oro Grande. Since the program began, we have now clothed more than 38,500 students<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Each shopping event was powered by a dedicated team of 8\u201310 volunteers, contributing nearly 900 volunteer hours<\/strong> this year alone. And our commitment doesn\u2019t stop at scheduled events \u2014 when an urgent request comes in, we act. One such request from Adelanto USD led to the purchase of 200 pairs of shoes<\/strong> for students in need.<\/p>\n

School Supplies<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This year\u2019s reach extended beyond clothing. Thanks to the generosity of Trinity Lutheran Church in Victorville<\/strong>, we distributed 50 backpacks loaded with school supplies<\/strong> to students across the High Desert, ensuring they had the tools to learn and succeed.<\/p>\n

Hunger Relief<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Operation School Bell also addresses a basic but vital need: food security. Through our Hunger Initiative:<\/p>\n