Operation School Bell®

Anne Banning and her best friend, Ada Laughlin, founded Assistance League in 1919. Initial programs were characterized by a desire to provide support to low-income children and families. Now, 103 years later, their work is being continued by many volunteers who have that same goal. Operation School Bell® is Assistance League® of Santa Clarita’s signature program. It supports children in need, providing brand new school clothing, shoes, vision screening and eyeglasses, thus empowering them to succeed in school. This year we have helped over 1400 students in the Santa Clarita Valley school district’s 55 schools from grades Traditional Kindergarten through twelfth grade and College of the Canyons. Having new clothes helps students feel better about going to school, fitting in with their peers, and having the tools for success. New eyeglasses help them to better see the board or read their books. Children come away with more than new items; they leave with a sense of joy, heightened self-esteem, and hope for the future.
During the last two months, shopping events were held at our local Old Navy and JCPenney stores. Students were excited to be able to select their own outfits. Assistance League Santa Clarita volunteers were on hand to help them discover the best values, find their sizes, favorite colors, etc. A big thank you goes out to Jan Ladd, Melanie Cotterell, Marcia Weldon and their team of volunteers who participated in making these special shopping events successful! Many Assistance League volunteers are former teachers and school principals, who have a heart for helping students.
Funds for Operation School Bell are provided by proceeds from our resale store and our generous donors. When caring community members work together, all of our children can look forward to bright futures.
For more information, visit us our website – www.assistanceleaguesantaclarita.org. See us on Facebook– Assistance League of Santa Clarita, Instagram–@AssistanceLeagueSantaClarita