Operation School Bell®

Operation School Bell is the national philanthropic program of Assistance League. It was started nearly fifty years ago by Ruth Ann Montgomery, a teacher at North Hollywood Junior High School in Los Angeles, California. Initially, used clothing was given to disadvantaged children. As the program grew, new clothing was substituted. Today, over 100 chapters and guilds clothe almost 200,000 children per year.

The Fullerton Chapter clothed 1,409 children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade in 2008 - 2009 from 26 schools. We give clothing (uniforms where required), shoes, hygiene kits, backpacks and books. The backpacks, hygiene kits and books are contributed by our professional women's auxiliary, Assistance League Professional Humanitarian Auxiliary. Volunteers help the children select their clothing. For many of these children, these are the first new clothes belonging solely to them. Our program runs from September through March every year. The children are selected by school nurses and teachers.