Assistance League volunteers help students shop for clothes and shoes at Kohl’s department store.
Operation School Bell® is a signature program for Assistance League of Redlands, which partners with the local Kohl’s department store to set up shopping trips for economically disadvantaged K-5 elementary school students.
Twenty-two elementary schools participate in the Operation School Bell program. Assistance League of Redlands reaches out to Redlands Unified School District, Highland and Yucaipa/Calimesa Joint School District. The program chairman sends invitations to the schools and counselors or coordinators, then sends referrals to Assistance League of Redlands.
Each fall and spring, parents and their students shop at Kohl’s on a chosen date for school clothes and shoes. Assistance League of Redlands volunteers help at the registration tables, and with price check, to assure students receive up to $100 a child for appropriate school items.
Assistance League volunteers assist Kohl’s cashiers at check-out.
As one second-grade student said, “I feel happy picking out my own clothes and a cool pair of shoes.”
The program is funded through the Assistance League of Redlands Thrift Shop, which is operated by volunteers. Last year, Assistance League of Redlands provided clothing for 1,200 students. Together we are improving lives in our community one child at a time.
