Although Allison Mudrick retired from the Portland Public School District in 1999, she has remained active in aiding children, focusing first on reading programs and more recently on childhood poverty. Now as chair of Assistance League of Greater Portland’s Operation School Bell, she is managing a community service program with an annual budget of more than $300,000 and more than 60 member volunteers.
“There were always a few children who didn’t have heavy coats, sweatshirts or shoes appropriate for chilly weather,” Allison says, recalling what she saw firsthand during her 30 years of teaching middle school. “With Operation School Bell, we give children new clothes that are clean and that fit. When we do that, we help prepare a child to learn and grow, to be the best they can.”
From Assistance League’s Beaverton headquarters, almost 3,000 children in need in the Beaverton and Hillsboro Public School Districts will benefit from the program this year.
A member of congregations Shaarie Torah and Neveh Shalom, Allison plans to develop more liaisons with local organizations and businesses to increase the impact of Operation School Bell. This year Operation School Bell received a grant from the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation.
“Community partnerships are essential to any program that needs to expand to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in the community,” says Allison.
Assistance League of Greater Portland is a local chapter of a national nonprofit member volunteer organization. Assistance League’s member volunteers provide four community service programs serving children and victims of violence.
In addition to grants, sponsorships and donations, funds for these programs are raised at Assistance League Thrift and Consignment Shop at 4000 SW 117th Ave. in Beaverton. For more information on the chapter or its thrift shop, visit their website: portland.assistanceleague.org.
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