The Woodlands Charities held two fundraising events; Chef Showdown in May and Into the Woods Halloween Party in October. Through the events, The Woodlands Charities raised $25,000 to go to the Assistance League’s Operation School Bell®. The funds raised are enough to buy new clothes for 250 school children.
‘The two events we had were so much fun and it was awesome knowing that everything we were doing was going to help kids in our community,’ Chairwoman Beverly Haak said. ‘It was so rewarding taking the money to Assistance League of Montgomery County during their meeting and seeing all the good the organization is doing.’
The program began in 1988. That year Assistance League clothed 33 children. Today, Operation School Bell serves all six school districts in the county with over 4,000 students receiving new schools annually.
‘Operation School Bell is just one of the programs that Assistance League has that makes a difference in the community,’ Director and Co-founder Amy Milstead said. ‘We chose to support this particular program, because when we were learning about it, it touched our hearts.’
Operation School Bell allows students to pick out their clothes from JCPenney, Walmart, Kohl’s and Burlington through partnerships. Assistance League also donates new school books and hosts literacy events.
‘Letting the kids pick out their new clothes gives the children a whole new sense of confidence,’ Director and Co-Founder Nina Marino said. ‘Some of the kids have never had anything new or been able to choose what they wear. Amazingly, every $100 donated to Assistance League clothes a child for a year.’
After Tropical Storm Imelda, many local families were left with nothing. Assistance League aided during this time to help replace the clothes children had lost during the flooding. The organization clothed 478 students and spent $47,775 in the weeks following the storm.
‘Assistance League is thrilled to receive this year’s award from The Woodlands Charities,’ President of Assistance League of Montgomery County Judy Love said. ‘We appreciate all of their hard work on our behalf.’
To learn more about the Assistance League Montgomery County and Operation School Bell, visit www.assistanceleague.org/montgomery-county/
