Assistance League of Pomona Valley

Operation School Bell is the signature Philanthropic Program of National Assistance League®. This program provides new school clothing and hygiene supplies to students in grades kindergarten through sixth. The Pomona Valley Chapter has operated this program since 1998. Children are referred to the program by school staff and district Family Outreach Workers. Each child is accompanied by a volunteer and has a true shopping experience at the Chapter House. Racks and shelves are stocked with school clothing in all sizes and many colors. Through the years the amount of clothing provided has increased for each child. A child selects tops, underwear, socks, hooded sweatshirt, and leggings for girls and sweat pants for boys. Depending on budgetary allowances, pants, shoes and jackets are included. A major goal is to ensure each child does receive pants or jeans and jackets.

During the school year, there are five scheduled distributions serving 180 – 220 children on each day. Students are pre-approved based on family income levels. Additionally, children receiving treatment at the Dental Center are given the opportunity to “shop” after their initial appointment. During the scheduled distribution each family receives a hygiene pack that contains a supply of products from toothbrushes and paste to laundry detergent. Every child also selects a new book and a teddy bear. Bundles of clothing are also provided to the school district's Family Resource Center and the local Tri-City Mental Health Facility.

The Assault Survivor Kits program provides toiletries, new basic clothing and other necessary items to children, teens and adults who are victims of assault.

In 1992, Project Sister, another community organization, requested help with the people they serve. Their organization provides physical and emotional support to victims of sexual assault during and after hospital examination. Assistance League of Pomona Valley has been a partner with Project Sister since that time.

Chapter members collect and/or purchase supplies that will benefit clients who are examined in hospital emergency rooms. Articles include personal toiletry items from hair brush to deodorant, snacks, gum, paper and pens, new underwear, new sweat pants and shirts, tee-shirts, toys for younger children and teddy bears, if appropriate, to help distract children from the reporting and examination process.

In the beginning kits were for adult females but due to the need they are now age (child, youth, teen, adult) and gender specific..

Assistance League® of Pomona Valley volunteers provide stuffed bears for traumatized children. Bears are provided directly to local police, fire and paramedic agencies, as well as to other partner agencies for distribution to children involved in accidents or other traumatic situations.

Since 1987, when the professional auxiliary Les Fleurs initiated this program, thousands of teddy bears have been provided to traumatized children. Contracts with eleven police, fire or paramedic agencies have been fulfilled. Bears are given to children who are victims of child abuse, who are involved in traffic accidents and who are displaced due to fire or other traumatic situations.

An offshoot of the program in 2011 was an agreement with the Children's Advocacy Center that videotapes testimony of children for use in court/legal proceedings. We provide snacks and juice boxes in addition to teddy bears to hold and hug.

The Community Clothes Closet program provides gently used clothing, shoes and basic household items for families in crisis, displaced individuals and those reentering the work force. Assistance League of Pomona Valley volunteers donate and collect clothing donations to support this program.

As the eighth Assistance League Chapter charted in 1946, many philanthropic programs have been successfully implemented. One was a thrift store known as the Bargain Basket. After it closed, the community continued to donate items of clothing suitable for infants through adults. All items of gently used clothing are laundered or dry cleaned and hung on racks in an area in the Chapter House adjacent to the Operation School Bell program. During each Operation School Bell distribution, parents are encouraged to select items suitable for all members of their household. All are provided at no cost. An average of 80 bags are filled during each Operation School Bell Distribution. Overstocked clothing is passed on to churches and other groups who will provide them free of charge to the needy.

This program provides books, toys, clothing, food baskets, gift cards and other items to "Make Christmas happen" for families in need. All family members are included. This program is almost completely paid for by the member/volunteers who have accepted responsibility for each family helped.