ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SAN ANTONIO

OPERATION SCHOOL BELL (1991)The Operation School Bell program dresses children from elementary schools designated as Title 1. At-risk children identified by school personnel as having inadequate or inappropriate clothing for attending school. Services are provided in a variety of ways to meet the needs of the children and families. The preferred method is in-house dressing where children choose their own clothing with the assistance of volunteers. Each child selects two outfits, a jacket, socks, a pair of sneakers, underwear, a hygiene kit, and a book. A supply of jeans and tee shirts or polo shirts are provided to districts formerly requiring uniforms. Supplemental events, "Jacket Jamborees and Sneaker Scrambles," are held in selected schools to provide jackets or sneakers and socks to children to the entire school. The "Clothes Closet" project gives selected schools underwear, socks, pants and shirts to be used at their discretion for children in need. In 2023-2024, 17,683 elementary students were provided clothing, and 148 member volunteers contributed 6,052 volunteer hours in support of this program.

TOGS FOR TOTS (1988)The Togs for Tots program provides new clothing, hygiene kits, and books to children ranging in age from newborn to five years old. The supported children are identified by community agencies and Title I school Head Start and Pre-K programs in Bexar County. In 2023-2024, 6,592 children and their families were served by Togs for Tots, and 64 member volunteers contributed 4,047 hours in support of this program. Additional support was provided by Community Volunteers.