Operation School Bell will go on, group says
The pandemic threw some obstacles at the Assistance League of Montgomery County, but they have a new plan to help area kids
With the uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, members of the Assistance League of Montgomery County want families in need to be confident in sending their children back to school looking their best.
For years the local Assistance League chapter has run Operation School Bell, a signature program of the national Assistance League organization. In a typical year, the local chapter would dress approximately 6,500 children with new school clothes.
Because of the pandemic this year, volunteers have had to shift how the Operation School Bell dressings happen. For example, the volunteers would usually host events where anywhere from 50 to 100 families would attend.
“We can’t do it that way this year,” said Gale Drummond, president of the Assistance League of Montgomery County.
Instead volunteers have worked on an alternative plan with local retailers including Kohl’s, JCPenney, Burlington and Walmart.
Rodgie Mann, chairman of Operation School Bell, said there is the possibility of doing more dressing events but with smaller numbers of participants in each event this year.
Both the families participating and the volunteers benefit from the program, Mann said.
“It is wonderful to go to the store with the kids and see them buy new clothing,” Mann said. “They are so excited, and the families are so grateful and thankful. It makes you feel good. We still want to try and have some of that for the members and our families. We’re trying to balance this somehow so we can do what’s best for everyone.”
A steering committee considered how the retailers want customers to shop as well as which volunteers aren’t yet ready to be out in the public.
The league works with school counselors to identify families who can benefit from the program, Drummond said. This year the league expects to be able to dress about 5,500 children.
Drummond said she’s grateful the stores are willing to work with them. Some people worried the program wouldn’t happen this year, she said.
“It’s all in the logistics, that’s kind of the way we roll this year,” Drummond said.
They are also considering issuing gift cards or sending the participating families letters and then the families can present the letters to shop on their own.
In a situation where a child needs clothing immediately, an emergency voucher can be issued by Assistance League of Montgomery County for purchases at Walmart.
Mann noted that they are typically finished with the dressings by Nov. 1. This year they’re just getting started and expect the clothing try-ons and purchases to continue in October and November and even into December if needed.
Funds gained from the Assistance League Thrift Shop in downtown Conroe help support the program.
Drummond said they are thankful to have the shop open now after it was closed for a time earlier in the pandemic. The Thrift Shop, at 125 N. San Jacinto, is currently open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. Donation days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Mann calls the Assistance League of Montgomery County’s operation a well-oiled machine.
“Everything just works because we’ve got a process,” she said. “Now when we’ve got changes, it’s still able to work because of these processes. It really is fulfilling to work here and be a part of this.”
For more information about the Assistance League of Montgomery County and its programs, go to facebook.com/AL.MontgomeryCounty or assistanceleague.org/montgomery-county.