Program Gives Kids School Uniforms

As part of its Operation School Bell “blitz,” the Assistance League of Ventura County gave uniforms to more than 60 students at Fremont Intermediate School.

The children, all from low-income families, received two uniforms that included a pair of shoes, socks, underwear and a jacket, along with toiletries and school supplies, said Sue Puckett, campaign chairwoman.

“We want to be uniform in every sense of the word,” Puckett said. “We want every child to have self-esteem and be on an equal footing with everyone else so that quality education will take place.”

Since January, Operation School Bell, founded locally in 1994, has helped more than 700 children. The effort is part of a philanthropic project by Assistance League chapters nationwide to provide new clothes to underprivileged school children.

“This is just a great program that so many families benefit from,” said Orlinda Ventura, coordinator for the Harrington Family Center After-School Program, which serves low-income families. “We like it because it takes a lot of the guesswork out of clothing children from low-income families. This program provides blue and white uniforms for children in need. This is exactly what Oxnard needs.”

The Assistance League depends largely on fund-raisers, grants and donations, which enables the nonprofit group to purchase the uniforms and shoes from Wal-Mart, Costco, Target, Shoe Connection and other area clothing outlets.

Puckett said the success of the project is readily seen in the faces of the children who have the renewed sense of self-esteem that a new set of clothing can provide.

“For some of these children, it is the first new outfit and shoes they have ever had,” Puckett said.