Local assistance league to hold Operation School Bell
The Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga, a local guild of the National Assistance League, has gotten Operation School Bell underway, which provides school supplies for elementary through high school students in the community who otherwise would start the new school year without backpacks and other needed supplies. The more underprivileged youths will also receive new jackets and shoes. The guild maintains the privacy of all students, with referrals coming through school administrators and nurses.
"In the spring of this year, our newly formed guild supplied backpacks and clothing to approximately 27 students in the Los Gatos schools, the cost of which was covered by our first winter fundraiser," says guild president Chrystie DeSoto. The fundraiser she refers to is Antique Show and Tell, which grossed more than $8,000.
"We expect to help more than 50 students in our local schools this fall, and our volunteers have begun shopping for supplies in anticipation of requests from school administrators."
Nationally, more than 100 National Assistance League guilds and chapters provide clothing and supplies to some 122,000 students, on budgets totaling more than $6 million. Operation School Bell's goal is to improve children's self-esteem, school attendance and ability to learn, thanks to having school supplies and clothes that are useful and also make them feel good.
In May, the Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga elected its first slate of officers: Chrystie DeSoto of Los Gatos, president; Jan Ehrhardt of Los Gatos, vice president of membership; Kathy Duryea of Los Gatos, vice president of philanthropy; Mary Swentzel of Saratoga, vice president of fundraising; Carole DeSantis of Saratoga, recording secretary; Kristine Burke of Los Gatos, treasurer; Shirley Johnson of Saratoga, education chairwoman; and Louise Webb of Saratoga, public relations chairwoman.
The National Assistance League has been in existence since 1935. Its mission statement reads: "To act as a friend at any and all times to men, women and children in need of care, guidance and assistance, spiritually, materially and physically."
The Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga welcomes new members. For more information, call Jan Ehrhardt at 408.356.4274 or write to P.O. Box 320455, Los Gatos, 95032.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
